By: Alora Peters, Contributing Writer
Finding a job or internship can be a difficult, stressful, and draining process that sometimes proves to be utterly fruitless. But it doesn’t always have to be this way.
That is exactly why the Career Services department at Saint Leo University has partnered with Handshake, so that they can provide the best tools and resources possible to students who are looking for the opportunity to truly shine in the workplace.
Handshake is a job-scouting and personal-branding program that is available to all Saint Leo students. As long as an alumnus has access to his or her Okta account and login information, Handshake remains open and accessible for all past and present Lions.
Students on Handshake can create their profiles and customize their accounts to make themselves visible to and interact with employers, alumni, and fellow students. Via the platform, students can list work experience, completed college courses, organization memberships, and other academic or extracurricular achievements.
Students can also upload documents such as resumes, cover letters, completed projects, and a professional photo. Handshake, in other words, gives students the opportunity to construct academic and professional self-portraits to show employers their accomplishments and their potential. Essentially, Handshake is similar to the popular social media platform, LinkedIn.
What makes Handshake special is that employers who have posted available jobs, positions, and internships on Handshake are looking specifically for Saint Leo University students. Employers listed on Handshake have requested students with the specific skills, majors, and experiences that Saint Leo students already have or are currently learning and developing.
However, Handshake and Career Services offer far more than simply a platform for Saint Leo students to connect with the professional workforce. Via the virtual Career Center, students can access hundreds of resources, including live events and recorded lectures on a variety of topics, ranging from developing soft skills for a resume to choosing a future career pathway. Furthermore, students can make an appointment with a Career Services staff member to learn about job search strategies, review a resume or cover letter, prepare for an interview, and discuss salary negotiation.
Students also have access to 24/7 assistance via tutor.com, another free online resource accessible from the Career Center.
This article may read like a paid advertisement for Handshake, but it is undeniable that Handshake is an invaluable asset that Saint Leo students should take advantage of.
Students who have not already done so are encouraged to make an account and check out the platform to see just exactly what Handshake has to offer.
Using Hanshake is simple and easy. The interface is simple to learn and takes about five minutes to get your profile up. (See both pictures to see the interface.)
