Connect with CDS
The Career Development Services Center (CDS) offers a range of resources to help students throughout their career journey. CDS promotes career preparation by providing students with the tools needed to make effective career-planning decisions.
Whether students need assistance with writing a resume, conducting a job search, securing a co-op/internship or a full-time career opportunity we are here to assist.
Students should think of career development as a process that begins early in their college experience and continues throughout their lives. Become familiar with the CDS Center and the resources offered by registering with our office.
HOW to get connected
- STEP 1: RESUME CREATION
- Review the online resume guides and follow the instructions provided in the Resume Guide for your college.
- Use the resume template provided in the resume section to create your customized resume.
- Name and save your resume in this format: Last Name, First Name, Major.
- Schedule an appointment with a CDS Counselor or visit the office to participate in a 15-minute drop-in resume critique. Please bring a hard copy at the time of the review.
- STEP 2: ACCOUNT ACTIVATION
- Activate your profile in Handshake. Some of your information will already be in your Handshake profile.
- Complete your profile by uploading the CDS APPROVED resume to your completed profile in Handshake. The Handshake application is integrated with AAMU single sign-on. Log into your single sign on account to access Handshake.
- STEP 3: PRACTICE INTERVIEWING
Participate in an Interviewing Skills Workshop, a mock interview to become eligible to participate in on-campus interviews (i.e. Interview Day, employer-requested campus interviews).
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Note: Use your AAMU Bulldog university-issued email account to log into the online resources mentioned above.
Online Services
Handshake is a platform that connects students with internships, jobs and career opportunities. Use Handshake to find workshops, events and other career development programs hosted by the CDS Center. The Handshake application is integrated with AAMU single sign-on. Log into your single sign on account to access Handshake.
FOCUS 2 CAREER is an interactive online career and education planning platform that helps students make informed decisions about their academic and professional futures. Through a series of self-assessments and exercises, students can:
- Evaluate their interests, skills, and readiness for career planning.
- Explore academic majors offered at Alabama A&M University.
- Discover and compare potential career paths aligned with their strengths and goals.
This intuitive tool empowers students to identify opportunities, plan their next steps, and build confidence in their career journey. Access is quick and convenient through the university’s Single Sign-On (SSO) system.
GETTING 澳门金沙城中心_波音赌场下载-真人appED:
The new Single Sign-On (SSO) passwordless solution allows you to access Alabama A&M University applications—such as Blackboard, Banner, and Email—using only your username, eliminating the need to remember or manage passwords. Below are step-by-step instructions on to access the Focus 2 application.
Login to the 澳门金沙城中心_波音赌场下载-真人app： Portal using a computer
- Click the "澳门金沙城中心_波音赌场下载-真人app： Sign-In" button on the 澳门金沙城中心_波音赌场下载-真人app： webpage
- On the login page enter your username, "first part of your email address before the @ in your email address" and click "Next"
- On the second login page, make sure Authentication type says "Octopus Authenticator" and click "Login"
- Open the Octopus Authenticator app on your phone or tablet and click "Approve"
- You will now have access to the 澳门金沙城中心_波音赌场下载-真人app： portal!
- You will need to type Focus 2 in the search bar
- Click on the application to begin use
If you have trouble accessing SSO, please use the link below for helpful information. /myaamu/index.html
USING FOCUS 2:
You may complete the assessments in any order. Be sure to save your results and explore the majors and occupations that interest you. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your results in more detail, please contact your career counselor.
/campus-life/student-support/career-development/meet-our-team.html
PASSION Is The Difference Between Having A JOB or Having A CAREER
Take one or both of the FREE Personality Tests to determine who you truly are
Taking a personality test will allow you to find a career you love by matching your personality, interests, values to real-world careers. The free, 15-minute test, based on the Holland Code and Big Five Systems, measures key personality factors to show the exact careers that suit your strengths.
Truity
- To get started, just click the following link:
- Truity Holland Code Career Test
- Click Career Test or Take It
- After completing the test, click; unlock sample report (this report is free)
- For questions or concerns; please see your career counselor or ORI Professor
The Princeton Review Career Quiz
- To get started, just click the following link:
- The Princeton Review Career Quiz
- Read each pair of phrases and select the one that best describes you, then click continue
- After completing the test, click; unlock sample report (this report is free)
- For questions or concerns; please see your career counselor or ORI Professor
Skills First
- GPT-Powered Resume Building
- Resume Builder
Revolutionize your members' job applications with Skills First’s AI-powered Resume Builder. With advanced technology, expert guidance, and now customizable AI scans for premium customers, our tool equips your organization to craft polished resumes that stand out in the competitive job market.
Students may access the Skills First resume software application by logging into their single sign-on (SSO) account. Once logged into SSO, type the words, Skills First in the search field. A new window will open. Upload your current resume or build a new resume in the software application.
Roadmap to your future
-
YEAR 1
Goal: Build Your Brand & Get Involved
- Strive for a strong GPA (3.0 +)
- Participate in campus events.
- Have Fun!
- Join clubs and organizations
- Review the on-line resume guide and create a strong collegiate resume
- Get your your resume approved by CDS
- Create a profile in Handshake (Log into your single sign on account to access Handshake)
- Invest in your professional wardrobe for interviews and more; visit the CDS Career Closet, if needed
- Research and apply for part-time jobs, internships, co-ops and job shadowing
- Attend CDS events, employer info sessions, workshops and career fairs
-
YEAR 2
Goal: Begin Your Career Search
- Strive to earn a strong GPA (3.0 +)
- Check in with your CDS Career Counselor
- Attend CDS events, employer info sessions, workshops and career fairs
- Request informational interviews and job shadowing with professionals in your field of interest
- Update your resume and include memberships and class projects related to your major
- Practice interviewing via mock interviews
- Update your professional wardrobe
- Meet professionals who can serve as mentors and provide references
- Join or, if already a member, seek leadership roles with student clubs
- Build a LinkedIn profile with a professional headshot
- Actively use Handshake to apply for internships, co-ops and special programs—Apply early! For some majors, more opportunities are available in the junior year, so don’t be discouraged. Log into your single sign on account to access Handshake.
- Ensure that you are meeting graduation requirements
-
YEAR 3
Goal: Secure an Internship/Co-op
- Maintain a strong GPA (3.0 +)
- Meet with a CDS Career Counselor
- Actively use Handshake to apply for co-ops and internships — remember to apply early!
- Attend CDS events, employer info sessions, workshops and career fairs
- Pursue a leadership position with a student organization
- Considering graduate school? Explore school and program options
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile
- Practice interviewing via mock interviews
- Tailor class projects and research papers around your career interests
- Ensure that you are meeting graduation requirements
-
YEAR 4
Goal: Launch Your Career
- Meet with CDS Career Counselor
- Start the job search and application process early
- Attend career fairs and employer information sessions to secure career opportunities
- Take graduate school admission tests, write personal statements, cover letters and follow deadlines. Better early than late!
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile
- Evaluate your preferred geographical region and conduct salary research specific to your location
- Continue to network with friends, family, employers, and alumni; keep them updated on your job search
- Stay involved in student activities
- Complete the First Destination Survey
- Request reference letters
-
Graduate School
Goal: Advance Your Career
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile at least once a year
- Attend career fairs, employer information sessions and conferences aligned with your area of study
- Evaluate your preferred geographical region and conduct salary research specific to your location
- Start the job search and application process early
- Meet graduation requirements by completing the First Destination Survey
