Frequently Asked Questions

When should my student begin to utilize the CDC?
What can my student do with a major in Philosophy, English, Pyschology or another liberal arts major?
What if my student doesn’t like the major they’ve chosen?
What help is available if my student can’t decide on a major?
Can I visit and/or meet with a career counselor to discuss my student’s career options?
Can I attend the appointment with my student?
Where can I find information on career events taking place at BU?
Do you have resources for locating internships?
What help is available if my student can’t decide on a major?
What can my student do to enhance their chances of finding a good job?
How important is GPA when looking for a job?

When should my student begin to utilize the CDC?
It is never too early for your student to take advantage of the services offered by the CDC.  We encourage students to visit the office during their first or second year to discover the variety of services offered.  Many students use their first semester to “settle into” college life, and so perhaps the spring semester of the freshmen year is the optimal time to start using CDC services.  The CDC can help with choosing a major, exploring career options, and making the decisions.  A student is welcome to visit and utilize the CDC at any time during their stay here at Binghamton and later, as a Binghamton alum. 

What can my student do with a major in Philosophy, English, Psychology or other liberal arts major?
With the proper experience, skills and planning, a student can enter almost any career field with any major.  While some employers prefer certain majors there are many who will consider a candidate with any major who has the skills and experience they seek.  It is important to look at the total educational experience at BU rather than expecting one’s major alone to provide career preparation.  If a student majors in a topic they enjoy, they tend to be a better student and thus obtain good grades.  Outside of the classroom, it is important for students to test and develop their transferable skills that will make them more marketable to employers.  The CDC can assist your student with planning for the career of their choice. 

What if my student doesn’t like the major they’ve chosen?
Many students often change their mind regarding their major.  If your student is pursuing a particular major and realizes it is not for them, encourage them to talk to a career counselor in CDC who can help them evaluate their options and explore other majors.  It is ok for students to try a major and decide they do not like it.  Check out ‘Choosing a Major’.

Can I visit and/or meet with a career counselor to discuss my student’s career options?
We are happy to provide parents and family members with information regarding our services and resources.  However, a university student needs to assume responsibility for their own career development and decisions and take the necessary steps to obtain the help they need.  Please let your student know that counselors in CDC will be happy to meet with them to discuss their career concerns. 

Can I attend the appointment with my student?
College students have reached the stage in their life when they need to take over as the manager of their own career.  It is in your student’s best interest to speak and act on their own behalf at appointments, job fairs, internship or job interviews. Hold yourself back from going too far in your efforts to help.  This could hurt your student’s prospects, not to mention their self-respect.

Where can I find information on career events taking place at BU?
Visit the CDC’s website and click on Programs & Events (link here).  All workshops, fairs, events, and programs will be listed here along with date and time. 

Do you have resources for locating internships?
The CDC has various resources available for students performing an internship search.  eRecruiting is available to all undergraduate students.  Employers have posted both paid and unpaid internship opportunities.  Also, the Internship section of our website offers additional internship search engines as well as resources to aid in the internship search.  The Alumni Career Network is also a great resource to help students identify Binghamton graduates to contact.

What help is available if my student can’t decide on a major?
The CDC offers a variety of assistance to students on choosing a major.  Visit Choosing a Major section of the CDC website for resources such as “What Can I Do With a Major?”, the Alumni Career Network, and the Career Resource Library.  We also suggest that a student meet with a counselor to discuss possible majors relative to their interests.  Majors do not need to be declared until the end of the sophomore year.  The first two years can be utilized by your student to determine the best possible major for them. 

What can my student do to enhance their chances of finding a good job?
There are many things a student can do to increase their chances of finding a good job.  First, is to choose a major they enjoy and in which they can excel.   Next, is to gain marketable and relevant experience through volunteer work, internships, extracurricular activities, and classroom projects.  Encourage your student to visit the CDC for help with resume and cover letter preparation as well as to ensure they are utilizing all of the services available to them in their job search.  Lastly, networking is extremely important.  The more contacts a student has, the better their chances of getting their foot through the door.  Introduce your student to contacts in your own network and encourage them to utilize the Alumni Career Network as well. 

How important is GPA when looking for a job?
Good question.  Many employers use GPA as a screening tool for entry level positions, especially in competitive fields.  Some employers use GPA cutoffs in considering applicants. Other employers stress the student's overall background: experience, number of hours worked during the school year to finance college, leadership activities, etc. The best candidate is typically one who has challenged themselves, communicates well, presents him/herself professionally, has a positive attitude, and is genuinely interested in the career field.