Career Development Resources
Experiential learning is most beneficial when it is aligned with your career goals. These career development resources will support your skill development throughout your pursuit of experiential learning.
On this page:
Building a Growth Resume
Whether you have never had a hands-on learning experience before or you just completed one and want to continue to build skills and experiences for your career, this series of independent activities will help you grow from wherever you are in your professional journey. This resource has four key elements to help you build your career with focus and clarity:
- articulate your current skills and relevant experiences,
- clarify your career goals and aspirations,
- identify the gaps in your skills and experiences that are needed in your career field(s), and
- pursue the best opportunities—such as projects and internships—to build the skills you need.
Download the instruction guide to get started with Building a Growth Resume.
Assess Your Career Competencies
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has identified eight competencies associated with career readiness. As a college student, you should strive to achieve mastery in all eight areas by the time you graduate. Use the worksheet below to assess your career competencies and refer back to it throughout your undergraduate journey.
How to Contact a Project Mentor
ELN recommends students send a thoughtful and well-written email to project mentors you are interested in working with. Your email should be written clearly and concisely, and include the following information:
- Introduce yourself (name, major, & reason for contacting them).
- Explain your interest and enthusiasm in their work or project opportunity.
- Identify your goals and share how working on this project will help you reach them.
- Share that you would like to schedule a time to meet to further discuss your participation in the opportunity and include your general availability.
- Reiterate your interest and excitement for the opportunity.
- Be sure to reference the title of the project in the email subject line.
If you don’t hear back from the project mentor, send a polite follow-up email about one week after your initial email.
Meet with an ELN Staff Member
ELN staff are ready to meet virtually with all students interested in discussing experiential learning and career development.