Career Center

www.unca.edu/career

Career Counseling and Advising

The mission of the Career Center is to provide UNC Asheville students and graduates with comprehensive guidance and services for their lifelong career development.

Services are designed to provide education about career options, guidance toward experiential activities, training in career planning strategies and contacts for employment, internships and educational opportunities. The Career Center is conveniently located in Highsmith University Union, second level. Students are welcome to explore graduate schools in the Career Resource Library; make appointments to speak personally with a Career Counselor about occupational choices, to resumes or internship opportunities; and search the online resources for career information, new jobs and internship opportunities through the online posting system. The Career Center’s goal is to help students make career connections.           

Career counselors and volunteer career advisors are available to meet with students one-on-one about their career decisions, plans and search strategies. Students should schedule appointments or visit during walk-in hours (Wednesday and Thursday, 2–4 p.m.). Students are encouraged to understand themselves and their interests in relation to the world of work by taking the Strong Interest Inventory and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality inventory. A counselor will interpret the results and help students learn how to apply their gifts in making decisions about academic majors and career paths.

Events to Explore Majors, Jobs and Careers

The Career Center sponsors the Choosing a Major Fair, Career and Graduate School Fair, and Career and Internship Fair throughout the academic year. These are excellent opportunities to see first-hand the many options for full- and part-time work in this area and around the country, while speaking personally with representatives. More than 100 organizations usually participate in the fairs, often held in Alumni Hall of Highsmith Union. Employers often are interested in teaching UNC Asheville students about their organizations and available job opportunities. These information-sharing tables and sessions, taking place at the fairs and other events throughout the year, promoted widely to students. Community members are invited to review the Career Center Web site (www.unca.edu/career), use the career library resources and computers, and attend job fairs and workshops.

The World of Work Career Interest Trips, held during Spring Break, introduce students to careers, organizations, alumni and professionals in selected major U.S. cities. This exciting career exploration and networking opportunity is sponsored by the UNC Asheville Parents Association. Many students, who have been to Washington and New York on recent trips, have said the experience changed their lives and set them on the right career path!

Career Library

The Career Center Library has more than 500 resources for students to learn about majors, careers, job search strategies, job and internship opportunities, graduate schools, and work issues. Computers are also available for students as they research and apply for opportunities related to their careers. The Vault Online Career Library is a new career exploration and job search prep resource, funded by the Parents Association.

Career Education Workshops and Courses

Career counselors annually give 150 presentations to students in classrooms and workshop series. Academic departments also sponsor career exploration workshops throughout the year. In addition, the Career Center sponsors three credit-based academic courses: Career and Educational Decision-Making (HWP 156), Career Development through Internship Experiences (HWP 272) and Career and Life Planning (HWP 340).

Student Employment Program

UNC Asheville has more than 500 on-campus jobs for students enrolled in 6 or more credit hours. Students are able to work 20 hours a week during the academic year and up to 40 hours during semester breaks and the summer months. Depending on the job skills requirement, wages range from $6 to $10/hour. Federally funded work-study positions are available for eligible students to work on-campus or in off-campus community service positions. Student employment positions are promoted through the weekly Career Center newsletter and online at www.unca.edu/career.

Internship Program

Students may pursue credit-based internships through their majors and a second internship related to their career interests through the Career Center. Credit-based internships typically are accompanied by a departmental course that allows students to connect their academic curriculum to the applied experience. Students can meet with the academic department faculty internship liaison or a Career Center counselor to discuss the internship search process. Both credit and non-credit internships are listed online.

Mentor Network Program

Alumni are available for e-mail networking through our online job and internship posting system. These alumni volunteers, currently working in many fields, can teach you first-hand what it’s like in the workforce. Students can explore career and internship options, develop a professional network, and gain informational interview skills.

Graduate School/Job Search Strategies        

Many students seek a graduate degree immediately after graduation or within a few years. Graduate school advising, program resources and testing information may be found in the Career Center. Graduate school test-prep courses are offered through Continuing Education (www.unca.edu/sprog/ce/). Advising, print guidelines such as brochures and booklets, and online resources are available for students as they develop their job search skills. Specific services include job search guidance, job listings, cover letter and resume critiques, practice interviews, and negotiating job offers and salary advice.

Alumni Services

Alumni who earned an UNC Asheville bachelor’s or graduate degree have lifetime access to Career Center services. Graduates conducting job searches or exploring career transitions are encouraged to meet with a counselor and register online through our opportunity posting system

Posting Service

See www.UNCAcareercenterpostings.com. The Career Center subscribes to many job, networking and internship posting services at www.unca.edu/career/jobs.html. Many are password-protected or available only through e-mail or the Career Library.

More Information

UNC Asheville Career Center
259 Highsmith Union, CPO #1240
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804-8501
828.251.6515
Fax: 828.251.6871
career@unca.edu