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Welcome Students! We're here to help you succeed.

Did you know that a high grade point average (GPA) and a college degree will not guarantee you a job? In today’s market, employers are saying that graduates are not equipped to make the transition from college to the real world of work. Whether your goal is to work in corporate America, become a professional athlete, continue your education to become a doctor, lawyer, dentist, pharmacist or business professional, YOU need career development! The Office of Career Services is here to assist you with your professional development so that you will be prepared to make the transition from student to professional. Get started today and be connected to a personal career coach that will help you develop a 4-5 year plan for success. We will invest in YOU, if you invest in yourself.

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Registering with Career Services is easy!

You must complete all of the listed steps below.

Start by clicking the Handshake link here or the graphic below:

Having trouble with login? Call 870-575-8461 for assistance.

Update your profile information:

Click on your name at the top of the screen, then go to MY PROFILE
Update the needed information

Upload your resume:

Locate the Resume Template by clicking on CAREER CENTER, then RESOURCES
Choose Resume Style 1 (under attachments)
Use the template to create your resume as a MS Word document
Click on your name at the top right of the screen, then click DOCUMENTS
Follow the prompts to locate and upload the resume to Handshake

Schedule an appointment with the career coach of your major:

Go to CAREER CENTER
Click APPOINTMENTS
Choose a category and appointment type
Choose your Career Coach under STAFF MEMBER
Choose the best available time and date for the appointment

Mrs. Tracy Knowlton knowltont@uapb.edu				Mrs. Stephanie Branscomb branscombs@uapb.edu
All STEM Majors Animal Science, Plant and Soil Science & Agriculture Engineering				All School of Business & Management, Agriculture Business/Economics, School of Education, Aquaculture Fisheries, Human Sciences & Regulatory Science, Mass Communications, Nursing & Social & Behavioral Sciences

Handshake is funded in part by a grant from the U. S. Department of Education, Office of Post-Secondary Education, Institutional Services Program (Title III, Part B, Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program).

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On Campus Interviews

The Office of Career Services is available to provide guidance and assistance throughout your job exploration, interview and career decision processes. In order to provide the highest level of support, Career Services has established policies and guidelines. These policies and guidelines are designed to benefit you as well as our employer partners. We ask that you familiarize yourself prior to attending on or off campus interviews.

Interview Guidelines

To participate in the on-campus interview process, you must be registered with the Office of Career Services (get registered by joining handshake here). Business professional attire is required and you must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled interview. Students must meet qualifications specified by the employer.

Interview Feedback

We ask employers to rate you in the following areas:

Appearance
Confidence
Asked Pertinent/Purposeful Questions
Knowledge of Organization
Skills/Ability to Perform the Job
Interactive Communication
Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

This information will be used to provide feedback to strengthen your interviewing skills.

Mock Interviews

You may call the Office of Career Services at 870-575-8461 to schedule a mock interview according to availability between the hours of 9 a.m. – 3 pm. (Tuesday – Friday).

Second or Third-Round Interview

Please notify your career coach in the Office of Career Services by phone or email if you receive notification of a second and/or third round interview.

No Show and Late Cancellation Policy

Please understand when you schedule an employment interview, you are making a commitment. It is the expectation of the employer and the Office of Career Services that you honor your commitment. When you do not show or cancel an interview less than 24 hours before, it is expensive in terms of lost corporate time to the employer. A no show or late cancellation also takes away the opportunity for another UAPB student who could have filled the interview slot. Therefore, “Late Cancellations and No Shows” will not be tolerated in the On-Campus Interview Process.

In order to be fair to employers and students, the following procedures will be implemented:

No Shows

First Offense – The student is required to meet with his/her coordinator. The student will also be required to write a letter of apology within 24 hours to the interviewer with whom he/she failed to keep the appointment. Failure to comply with this policy will result in the student no longer being able to interview through the On-Campus Interview Process for the remainder of the semester.

Second Offense- The student is required to meet with his/her coordinator. The student will also be required to write a letter of apology within 24 hours to the interviewer with whom he/she failed to keep the appointment. At that time, the student is informed that he/she is suspended for a semester and can no longer interview through the On-Campus Interview Process.

