Career Services provides students with the tools they need to succeed in today’s job market. We maintain close partnerships with industry leaders, who regularly connect with our students through information sessions, lobby tabling, career fairs, on-campus interviewing and more. Our strong connection to industry coupled with our workshops, seminars, office hours, and drop-in advising allow us to empower our students to successfully reach their professional goals.
ECS Career Services – Here for You.
15-Minute Drop In Assistance with Career Coaches
Sarah M. Mack
Director, Student Success and Career Services
Jennifer Fazio
Assistant Director for Employer Relations and Career Services
Chelsey Franza
Career Advisor
Shelby Bergen
Career Advisor
Connect With Your Career Advisor – You can schedule an appointment with you assigned Career Advisor via Handshake.
Internships
Students are strongly encouraged to obtain an internship. Internships provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the field. Some students have the opportunity to take advantage of part-time internships during the school year. This option is only available if a local company has a need and the student has ten to twenty hours a week free in their schedule. You should speak with your Career and Faculty advisors to discuss the feasibility of this option.
Co-ops
The College of Engineering and Computer Science’s co-operative education option provides undergraduate students with an exciting opportunity to graduate from Syracuse University having multiple semesters of paid work experience.
Because participating in a co-op often requires a student to work during the fall or spring semester and not take classes, students must work with their Career Advisor to ensure that there is a clear understanding and plan in place for completion of this experience
The co-op Program is optional and open to all students in good academic standing. To participate, a student must:
- Consult with their:
- Career Advisor
- Program Director
- Financial Aid Advisor
- Family
- Contact housing and make necessary arrangements for their absence from campus
- Register for ECS 370.
- A zero credit, pass/fail course that maintains the student’s full time student status in the university system while they are absent from campus. This course is free.
- Students and their supervisor(s) will be asked to complete a mid and post experience survey in order to be able to have a grade assigned at the conclusion of the experience.
Career Planning by Class Year
Freshmen
A small percent of students obtain summer internships following their first year. For the majority of freshmen it is important for them to gain as much insight into their chosen field as possible. To prepare, freshmen should:
- Attend ECS Explorers sessions – beyond those required for ECS 101.
- Spring Semester: students are encouraged to meet with their assigned Career Advisor to discuss their post-graduation goals and develop a plan for success. All students will need to meet with their Career Advisor by the end of their sophomore year.
- Attend and participate in career development activities hosted by ECS Career Services such as:
- Workshops (ie: tools for your search, resumes, branding, networking, mock interviews, etc)
- Employer Information Sessions
- Career Fair(s)
- Alumni Mentoring Programs
- Notify their Career Advisor if they obtain an internship or research experience
Sophomores
It is highly recommended that students seek an internship during the summer following their second year. Two summers of engineering internships will position students to competitively enter the job market during their senior year. In fact, it is common practice for employers to convert their third year interns to full time employees. To prepare, sophomores should:
- Meet with their Career Advisor – a meeting is required by the end of your sophomore year.
- Have a resume uploaded to Vmock and review it with your Career Advisor.
- Attend and participate in career development activities hosted by ECS Career Services such as:
- Workshops (ie: tools for your search, resumes, branding, networking, mock interviews, etc)
- Employer Information Sessions
- Career Fair(s)
- Alumni Mentoring Programs
- Seek opportunities to work in labs on campus for researched based majors
- Notify their Career Advisor when they obtain an internship or research experience
- Before leaving a summer internship, express interest in returning the following summer
Juniors
It is common practice for employers to convert their third year interns to full time hires. Therefore, by junior year, students should be well prepared to either return to a previous summer internship or utilize every option available to obtain a new one. To prepare, juniors should:
- Meet with their Career Advisor to discuss current experience(s) and ensure their resume has been appropriately updated and develop a career development strategy for the upcoming year.
