Alumni Resources

The Center for Career and Professional Development and the Alumni Affairs office offer a variety of opportunities and support. These offerings range from broad networking and affiliation to specific services and tools. They include formal and informal job shadowing, internship and job listing services and job searching assistance, guest speaking, career counseling and consultation, and on-campus recruiting. Please see below for some potential places to start. Remember you can always reach out at 828-227-7133, careerservices@wcu.edu, or by visiting us at our office in the Reid Building Room 150 (it's on the backside of the building!).

What Can We Help You With Today?

Young Alumni Involvement

Alumni Association

Mentoring Students

CAREER ASSISTANCE

Recruiting INTERNS

Learn About DegreePlus

Hiring Students

GRADUATE SCHOOL

 

Mentoring Students

Alumni have a unique opportunity to impact the lives of Western Carolina University students. One of the best ways to make an impact is to become involved in mentoring, job shadowing, or other student support programming.

• If you are an Asheville area alumni/employer consider becoming a mentor in the NEXT AVL program.
• Email us for information about our Alumni Career Shadow program offered in different cities each year. 

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Career Assistance

The Center for Career & Professional Development offers services for alumni. We are happy to review your resume, make suggestions about job markets if you are changing jobs, provide counseling for those of you who may want to change careers and give you access to our online job program JobCat. These services and events are free for alumni to attend and participate in. Alumni who are interested in any of our services should contact us at 828-227-7133.

• Our Career Guide is our go-to resource for many career related questions. 
• Editable word versions of our resumes included in the Career Guide
  • Resume Example 1
  • Resume Example 2
  • Resume Example 3
  • Resume Example 4
  • Resume Example 5
  • Resume Example 6
  • Resume Example 7
• Start by utilizing WCU's job/internship posting system Job Cat for local and national opportunities.
• Try using Buzzfile's list of employers in North Carolina.
• NC Tower provides information on NC graduates employment rates, wages, and graduate data.
• We also have career resources that are dedicated to specific student/alumni groups.
• Email us to utilize Big Interview to practice your interview skills and learn about salary negotiation.
• Learn how to network, it is the single best way to find a job opportunity. 
• Book an appointment or visit our Career Studio for one-on-one help. 
• Attend our workshops and events to learn more about these topics!
• Check out our YouTube page for recorded webinars and workshops.

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Recruiting Interns

Alumni play an important role in providing opportunities for current Western Carolina University students. Working actively with your current employer to consider recruiting WCU students for internship opportunities helps to provide avenues to viable employment options. Work closely with your supervisor and organization's Human Resources office to get started.

• Check out our internship guidelines for employer partners that outline WCU's requirements.
• Make sure to understand the Fair Labor Standards Act that outlines paid vs unpaid internships.
• Read through the 15 Best Practices for Internship Programs by NACE.
• If you work in an organization supporting the community consider hosting a SECU Public Fellow Intern..
• Work with a representative who has an office on Capitol Hill? Consider supporting our Capitol Hill Program.
• Post your positions as an employer on our Job Cat site for students and alumni to view.

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Learn About DegreePlus

Western Carolina is in the business of changing lives. We do that not simply by delivering degrees but by teaching, mentoring and inspiring students to discover their passions and their life paths. Our students learn more than just the content of their disciplines; they are taught to lead, to work in teams, to be professionals, and to respond appropriately to cultures different than their own.

• Visit the DegreePlus website to learn how this program prepares students for the workplace and grad school.
• Watch our YouTube video about DegreePlus.
• Take a look at the DegreePlus Events that are offered for students.
• We also offer a DegreePlus Digital program that is available for our distance and Biltmore Park students.

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Hiring Students

The Center for Career and Professional Development welcomes alumni employers to multiple recruitment events annually and allows on-campus recruiting arranged through our office. Consider participating in one of our recruitment opportunities to connect with WCU students.

• Post your positions as an employer on our Job Cat site for students and alumni to view.
• Sign-up to participate in info sessions, on-campus interviewing, mock interviews, or career fairs.
• Read through our recruitment policies before participating in recruitment at WCU.
• Work one-on-one with a member of our Employer Relations Team to develoip a recruitment plan.

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Graduate School

Choosing to further your education is an important step in broadening career options. For some, a graduate-level degree is a requirement in their field of study; for others, a graduate degree will make them more marketable and competitive in today’s ever-changing world of work.

• Our Career Guide will help you learn how to write a CV or personal statement.
• Visit Western Carolina University's website  to learn more about applying to graduate school at WCU!
• Book an appointment or visit our Career Studio for one-on-one help. 
• Attend our workshops and events to learn more about this topic!
• Check out our YouTube page for recorded webinars and workshops.

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