Third Offense – The student is required to meet with his/her coordinator. At that time, the student is informed that he/she is suspended for the remainder of the school year and can no longer interview through the On-Campus Interview Process. The student can appeal this action by requesting in writing a meeting with their coordinator and the Director of Career Services.

Late Cancellations

The Office of Career Services must be notified at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled interview time by telephone in order to avoid the consequences of the Late Cancellation Policy.

First Offense- The student is required to meet with his/her coordinator. The student will also be required to write a letter of apology within 24 hours to the interviewer with whom he/she failed to keep the appointment. Failure to comply with this policy will result in the student no longer being able to interview through the On-Campus Interview Process for the remainder of the semester.

Second Offense- The student is required to meet with his/her coordinator. The student will also be required to write a letter of apology within 24 hours to the interviewer with whom he/she failed to keep the appointment. At that time, the student is informed that he/she is suspended for a semester and can no longer interview through the On-Campus Interview Process.

Third Offense- The student is required to meet with his/her coordinator. At that time, the student is informed that he/she is suspended for the remainder of the school year and can no longer interview through the On-Campus Interview Process. The student can appeal this action by requesting in writing a meeting with their coordinator and the Director of Career Services.

NOTE: The Career Services’ staff reserves the right to review the circumstances of each student offense and can modify or dismiss the disciplinary action.

A Career Services’ staff member will approve the content of each letter. Once approved, the student will email the letter to the employer and BCC his/her coordinator. A copy of the letter will be placed in the student’s file.

Inclement Weather Policy

If the University is closed at any point during the year, all on-campus recruiting activities (to include interviews, information sessions and table events) will be cancelled. Recruiting activities will be rescheduled for a later date at the employer’s request.

Local Cooperative Education or Internship

Students are required to follow the inclement weather policy of the company for which they are employed.

Offer Policy

Career Services discourages students from accepting verbal offers. If you are offered a position, wait to receive it in writing and carefully review the employment contract. We understand that this is a big decision. If there are special circumstances surrounding your decision to accept or to decline an offer, such as the need for more time to make a decision, your career coach will guide you through the process.

Accepting Job Offers

Keep us informed. If you decide to accept a position CONGRATULATIONS, we kindly request that you take a moment to notify you career coach in Career Services so that he/she can update your employment status. Once you notify your career coach, please submit a copy of your job offer via email. Salary information is kept confidential and used for statistical purposes only.

Please note that once you have accepted an employment offer, you are no longer eligible to apply for positions or to attend any previously scheduled interviews. Please notify your career coach to assist you in notifying the employer(s).

Declining Job Offers

As soon as you’ve made your decision, call the hiring manager and write your letter declining the offer. Sample Rejection Letter
Please contact your career coach for assistance prior to submitting your letter.

Reneging on Job Offers

Once you accept a job offer, you have made a commitment and you MUST honor your commitment! Receiving a better offer is not an ethically acceptable reason to renege on your acceptance. If you decide to renege on your commitment (back out after accepting) to accept a different offer, there may be consequences. The obvious repercussions of your decision are the fact that you have more than likely “burned a bridge” with that company and with the individuals who were your contacts at that company (remember that these individuals may one day work at a different company in which you may be interested).

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Internships

What is an internship? An internship is a paid work experience that is directly related to either the student’s major or career goals. Internships are normally done during the summer months. The experience must be 10-12 weeks to be considered as an internship.

Academic Credit

Academic credit is optional. If the student chooses to take academic credit, he/she will be allowed to use work experience to satisfy a maximum of 6 hours of electives toward his/her degree requirement one time.

Summer Placement Receiving Academic Credit

Student must register the first summer session to receive credit even though the work experience will extend beyond the session.

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Cooperative Education (Co-op)

^{What is a Co-op? Cooperative Education is a structured method of combining classroom-based learning with practical paid work experience directly related to the student’s academic major.}

There are two types of Cooperative Education plans; the difference in the plans are based on the distance from the University.

Benefits of Cooperative Education

Integrate classroom theory to actual work experience.

Create an awareness of interest and career goals.

Helps you develop powerful skills and experiences that make you marketable upon graduation.

Cultivate maturity, self-confidence, human relations skills and a sense of responsibility.

