Wildcat Way to Professional Success

At the University of New Hampshire, students develop personal and professional skills beyond the classroom by following the Wildcat Way to Professional Success.  Our aim is to outline and share action steps students can take toward career readiness, and provide a guide for professional development to support each student’s academic experience.  Career and Professional Success provides events, services, and coaching in each of these core areas to support Wildcats as they explore the option and opportunities that await them after graduation.

Build awareness + Build professional image + Build experience = Build relationships

Build Awareness

What do I have to learn about myself and my potential field?

  • Identify your interests, skills, and values
    • Career and Professional Success staff can provide assessment tools to help with the exploration process
  • Learn about your field of interest: industry areas, job types/titles, growth projection
  • Map your skills to industry needs
    • Search job descriptions; indeed.comLinkedIn, and company-specific pages to learn what skills are in demand
  • Understand the career paths of fellow students and alumni
    • Review alumni LinkedIn profiles, UNH Today, and college websites for alumni stories
  • Understand the salary ranges for your industry
Build awareness

Build Professional Image

How do I present myself?​

  • Create and update career documents
    • Including resumes, cover letters, and other professional correspondence
  • Develop your LinkedIn profile
    • Attend Career Drop-In Hours to receive feedback and tips on optimizing your profile
  • Create and practice your professional pitch
    • Take part in networking events on and off-campus
  • Practice interviewing for your specific industry/field and professional goals
    • Use InterviewStream to record a practice interview, conduct a mock interview with a mentor/employer
  • Cultivate your professional image
    • Dress for success, learn industry-specific etiquette, and review your digital presence (social media and web search results)
Build Professional Image

Build Experience

How do I practice and build skills? 

Academic

​Co-Curricular

Professional

  • Shadow professionals and companies of interest
    • Use LinkedIn or campus connections to build relationships and request job shadowing experiences
  • Secure at least one internship
    • Search through Handshake, established department internship opportunities, or campus recruiting events to find options
  • Get a part-time job to build transferable skills
    • Attend the Part-Time and Work Study Job Fair, inquire with campus departments, or local businesses
Build experience

Build Relationships

Who should I know and how do I meet them?

  • Build professional and personal networks
    • Connect with alumni, faculty, staff, employers, supervisors, parents, friends, friend's parents, etc. Join national associations and expand your LinkedIn connections
  • Maintain your network by following up with your new and established connections
    • Send thank you notes after initial conversations and connect on LinkedIn when appropriate
  • Attend employer events on campus and in the community
  • Conduct informational interviews
    • Meet with a variety of professionals from desired industry/organizations to hear their career stories and advice
  • Secure 3-5 professional references
    • Connect with a combination of appropriate employers, faculty, staff, and/or supervisors
Build relationships