Contact Us
Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Contact:
Fernando, Gihan S
Executive Director
Butler Pavilion, Room 5th Floor
Career Center 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8033-8011 United StatesCareer Center Statement on Combating Racism
Black Lives Matter. Read our statement and actions to combat racism in our work.
Operating Updates
The Career Center is here for you at this uncertain time. All of our services are now available online. See below for AU Forward: The Plan for Spring 2021 FAQs.
- Employer recruiting events and career advisor webinars and chats are now hosted on virtual platforms. See Upcoming Events below for details.
- Career advising appointments are taking place through Zoom. For appointment requests outside the hours available in Handshake, please email careercenter@american.edu.
- Need quick advice? Stop by virtual peer advisor drop-ins (drop-ins will resume in January 2021).
- From January 25th, 2021 to February 25th, 2021 we are piloting a Virtual Front Desk. Drop in Mondays and Thursdays between 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. and/or 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. ET via Zoom to get help from our Front Desk Staff! Join here.
Questions? Contact us at careercenter@american.edu. Our hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.
Visit AU’s COVID-19 Resources page for the latest information.
Your COVID-19 Career Planning “To Do” List
Learn how to focus your job search below and visit our Virtual Career Planning during COVID-19 page to for the latest advice and resources to help you adapt your efforts for a virtual job search.
Organize Yourself
Treat job searching as a full-time job. Find a quiet place or time where you can focus on your work with limited interruptions. Develop a routine or schedule based around your most productive time of day. Break down your job search into smaller manageable tasks to reduce your stress and increase your productivity. Keep track of your work and make plans to contact/follow up with people in your network.
Adapt Your Plans
You can still work on your “Plan A”, but you should also develop back-up plans (yes, more than one). These plans may not represent your ideal career goals, but they can help develop your skills and eventually find your path back to Plan A. If the organizations or sectors you are interested in are not hiring right now, explore the industries that are.
Meet with an Advisor
There are jobs and internships out there, and we are here to help you find and apply to them! Schedule an appointment with a career advisor, stop by express appointments, or attend a virtual drop-in with a Peer Advisor. We are eager to bring you personalized career advice and coaching.
Continue Learning & Skill Building
As you search for an internship or job, explore other ways to build your skills and experiences. Consider micro internships and the gig economy. Pursue service learning or volunteer opportunities. Take free online courses through LinkedIn Learning (access through the AU Portal) or external platforms. Take advantage of AU’s free training resources, such as OIT’s Technical Training Workshops and CTRL’s Research Software Workshops.
Build (Virtual) Job Search Skills
Learn best practices for virtual interviewing and working remotely, while building your foundational job search skills. Knowing how to network, find jobs, brand yourself, tailor resumes and cover letters, and interview is essential for conducting a successful job search at any time.
Build Relationships
In-person networking may be on hold, but you can use virtual platforms to build authentic relationships with working professionals and AU alumni. Identify people who have jobs you want or who work at organizations you are interested in. Contact them to request virtual informational interviews.
Attend Employer Events
Connect with hiring organizations that are actively recruiting AU students through our online Upcoming Events calendar (see below). Attend virtual fairs and information sessions to connect with representatives and demonstrate your interest in their organizations.
Stay Current
Read our Monday Recruiting Newsletter. Regularly check our Virtual Career Planning during COVID-19 page and search Handshake for updates. And follow @AUCareerCenter on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Upcoming Events
Career Fairs and Networking Events
All fairs and networking events are virtual.
Spring Job & Internship Fair Prep Events
1/26 | 1 - 2 p.m. | How to Prepare for the Virtual Job & Internship Fair
1/27 | 1 - 2 p.m. | How to Prepare for the Fair: Resumes
1/28 | 2 - 3 p.m. | How to Prepare for Fair: Crafting Your Elevator Pitch
2/1 | 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. | How to Prepare for the Fair: Networking with Alumni
2/1 | 12 - 4 p.m. | Resume Station Drop-Ins
2/2 | 3 - 7 p.m. | Resume Station Drop-Ins
2/2 | 6 - 7 p.m. | Get the Most out of Your Virtual Fair: Student Training Webinar - hosted by Handshake
2/3 | 1 - 4 p.m. | Spring Job & Internship Fair - if you have questions during the fair, please stop by our Candidate Resource Zoom Room. Want to share your resume with an employer at the fair? Add it to their resume drop on Handshake until 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, February 4.
2/19 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Virtual 2021 Government, Education & Non-Profit Career Fair
2/25 | 2 - 5 p.m. | Marketing and Communication Industry Fair
2/26 | 1 - 4 p.m. | GW Virtual Internship Fair
2/27 | 10 - 4 p.m. | National Nucleaur Security Administration Fair
Career Center Webinars & Chats
2/10 | 1-2 p.m. | Building Professional Relationships Using Virtual Tools
2/16 | 6-8 p.m. | Handling Interviews with Artificial Intelligence Systems
3/16 | 6-8 p.m. | Using Social Media in Your Search
3/18 | 1-2 p.m. | Utilizing LinkedIn in Your Search
3/25 | 6-8 p.m. | Advanced Strategies & Tactics
3/31 | 4-5 p.m. | Federal Resumes & USAJobs
4/6 | 5-6 p.m. | Resumes & Cover Letters
4/13 | 12-1 p.m. | The Challenge of Interviewing
Employer-in-Residence/Recruiter Chats/Office Hours
All Employer-in-Residence (EiR)events are virtual. If an EiR is full or if you cannot attend the virtual date, still click 'Apply' in Handshake and a copy of your resume will be sent to the employer.
Please review our program policies & learn how to sign up for these opportunities.
Employer Meet-Ups & Webinars
All Employer Meet-Ups are virtual.