Accumulate job seniority which can lead to full-time employment.

Offer an opportunity to build a network of contacts.

Types of Co-ops

Alternating Plan This paid work assignment is limited to employers over a 50-mile radius from the University. You will spend one semester (fall or spring) working in full-time employment (40 hours a week) and return to campus the next semester to study.	Parallel Plan This paid work assignment is limited to employers within a 50-mile radius from the University. The plan allows you to participate in full-time study (12 hours of course work) and part-time work (20 hours per week) during the semester. The work schedule is assigned by the Office of Career Services.

Eligibility

Any student who is enrolled at UAPB as a full-time or part-time student in a curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree.
Any student with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a minimum of 30 semester credit hours.
Any student whose GPA average is consistent with the requirements of the agency/company with which he/she desires placement.
Non-graduating seniors may be eligible for placement if an agreement is reached between the employer, student, and Co-op coordinator.
Any student registered with the Office of Career Services.
Any student who transfers to UAPB from another institution must wait at least one semester before being eligible for consideration.
Student must maintain a 2.5 GPA

International Students
Student must inform the Office of International Programs and Studies immediately when in pursuit of a Co-op or summer internship. After OIPS is informed, student will follow same steps as listed under student responsibilities.

What happens after accepting a Co-op position
You will need to contact the Office of Career Services to schedule an appointment with your career coach or make the appointment in Handshake. You will need to bring a copy of job offer on company letterhead to scheduled appointment. Acceptance of a Co-op position, verbally or written, is considered as final. If for any reason the student decides to renege on the offer, student must contact their career coach before contacting the employer.

How work performance will be evaluated
The Office of Career Services will send a mid-term and final performance evaluation to the site supervisor. The site supervisor should discuss the performance evaluation with the student and give a copy of the completed evaluation form to the student with signatures. A copy is sent to the Office of Career Services. The Office of Career Services will send a copy to the faculty liaison.

Current Work Positions
Current work positions can only be used for Co-op credit if it is a new work experience and objectives are developed. (i.e., the student enters the employer’s formal management trainee program) Approval must be obtained from the academic advisor, dean and Director of Career Services.

Discharge from a Co-op Position
Employers may discharge a co-op student just as they would any other employee. Reasons may include unsatisfactory performance, irregular attendance or tardiness, inability to perform expected tasks, unacceptable attitude or behavior or incompetence. The Office of Career Services encourages the employer to contact us before initiating any action. The Office of Career Services may also decide to terminate a student for violation of the University’s and/or Office of Career Services Student Code of Conduct. The Office of Career Services career coach, under the directive of the director, will work with the student and employer in an attempt to resolve the issue(s). If the issue(s) cannot be resolved, the student will receive an “F” for final grade. However, depending on how long the student worked, the final grade will be determined by the faculty liaison.

Deserting a Co-op Position
Students who leave a Co-op assignment without notifying the Office of Career Services will automatically be suspended from OCS programs for the following semester for first attempt. If the same action occurs after probation period, the student will be suspended for one year. They will also be blocked from using Handshake. Additional disciplinary action may also occur. The student will also receive an “F” for failing to complete the work cycle.

Disciplinary Action, Co-op Probation and Suspension
Unsatisfactory job performance is handled in various ways depending on the nature of the problem. The Office of Career Services will determine if the student’s violation of the rules or behavior that resulted in discharge from the job constitutes failure to complete the Co-op term satisfactorily. Although first offense usually results in suspension of services for one semester. Serious or repeated offenses may be referred to the faculty liaison. Students may be refused further Co-op employment referrals. In this case, the student will also be blocked in Handshake.

Time Off While on a Co-op Assignment
Employers expect students to be responsible with regular attendance and to be punctual. As an employee, the student must arrange for personal and college-related commitments to take place outside of regular working hours. If time off from work is needed for special circumstances, the student must contact their career coach before requesting time off from the employer. If the student is aware of special circumstances that were arranged prior to accepting the position, these circumstances must be discussed with the career coach at the time of acceptance. The career coach will decide if it warrants special arrangements. The employer will be notified by the career coach if permission is granted.

Vacation While on Co-op Assignment
Students are expected to work, without vacation, from the beginning to the end of the Co-op assignment.

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