UVU: Career & Internship Center supports soon-to-be graduates in their job search

Courtesy UVU Marketing
The Utah Valley University Career & Internship Center helps soon-to-be graduates navigate their job search and land their first jobs.The transition from college graduation to employment can feel overwhelming and, in some cases, downright scary. The team at Utah Valley University’s Career & Internship Center (CIC) is here to help soon-to-be graduates navigate their job search and land their first jobs.
To begin their job search, graduates must first identify the types of roles and industries they are interested in. Career & Internship Center advisors assist graduates in this critical process. For those outside of the university without access to personalized career services, they recommend seeking a mentor who can provide guidance in clarifying these career goals.
Advisors acknowledge it is common for students to feel overwhelmed as graduation approaches. Stacie Brown, a CIC career advisor, emphasized the value of personalized guidance. “Some students come in unsure of where to start,” she said. “After meeting with us, they leave with a plan, a sense of hope and a clear direction.”
Through one-on-one coaching and workshops, soon-to-be graduates gain essential job-seeking skills, including resume and cover letter writing, elevator pitches, interview techniques and networking strategies. They also receive free headshots, interview attire tips, information on career fairs and access to a database of employers and job listings.
Misty Hansen, a career advisor at the CIC, sees firsthand how these services make a difference. “Some of the feedback I hear the most from students is how much more comfortable they feel after a mock interview,” Hansen said. “They know what types of questions to expect and how to present their skills in a professional way.”
Some students can feel a disconnect as industries and technology evolve and change quickly. The advisors work hard to keep students ahead of these changes and trends. This includes integrating new technology like artificial intelligence into career preparation.
“With AI being a hot topic, we make it a priority to teach students how to use these tools ethically and effectively to enhance their resumes and job applications,” Hansen said.
Understanding the skills employers are seeking is also a significant part of the center’s work. Employers are constantly adjusting the skill sets they seek in candidates, and the center shares this information with students based on their desired career paths.
The center also connects students to employers through the biannual Career and Internship Fair, which features hundreds of companies from diverse industries. This event provides students the opportunity to network, explore job and internship options, and learn what employers seek. Open to all UVU students, the fair attracts representatives from many companies who attend to recruit UVU graduates.
The center also focuses on helping students secure internships in their fields of study, which offer two key benefits: hands-on experience in their chosen field and, for many, job offers from the companies where they interned.
“When students utilize everything we offer — such as the Career and Internship Fair, resume help, interview practice, job search strategies — they take their career readiness to the next level,” Brown said. “It’s amazing to see their hard work and dedication pay off.”
As UVU continues to grow, so does its commitment to student success. The Career and Internship Center plays a role in helping graduates enter the workforce with confidence and industry knowledge. While many students may face the nerves of graduating, these resources will help them take their first professional steps.
Kacie Huff is a student employee for Utah Valley University Public Relations.