Students

Not sure what the Career Center is and what we have to offer? Here are our office’s Services Overview Guidebook and Handout!

Handshake is La Salle’s job and internship posting board with listings that include positions on campus and at locations throughout the Philadelphia region, the United States, and beyond. In addition to being a job search tool, you can also search and sign up for events and career fairs on campus.

Our On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) program brings major corporations, companies, social service and non-profit organizations, and government agencies to La Salle’s campus to interview students seeking full-time employment, internships, and co-ops. Taking place in the Career Center office in Founders’ Hall, 128, Fall semester interviews are conducted from mid-September to mid-November and Spring semester interviews typically run from early-February to mid-April.

Need help getting started with networking? The Career Center can help!

Networking can help you build mutually beneficial professional connections. While networking doesn’t directly land you in the position of your dreams, every connection can be of assistance to you and your career growth. Read these useful tools to learn more about mastering networking:

How to Network on LinkedIn – 7 Proven Steps 2022 

4 Networking Email Templates 

Networking Email Templates to Expand Your Network

Virtual career fairs can be accessed through Handshake under the Events page. You can register and select whether you’d like to attend a virtual one-on-one or group session with an employer.

On the day of the registered virtual session, you and the employer can determine whether you’d like to connect through chat, video, or audio. Sessions can be joined 5 minutes prior to start time, and you should prepare for your virtual session by researching the employer you’re meeting with, bringing an updated resume, and by dressing professionally!

For more tips for your virtual interview:

Troubleshooting

Handshake’s Guide to Attending a Virtual Fair

10 Virtual Fair Tips you Need to Know

Students can browse and apply for on-campus jobs through Handshake. The below steps should be taken to work on campus:

1. Check to see if you have Federal Work-Study Money
   • Access your mylasalle portal
   • Type “BR. LUWIS” in the search bar at the top
   • Select the “Financial Aid” tab. Click on “How much am I receiving?”
   • Click on the blue word “awarded” and select the “Award Overview” tab
   • The award amount should be listed under “Funds” in the “Work-Study” row.
   • If you have been awarded Work-Study you can apply to all jobs that have “Work-Study” or “FWS” in the name
   • If you do NOT have work-study you are able to contact Financial Aid to be placed on a waiting list, or to pursue Budget within Handshake!
2. Make sure your resume is APPROVED by a Career Center staff member in Handshake
   • The Career Center provides feedback on every resume uploaded to Handshake, be sure to review and follow the recommendations
   • Schedule an appointment in Handshake 
   • Attend a drop-in session in-person in Founder Hall 128 or virtually in Handshake.
3. Find and apply to jobs in Handshake
   1. Access Handshake via the Portal (search “Handshake in the search bar).
   2. Once you are in Handshake click “Jobs” on the home page and filter through jobs by clicking the “on-campus” button to see all open positions.
4. Get Hired! Submit Paperwork to Human Resouces
   • If you are a graduate assistant, budget, or FWS student worker your supervisor will need to fill out a hiring form at least 3 days prior to your start date on your behalf
   • Graduate Assistant Hiring Form
   • (Undergraduate) Student Hiring Form
   • If you have never held an on-campus job before you will need to complete the New Hire Packet.
   • To submit to Human Resources for processing you must have 2 (two) forms of ID (ie. Driver’s License, Passport, Social Security Card etc.)

At the Career Center, we’ll help you develop the behaviors, skills, and knowledge for a successful transition into life beyond La Salle.

• Critical thinking and information literacy: the ability to obtain, interpret, and use data and facts to reach a conclusion to a problem and to use sound judgement and autonomy when problem solving.
• Professionalism and Adaptability: Ability to learn from mistakes and welcome feedback, demonstrate effective work habits, respect peers and co-workers’ privacy in a professional and team setting, and handle change and shift strategy in response to the situation.
• Oral and Written Communication: clearly articulates thoughts and ideas through written and spoken word, ability to adapt writing for appropriate audiences, generates and delivers messages effectively and in a timely manner, and utilizes these skills in team settings.
• Digital Technology: leverage existing digital technologies, adapts to new and emerging technologies, and understands the use of technology related to your major and future career.
• Leadership and Collaborative Engagement: listens to ideas and concerns of others, delegates work to other members of a team by identifying their strengths, manage conflict, and takes initiative to start projects based on intrinsic reward.
• Global and Diverse Perspectives: values, respects, and learns from other cultures, religions, races, and sexual orientations; recognize the history, values, beliefs, and practices of other cultures; and supports and promotes a safe environment for all cultures, religions, races, and sexual orientations.
• Self-Awareness and Development: understand when to ask questions when stuck on a problem or project, appreciate continuous learning opportunities, remain resilient when faced with failure or demanding projects, and identify personal skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences to inform career decisions and world views.

