Career Opportunities

Handshake is a comprehensive career management software program which allows you to access online job listings; upload a resume; participate in campus recruiting; and connect with employers. You must be registered with this system and have an approved resume uploaded to apply for jobs through the system. The CDC frequently sends job alerts via email to targeted candidates based on the profile information you provide.

Click on word "Handshake" above to access.
Current students: Click on the Belmont University log in to enter your pop email address
Alumni: Click "Sign up for an Account." Create your account with your preferred (not pop) email address. Confirm your account through email and then complete the "Education" section of your profile to speed the approval process.

Focus is a self-paced career guidance tool designed to help with career planning & exploration. Focus will help you:

• Analyze your career planning status
• Assess your interests, skills, work values, personality and preferences
• Explore occupations and career paths compatible with your personal attributes
• Map out your career goals and action plans

Focus is available 24/7 by clicking on the word "Focus" above. Use "bruins" as the required key code to set up your account

CareerShift is a comprehensive online resource, designed to support the #1 request of job seekers: an easy to use web site to conduct and organize their job search. CareerShift's set of tools and applications provide an easy-to-use approach to crack the "hidden job market" and manage the job hunt all in one place. You can: 1) Search, store & record job listings at all publically posted websites, company websites, and newspapers and 2) Get inside contact information immediately, including email addresses, for millions of companies, even alumni, then save and manage your lists. Access by clicking word "CareerShift" above.

Whether you are exploring majors or career or preparing for a job interview, Candid Career has the videos to help!
Click on "Candid Career" above to access.

Whether you're exploring majors or searching for information about your chosen field, "What Can I Do With This Major?" will help you connect majors to careers. Learn about typical career areas and types of employees that hire people with each major, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate by clicking the link on your major of interest. Access this resource by clicking on the words "What Can I Do With This Major?" above.

VideoBio is a new digital platform that provides interview training and the opportunity for students/alumni to create a Video introduction to showcase your skills. Click on the word "VideoBio" above and enter your Belmont email address to set up an account.

It is an on-site learning experience in a work setting that is related to your personal interests and career goals. It is planned in cooperation with an Belmont University faculty member, the company/business where the internship will take place, and you. You are eligible to receive academic credit for an internship with approval from your academic advisor. The internship credit and the grade you receive will be determined by the department approving the internship

What an Internship is Not:

• A 'time-out' from school.
• An easy grade (if gaining academic credit).
• A guarantee of a job offer.
• While an internship can give you a competitive edge, it will not guarantee a job. The best advantage that you will get from your internship experience is the opportunity to build a network for yourself.
• Why should I consider doing an internship?

An internship will provide a unique opportunity to learn while working in a specific career field and allow you to test your skills and interests in that field. It can help you see, while you are still a student, how your specialized skills and classroom theory apply in a work setting. An internship will tell you much about your own personal aptitudes and preferences. It will give you that hard-to-come-by prerequisite for many kinds of employment: 'documented experience.' An internship will also give you practice in some valuable job-hunting and networking skills, such as setting up an interview and cooperating with your work supervisor and fellow workers. Through this experience you will make some useful contacts and possibly references for future employment.

Usually the junior year is a good time to apply for and obtain an internship. You have much of your core course work completed and also have some specialized classes in your major. Seniors are definitely encouraged to enroll. Occasionally, sophomores undertake internships. All students, however, should first consult with their academic advisors to decide when is the best time to begin an internship. All students are invited and encouraged to come to the Career Development Center or to your major department to discuss long-range planning for internships.

It truly depends on your individual needs. There are many organizations that offer internship opportunities throughout the year, and others that may only offer summer opportunities. Many students enjoy focusing on their internship during the summer, while others feel it is best for them to pursue the opportunity during the Fall or Spring semesters. The good news is that once you have made this decision, the Career Development Center can assist you in finding an opportunity that best fits your needs.

Each company, agency or business will have individual time tables. However, the earlier you begin planning your internship, the more options you may have. Some companies have formalized internship programs while others utilize interns on an as-needed basis. The more competitive internships often have early application procedures.

One to six hours of Internship credit is available for you. The number of credit hours that you will register for will be based upon the number of hours spent and the tasks and experience to be gained during the internship. Your academic advisor and you will determine the number of credits you'll need to fit your academic program and needs.

Internship credit awarded at Belmont University may be part of the student's academic experience and must be approved through the student's major department or academic advisor.

Some internships will be paid internships and others will be unpaid. The organization providing the internship determines whether or not an intern will be paid. There are some internships where it is possible to receive both payment and credit. If an internship is unpaid, students are REQUIRED to register for credit for the internship. Please remember what is most important: Internships are all about gaining experience in your chosen career field performing an internship will give you a competitive edge when it comes to your future job search.

Yes, the internship is treated just like a regular course. The student is responsible for payment. The internship course (MGT 3000) is listed on the ClassFinder page under 'Management' and is divided into six sections by course number . Those students who will be receiving credit for internships must complete the Internship Registration Form and return it to the Career Development Center for processing, once the form has been processed, the student will be able to register and pay the per-credit hour fees for the internship.

Students usually find internships the following ways:

• Through the Handshake website
• Through the CareerShift website
• Through personal contacts and other networking resources
• Internships developed and obtained through the student's academic department

Professors within academic departments have many contacts and are up to date on the trends of the market in their area of expertise. Professors belong to professional organizations and receive a good deal of information about internship possibilities. Some departments have formalized internship programs and will work with those students who are majoring in their department to apply for and obtain internships. Those students whose majors do not have a formalized internship program or do not consider internships as a part of the curriculum may still obtain experience through volunteer work or a paid part-time position.

Other sources:

Students may begin identifying internships on their own by contacting former employers, relatives, neighbors and friends. Students may also want to consider having an informational interview with a professional who is working in the students' area of interest. Other resources are Belmont alumni, Chamber of Commerce directories and non-profit agency resource books. Please remember: Your academic department must approve your internship site and internship duties to receive academic credit.

There will be 3 scheduled meetings on campus throughout the duration of your internship that you will be required to attend. Remember the internship is a class and you will have assignment due dates and you are expected to adhere to the schedule listed in the syllabus. You are required to schedule and attend a 1 hour orientation during the first week of the semester for which you are registered. You are required to schedule and attend a 1 hour Mid-Semester Review, and you are required to schedule and attend a presentation session at the end of your internship period. These are the only times that you are required to come to campus as it pertains to your internship. Be sure to have this worked out with your supervisor/boss/manager before enrolling. Also, there will be some outside assignments (journals and assessments) and a 5-10 page report that you are expected to complete and turn in according to the due dates listed on the syllabus/handbook. If you anticipate a problem completing any of the assignments or coming to campus for the required meetings, enrolling in the internship (MGT 3000) may not be for you at this time.

For more specific information regarding the registration process and internship course requirements, visit the "Student Internship Information" section on the Massey Careerist blog here.