Career Centers: The One-Stop Shop to Career Success

Are you a college student, a recent graduate, or someone looking for a new career? Don’t sleep on the valuable resources offered by career centers!

But what is a career center, and can you use one even if you’re not a student? We’ll dive into those questions and more.

Let’s get to it!

What is a Career Center?

A career center is a dedicated office or service that provides a variety of resources to help individuals explore career options, develop professional skills, and find jobs. Career centers, or job centers, are common on college campuses, but can also be found in your local community.

School Career Centers

Some high schools offer college and career centers to guide students with internships, college applications, technical training, military service, job readiness skills, and other career options.

Most colleges and universities offer robust services through their career centers. Campus career centers help students and alumni connect their education to different career paths.

Larger schools will also offer specialized career centers.

Program-Specific Career Centers

Some degree programs have their own career centers, focusing on the unique needs of their students. These centers offer specialized guidance and resources relevant to specific fields, helping students gain industry-specific skills and connections.

For example, the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Business has their own career center, the Office of Professional Development. Tiffany Hughes, Chief of Operations at UCF College of Business, said this about program-specific career centers.

“When thinking about career center resources, it’s important to recognize the full range of opportunities available—not just a single service. No matter where you are in your academic journey or what experiences you bring, we offer resources to support your next steps. At the UCF College of Business, one commonly overlooked resource is our dedicated Employer Relations team. This team plays a key role in connecting students directly with employers specifically targeting business students. They help facilitate conversations, job shadowing, and mentoring opportunities, opening doors to valuable professional connections.”

Alumni Career Centers

While alumni can certainly utilize certain services by their campus career center, centers specifically for alumni go a step further. Alumni career centers help graduates stay connected with their alma mater, and they provide ongoing career development resources, networking opportunities, and job search assistance.

Career centers aren’t only for students and graduates, though. There are other options available to anyone, regardless of educational background.

American Job Centers

American Job Centers (AJCs) are government-funded facilities that provide employment and training services to job seekers. Nearly 2,300 AJCs are located throughout the US. There are two types of AJCs, and they offer different levels of support.

Comprehensive American Job Centers: Provide a full array of employment and training related services for workers, youth and businesses. These locations include the mandatory Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) partners on-site.
Affiliate American Job Centers: Provide limited employment and training related services for workers, youth, and businesses. These locations do not include all the mandatory WIOA partners (i.e., Veterans, Vocational Rehabilitation) on-site.

Many of these resources are available online if there isn’t an American Job Center near you. For example, WorkSource Metro Atlanta has 12 locations across the Atlanta metro area, but they also have a robust website that features on-demand webinars, job listings, and other resources.

Career Center Services

We’ve briefly mentioned some of the resources available at career centers. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll find at a career center. Keep in mind that services will vary among career centers. Campus career centers offer resources distinct from AJCs and vice versa.

Resume and Cover Letter Advising

Career counselors advise job seekers on how to write effective resumes and cover letters that highlight your skills and experience. They offer personalized feedback to ensure your application materials stand out to potential employers. Typically, you need to schedule an appointment for resume and cover letter advising.

If there’s a long wait to meet with a career adviser, start by reading through our resume and cover letter tips.

Career Counseling

Career counseling services help you explore your interests, strengths, and career goals. Counselors provide personalized guidance to help you make informed decisions about your career path and develop a strategic plan to achieve your objectives.

Here’s a quick look at what career counseling might entail:

Get information about education and training schools, such as their tuition and success in placing students in jobs
Get help obtaining financial aid for job training
Learn about jobs in demand and pay rates
Assess your career interests
Learn about jobs and careers suitable for you
Assess your reading and math skills
Improve your reading, writing, and math skills

Hughes shared this insight about career counseling.

“Many students feel intimidated or experience imposter syndrome when stepping into a career center, believing they need to have a clear plan before meeting with a Career Coach. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Career Services teams are there to meet students wherever they are in their journey—whether they’re still exploring majors, searching for internships, or evaluating job offers for post-graduation roles. The team is ready to provide guidance and support, no matter the stage or challenge. They’re dedicated to helping students in any way they need, as they take the next step in their professional development.”

Professional Development Workshops

These workshops cover a range of topics, from interview techniques to networking strategies. They are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the job market.

If your nearest career center doesn’t offer professional development workshops, you can learn from Insight Global’s College to Career Series.

Job Search Resources

Career centers offer access to job listings, internship opportunities, and employer databases. They also provide tools and resources to help you effectively search for and apply to jobs.

Here’s a quick look at what some job search resources might include:

Post your resume for employers to see
Share job-search strategies with other job seekers (job club)
Learn how to start your own business
Get help finding childcare
Learn about what employers expect of their workers
Get help in finding a summer job or internship

Career Fairs

Career fairs are events where employers and job seekers come together. These events provide an excellent opportunity to network with potential employers, learn about job openings, and attend professional development workshops. Both campus career centers and AJCs host career fairs.

In 2022, Insight Global launched our own mobile career fair, the Be the Light Tour. We visit cities across the US, offering services like:

Career-readiness workshops
One-on-one career consultations with hiring experts
LinkedIn headshot studio
Career networking

On-Site Interviews

Many career centers coordinate on-campus or on-site interviews. This allows students or job seekers to meet with employers directly on their college campus or at their local AJC. This service streamlines the job search process and provides convenient access to potential job opportunities.

Find Your Next Career with Insight Global

We’ve compiled our best job seeker tips into one place, our Job Seeker Resources page. We also offer a free resume editing checklist to help you put your best foot forward.

Interested in working for Insight Global? Look for your next job opportunity by searching our job board or applying for an in-house position. Connect with us on LinkedIn for the most up-to-date opportunities and additional job search resources.