The Explorer Shadow Program is a one-day shadow experience that allows La Salle students to observe a professional in a specific job or organization. As a joint effort between the Career Center, Alumni Engagement, and participating departments and programs, the Explorer Shadow Program allows students to explore a career field of interest, gain first-hand knowledge of a real work environment, and explore possible opportunities for a future career.

To apply to the Explorer Shadow program:

Fall 2023 Explorer Shadow Program Application

Spring 2024 Explorer Shadow Program Application

For additional questions or information, reach out to shadow@lasalle.edu

Unsure about what to wear to a job or career fair? Read our professional dress guide, and follow us on Instagram for more tips. If you need professional clothing, be sure to stop by our Career Closet located in Founders’ Hall, Room 128.

Choosing a major is a big decision that may require research to ensure it is an appropriate fit for your strengths, goals, and needs. The Career Center offers resources that allow for self-exploration and awareness so that you can make informed decisions and move at your own pace.

The Focus 2 Self-Assessment is a great first step in exploring a major or career path. At the end of each assessment, you are given a list of career options that match your results. Remember, the results are just career areas to explore. We recommend that you schedule an appointment to speak with a Career Counselor to discuss and create a plan for next steps. 

• As a first time user, you will need to register.
• Fill out the registration information and use the access code “explorers” then click “Continue”.
• Once on the Focus 2 home page, take all five assessments in the “Self-assessment” section.
• Explore other areas of the Focus 2 site!

Register and take the Focus 2 Self-Assessment

   * Don’t forget to use access code, “explorers”.

Learn more about the Focus 2 Self-Assessment

Resumes are typically your first impression on a potential employer. It’s best to market yourself in a position that clearly articulates your abilities and experiences in a professional and well-written manner.  

Sample Resume for All Majors:

La Salle Resume-Erika Explorer (PDF)

La Salle Resume – Erika Explorer (Word Document)

Sample Resumes by Major:

Undergraduate:

• Accounting
• Biology
• BUSCA
• Business Administration
• Business Systems & Analytics
• Chemistry
• Communication – Media & Journalism
• Communication Sciences & Disorders
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Criminal Justice & Sociology
• Economics
• Education Elementary
• Environmental Science
• Finance
• ISBT
• Management and Leadership
• Marketing and International Business
• Nursing
• Nutrition
• Political Science and International Relations
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Social Work

Graduate

• Marketing (MBA)
• Professional Clinical Counseling (MA)
• Computer Information Science (MS)
• Speech-Language Pathology (MS)

Elaborate on your resume by writing a cover letter that highlights two or three specific reasons you are a great fit for the role. Cover letters should always be personalized and tailored to the role or employer to which you are applying.

Tips for writing a cover letter:

• Write a new, unique cover letter for each position that you apply to.
• Always address your cover letter to a specific person.
• To find out the hiring manager, call the organization, search LinkedIn, or ask a connection in your network if they know of a name (the Career Center, faculty member, or someone else may be able to assist).
• Write about what YOU have to offer the company – what do YOU bring to the table?
• Research the company. Write about how you connect to the company’s mission, vision, values, community outreach, etc.
• Add some personality while also keeping it professional.
• Always write a cover letter with a specific job description in front of you.

Cover Letter Writing Guide

Finding a job or internship takes time and energy. Preparing yourself prior to starting the internship or job search process will help you stay motivated! 

Handshake:

• Fill out your Handshake profile and add a professional head shot photo 
• Upload your resume. Once approved*, you can apply to any position in Handshake as long as you meet the position’s requirements. 
• Favorite companies so that you can stay up-to-date on the positions that they post! 
• * When you upload a resume to Handshake, it can take up to 3 business days to be reviewed. An upload to the system does not guarantee approval. Once reviewed, you will receive notification of approval or if changes need to be made.  

Job Search Strategies:

When conducting a job or internship search, you’ll find that there is not just “one right way”. However, the Career Center does have suggestions that can guide you in the direction that works best for you and your goals. 

Job Search Checklist

Beyond individualized sessions that will help you polish your interviewing skills, keep in mind the below information to prepare for a job or internship interview:

• Research the organization: be sure to gain a foundational understanding of the organization or company you are interviewing with. Your research should help you gain an understanding of the organization’s mission and values, community impact, history and growth trajectory, most recent annual report, and initiatives and programs. After conducting the research, ask yourself: how do you align with the company’s mission, community service, and future vision?
• Practice your interviewing skills with Career Center resources such as mock interviews.
• Dress for Success: it’s best to over-dress for an interview, networking event, or job fair rather than wear a casual outfit. Dress in business professional attire by wearing dark-colored conservative suits, solid colors or subtle patterns, collared shirts or blouses, and by keeping your hair and face clean with minimal makeup and jewelry.
• Send Thank You Letters and Emails: After an interview or job shadow experience, it’s proper etiquette to send a thank you to those you met with. Avoid emails that address more than one person – always send a thank you emails or letters individually.