- Attend and participate in career development activities hosted by ECS Career Services such as:
- Workshops (ie: tools for your search, resumes, branding, networking, mock interviews, etc)
- Employer Information Sessions
- Career Fair(s)
- Alumni Mentoring Programs
- Be diligent and flexible about seeking an opportunity
- Notify their Career Advisor when they obtain an internship or research experience
- Before leaving a summer internship express interest and apply for openings
Seniors
Students who have actively sought and obtained internships and research opportunities are well positioned to competitively seek consideration for a full time position. To reach this goal, seniors should:
- Meet with their Career Advisor to discuss current experience(s) and ensure their resume has been appropriately updated and develop a career development strategy for the upcoming year.
- Attend and participate in career development activities hosted by ECS Career Services such as:
- Workshops (ie: tools for your search, resumes, branding, networking, mock interviews, etc)
- Employer Information Sessions
- Career Fair(s)
- Alumni Mentoring Programs
- Be diligent and flexible about seeking an opportunity
- APPLY, APPLY, APPLY…
- Complete the First-Destination Survey to let ECS Career Services know your post-graduation plans.
- This information helps us celebrate your accomplishments, and your peers in their own internship/research/full-time opportunity search.
Resources Offered to Students
Career Preparation
Beginning in September, when students arrive on campus each year, the College’s Career Services Office conducts various events that are targeted toward preparing students for career week activities and beyond. We encourage every student to visit the College’s Career Service Office and make a connection with staff for assistance. Below are the primary events that students can participate in to prepare themselves for a successful career outcome.
Visit Handshake for the most up-to-date list of upcoming opportunities.
Workshops
The workshops focus on, but are not limited to:
- Resume preparation
- Interview preparation
- How to prepare for the career fair
- Job search strategies
- Social media presence, such as LinkedIn
One-on-One Meetings
Students should use Handshake to sign up for a career advising appointment with their assigned Career Advisor.
Drop-In Sessions
Drop-In sessions are another avenue where students can obtain career advice. A drop-in appointment is typically a 15-minute session with career coaches. Drop-in sessions are posted on the door of 121 Link Hall. Emails will go out as career fairs approach with expanded hours.
Undergraduate/Graduate Students
Get Help With:
- Tools for your internship/job search
- General resume questions
- Upcoming Career Development Events
- Undergraduate Students: Need More Assistance? Schedule an appointment with your assigned Career Advisor via Handshake.
- Master’s Students: New More Assistance? Connect with the Office of Professional and Career Development in the Graduate School
Schedule:
- Mondays: 9:30am-12:30pm
- Tuesdays: 9:30am-2pm; 3-5pm
- Wednesdays: 8:30am-2pm
- Thursdays: 9am-12pm; 2-5pm
- Fridays: 9:30am-2pm
Mock Interviews
Mock interviews are an ideal way to work out the nervous kinks that are common during interviews. Each semester employers sign up to assist our students by conducting mock interviews. The mock interviews consist of a 20-minute “formal” interview and a 10-minute feedback session.
Emails will go out to students when there are opportunities. They can also be seen in Handshake.
Job Shadow
During the winter school break, the College alumni sign up to host a current student who lives in the same location as the alumnus. Job shadowing is a wonderful opportunity to connect with someone in the field who is willing to share professional career advice.
Industry Tours
The College offers all expenses paid visits to engineering and computer science firms. Students must be in good standing to participate as the tours usually require a full day commitment. Many of these tours are organized in partnership with professors or student organizations. Open slots will be visible in Handshake.
Career Fairs
Each semester, the College’s Career Services office offers engineering specific career fairs during what is called “Career Week”. In addition to the career fairs, during career week, a number of events focused on connecting students with potential employers are held in the College. In an effort to hire students for internships, co-op, and full-time openings, many employers take full advantage of participating in career week events such as lobby tabling, info sessions, and conducting interviews.
Keep up to date on all of these events by checking Handshake often.
Helpful Resources
Career Fair Guidelines
Visit Resources under the Career Centers tab when logged into Handshake for a career fair guide.
Careers by Simplicity App
Job Search