Career Readiness

i-Prep is a flexible, self-paced internship prep program open to all students. Design your own program from a curated list of skill-building experiences, workshops, and special events.

Students who complete the i-Prep program will earn a digital badge from Credly, a D2L certificate, and a monetary stipend to apply towards their financial aid award.

Check the WIEL Center D2L resource site for more information about joining i-Prep!

Interviewing is a skill that requires preparation and practice. Learn effective strategies and tips to shine yourself in the best light when interviewing for a new position.

Schedule a mock interview appointment that matches the modality of your next interview (phone, video, Zoom, or in-person). Practicing out loud, with just-in-time, expert feedback, truly makes a difference in your confidence and focus during the interview process. Check our WIEL Center D2L resource site for a curated list of interview resources!

Is your 30 second ‘elevator speech’ in your head, ready to recite at a moment’s notice? Hone your personal pitch as part of your personal branding and networking strategy to make meaningful connections from chance encounters and serendipitous opportunities.

A polished personal pitch highlights your unique skills, interests, and area(s) of expertise. Work with an NHCC career advisor to craft your personal pitch today!

As a proven career exploration strategy, job shadowing is a practice that helps students gain insightful knowledge into a particular career pathway by following an industry professional in their workplace setting. Beyond watching a ‘day-in-the-life’ video, job shadow provides a first-hand opportunity to observe working conditions, professional behaviors, and job responsibilities.

Leverage NHCC’s employer relationships and industry contacts by requesting a job shadow opportunity as part of your degree and career exploration today!

Informational interviews are a career exploration strategy to gain insight into the career paths of current industry professionals. It is a structured process through specific outreach with a stated goal to the professional, a time limit and location identified, prepared questions, and essential follow-up. Consult with our Career Services staff for coaching through this important process.

LinkedIn is a social media platform that specializes in fostering professional networks and building industry connections. You do not need to be an established professional to join LinkedIn. In fact, the earlier you join the more time you will have to build your network. LinkedIn is also great for job searching, staying up to date with industry trends, and attending events sponsored by professional organizations.

When creating your LinkedIn profile, begin by identifying your unique attributes that set you apart from other people and build your personal brand around that theme. Consider tying in a hobby or passion that gets you excited and motivated to make a difference in the workplace and world. Your banner, headshot, title, and ‘About’ section should complement each other to tell your unique story.

Check our WIEL Center D2L resource site for great articles from LinkedIn to help you build your personal page. Contact us for a complementary LinkedIn review and leverage the networking platform to your advantage.

Sample Behaviors with Career & Self-Development Skills:

• Show an awareness of own strengths and areas for development.
• Identify areas for continual growth while pursuing and applying feedback.
• Develop plans and goals for one’s future career.
• Professionally advocate for oneself and others.
• Display curiosity; seek out opportunities to learn.
• Assume duties or positions that will help one progress professionally.
• Establish, maintain, and/or leverage relationships with people who can help one professionally.
• Seek and embrace development opportunities.
• Voluntarily participate in further education, training, or other events to support one’s career.

Sample Behaviors for Communication Skills:

• Understand the importance of and demonstrate verbal, written, and non-verbal/body language, abilities.
• Employ active listening, persuasion, and influencing skills.
• Communicate in a clear and organized manner so that others can effectively understand.
• Frame communication with respect to diversity of learning styles, varied individual communication abilities, and cultural differences.
• Ask appropriate questions for specific information from supervisors, specialists, and others.
• Promptly inform relevant others when needing guidance with assigned tasks.

Sample Behaviors for Critical Thinking:

• Make decisions and solve problems using sound, inclusive reasoning and judgment.
• Gather and analyze information from a diverse set of sources and individuals to fully understand a problem.
• Proactively anticipate needs and prioritize action steps.
• Accurately summarize and interpret data with an awareness of personal biases that may impact outcomes.
• Effectively communicate actions and rationale, recognizing the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of stakeholders.
• Multi-task well in a fast-paced environment.

Sample Behaviors for Equity & Inclusion:

• Solicit and use feedback from multiple cultural perspectives to make inclusive and equity-minded decisions.
• Actively contribute to inclusive and equitable practices that influence individual and systemic change.
• Advocate for inclusion, equitable practices, justice, and empowerment for historically marginalized communities.
• Seek global cross-cultural interactions and experiences that enhance one’s understanding of people from different demographic groups and that leads to personal growth.
• Keep an open mind to diverse ideas and new ways of thinking.
• Identify resources and eliminate barriers resulting from individual and systemic racism, inequities, and biases.
• Demonstrate flexibility by adapting to diverse environments.
• Address systems of privilege that limit opportunities for members of historically marginalized communities.

Sample Behaviors for Leadership:

• Inspire, persuade, and motivate self and others under a shared vision.
• Seek out and leverage diverse resources and feedback from others to inform direction.
• Use innovative thinking to go beyond traditional methods.
• Serve as a role model to others by approaching tasks with confidence and a positive attitude.
• Motivate and inspire others by encouraging them and by building mutual trust.
• Plan, initiate, manage, complete and evaluate projects.

Sample Behaviors for Professionalism:

• Act equitably with integrity and accountability to self, others, and the organization.
• Maintain a positive personal brand in alignment with organization and personal career values.
• Be present and prepared.
• Demonstrate dependability (e.g., report consistently for work or meetings).
• Prioritize and complete tasks to accomplish organizational goals.
• Consistently meet or exceed goals and expectations.
• Have an attention to detail, resulting in few if any errors in their work.
• Show a high level of dedication toward doing a good job

Sample Behaviors for Teamwork:

• Listen carefully to others, taking time to understand and ask appropriate questions without interrupting.
• Effectively manage conflict, interact with and respect diverse personalities, and meet ambiguity with resilience.
• Be accountable for individual and team responsibilities and deliverables.
• Employ personal strengths, knowledge, and talents to complement those of others.
• Exercise the ability to compromise and be agile.
• Collaborate with others to achieve common goals.
• Build strong, positive working relationships with supervisor and team members/coworkers.

Sample Behaviors for Technology:

• Navigate change and be open to learning new technologies.
• Use technology to improve efficiency and productivity of their work.
• Identify appropriate technology for completing specific tasks.
• Manage technology to integrate information to support relevant, effective, and timely decision-making.
• Quickly adapt to new or unfamiliar technologies.
• Manipulate information, construct ideas, and use technology to achieve strategic goals.