We’re committed to your success Beyond Boise State. From the day you register for classes, Career Services is here to support you every step of the way as you plan and prepare for your future career.
Get Started Now
Planning for your future begins the day you start working towards your degree. To achieve your goals, you’ll need to take ownership of your Boise State experience and seek out opportunities to prepare for a meaningful career. In your first year, you should focus on experiences that will allow you to explore your interests and career options. Use our 4-Year Career Plan to get an idea of what you should do each year to stay on track.
Summer To-Do List
Make the most of your first semester by doing these two things now:
- Take PathwayU: Explore potential career paths and corresponding Boise State majors using our career assessment platform. If you’re not sure what you’re interested in yet, this will help you identify some areas to start exploring through classes, jobs, or activities in the fall. If you have a direction in mind already, this will help you ensure your path aligns well with your interests, personality, values, and workplace preferences. To get the most out of PathwayU, make a Career Services appointment after you’ve taken it for a personalized interpretation of your results and help determining your next steps. We offer online appointments, so you can meet with us from wherever you are this summer!
- Log in to Handshake and complete your profile: Handshake is where you can find on-campus student jobs, off-campus jobs, internships, and career employment. An account will automatically be created for you the day after you register for classes. Log in using your Boise State credentials and complete your profile so you’re ready to start applying for opportunities.
- Start applying for on-campus jobs and do your I-9: In your first year, it’s a really good idea to get an on-campus job. Students who work on campus are more connected to Boise State staff and resources and are therefore more likely to experience academic and career success. With the wide range of jobs on campus, you can probably find one that will let you try out an interest area and develop professional/career skills, making it great fit for your first year career plan. If you want to work on campus, start applying now. Many departments are doing video interviews and hiring over the summer for their fall positions. You should also do your I-9 now, before you have a job, and before you come to campus. Get more information and instructions at the link above.
What to Do This Fall
What should you be doing in your first semester to work towards your career goals? Here are some ideas:
- If you haven’t secured a job by the time school starts, come to the On-Campus and Part-Time Job Fair during Bronco Welcome. We recommend choosing an on-campus job to learn more about your workplace interests and preferences, and develop professional skills that will help you qualify for internships later. (Make a Career Services appointment for help with your resumes, cover letters, and interviewing for jobs.)
- Join a student club or organization. This will help you explore your interests and connect with a network of other students with similar interests. There are opportunities to take on all kinds of volunteer roles and leadership positions which will help you develop skills and build your resume.
- Find a cause you care about and volunteer. This will help you explore your interests, develop skills, build your resume, and start developing a professional network.
- Ask an alum questions about a career you’re interested in. Through BroncoLink, you can search for Boise State alumni with your major or working in a particular job or industry who are excited to answer your questions and give you advice.
- Attend the fall or spring Career Fair. Did you know career fairs are not just for seniors? This is a great way to learn about career options, employer expectations, future internship opportunities, and get advice about preparing for your career.
The following video will tell you more about Handshake, PathwayU, BroncoLink, internships, and career fairs. A transcript is available.
Links to Resources
Ways to Get Career Help
- Make a Career Services appointment for personalized assistance with choosing a major or career, developing your career plan, finding relevant experiences, or applying to jobs
- Use our Virtual Career Center to find the best online resources to meet your needs
Career Exploration and Planning
- Take the PathwayU career assessment to explore protentional matching careers and corresponding Boise State majors
- Brainstorm career options with What Can I Do With This Major?
- Use the links on our Career and Job Market Research page to get data about a career you’re considering
- Use BroncoLink to find alumni and ask questions about their career path
- Use the 4-Year Career Plan as a starting point to build your own career plan
Looking for a Job
- Log in to your Handshake account to search for jobs and internships on and off campus
- If you haven’t secured a job by the start of the fall semester, come to the Part-Time Job Fair during Bronco Welcome
- Get tips on searching for a student job, including resumes, cover letters, and interviewing for student jobs
- Find out about our big career events (smaller events like employer information sessions can be found in the events section of Handshake)
Follow us so you never miss a career event or opportunity
Take the effort out of keeping up with career events and opportunities by following Boise State Career Services on whichever social platforms you use.