1/20 | 1-2:30 p.m. | City Year New York Virtual Shadow Day
Previously Recorded
Previously Recorded Advisor Webinars
4/21 | Successful Employment Negotiations: Overcoming Feelings of Panic & Powerlessness
4/22 | Networking in Uncertain Times: Building Professional Relationships Using Virtual Tools
4/29 | Utilizing LinkedIn for the Job Search in the Time of COVID-19
5/20 | C-19 Threw a Curveball at My Career: How Do I Adapt?
6/2 - 7/22 Job Searching in Times of Uncertainty Summer Webinar Series
9/8 - How to Prep for the Virtual Fall Job & Internship Fair
9/9 - How to Prepare for the Virtual Fall Job & Internship Fair: Resumes 101
9/10 - How to Prepare for Fair: Crafting Your Elevator Pitch
Previously Recorded Networking Events and Industry Panels
4/2/20 | Data Science and Analytics Networking Webinar
10/8/20 | Self-Advocacy in the Workplace Panel
10/14/20 | Health Programs in Action Panel
Career Guides by Major
Not sure what your career path might be, or how your major can help you get there? Use our career guides to explore the skills you'll develop through your coursework, how you can apply them in a variety of fields, and where to learn more about industries related to your major.
Connect with AU alumni for help with everything from general career advice to job opportunities. Sign up with your LinkedIn or Facebook account.
Career Center Library
The Career Resource Library contains more than 400 books and 17 periodicals. Come browse our collection and check materials out for up to four weeks. Enjoy free coffee and tea and a quiet place to work. Receive immediate support from trained peer advisors.
Achievements
AU Celebrates Fulbright Scholars
The highly competitive Fulbright US Scholars Program honored 11 American University alumni and one PhD student with awards to carry out self-designed research projects or teach English during the 2020–2021 academic year.
Achievements
Diversity in Diplomacy
Highly competitive fellowships honor outstanding young people bound for foreign service careers, reward excellence, and encourage underrepresented groups.
Achievements
Abigail Veitch ’21 Awarded Udall Scholarship
Abigail “Abbie” Veitch (environmental studies and communications ’21) has been awarded a prestigious Udall Scholarship from the Udall Foundation in recognition of her leadership, public service, and commitment to environmental issues.
Alumni
Job Searching During COVID-19: Britt Jacovich
Britt Jacovich, 2020 SPA/SOC recent graduate and alumni of the Career Center's Peer Advisor program was hired as a press assistant for Allied Progress in DC, where she'll start after graduation. Britt shares some insight on her job search, how the AU Career Center has helped her along the way, and tips on how to stay proactive in your own hunt to find a job!
Alumni
Ugoeze's Story: World Bank
Learn how SIS alumna Ugoeze Achilike (SIS/BA '17) landed a full-time, paid position at the World Bank Visitor Center after getting her foot in the door as a volunteer.
Alumni
What Students Have to Say: Dira Hanifah
Alum and former international student Dira (CAS/BA '18) talks about meeting with Career Center advisor Marie for mock interviewing, and about recognizing and talking about your skills.
AU Forward: The Plan for Spring 2021 - Career FAQs
- Will I be able to meet with career advisor to learn about my career options?
- Will I be able to find a part-time job on or off-campus?
- What will internships look like – will they be available?
-
Has the process for registering an internship credit changed?
-
Will merit awards (national scholarships) continue, and can I apply for them?
Will I be able to meet with career advisor to learn about my career options?
Yes, you can! The Career Center transitioned all its services, including career advising appointments, education programs, and recruiting events, to online platforms in March 2020. Check the Operating Updates above for the latest information.
Will I be able to find a part-time job on or off-campus?
There are jobs out there and we are here to help you find and apply to them. Explore AU’s Student Jobs website, paying particular attention to the FAQs to identify which legal documents you will need to present at the time of hire. On-campus positions are posted on the AU Human Resources Student Jobs page. Check this page periodically for new positions.
You can schedule an appointment with a career advisor to craft your application materials. All incoming first-year students will be given access to Handshake, our career management platform, in mid-July. You can use Handshake to schedule career advising appointments and look for off-campus professional opportunities.
What will internships look like – will they be available?
Many employers have shifted internships to an online format or have hybrid models that have remote and in-person capability. Some employers are being creative and are offering different models of experience-building such as micro-internships, short-term experiences that allow you to work on a focused project or one or two. Handshake internship listings are a great place to start your search, and check in with a career advisor if you’d like more guidance.
Has the process for registering an internship credit changed?
The process for receiving approval for internship credit has not changed. A student should contact their academic advisor to learn the specific process for their school. If a student has been offered an internship and would like to receive academic credit they should have their academic advisor review the internship job description to see if credit is an option. Their advisor will work with them on completing the necessary information on the Internship Registration Form.
Will I be able to develop professional contacts?
Employers and alumni are eager to connect with AU students to provide career-related information, advice, and opportunities. From this summer on, you will have multiple opportunities to develop your professional network at AU. Virtual one-on-one consultations, panels, networking events, alumni conversations, and job fairs will provide lots of opportunities to make connections. If you haven’t already, make sure to sign up for Alumnifire, a networking platform that allows AU students and alumni to connect easily. Speak with a career advisor about developing your LinkedIn profile and take advantage of that powerful platform to full effect.
Will merit awards (national scholarships) continue, and can I apply for them?
Yes. Nationally competitive scholarship programs will continue to make awards in the coming academic year. Those that fund study abroad or cohort-based programming may adjust their dates or convert their programming into an online format if the pandemic continues to affect travel. The Office of Merit Awards will continue to raise awareness of scholarship opportunities through information sessions, workshops, and one-on-one advising. Group sessions and individual advising will be offered virtually until we are able to resume in-person services. Most awards require you to be at least a second-year college student at time of application.