CEMS Career Services

Upon arriving at the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, you will have the opportunity to experience and complete action steps to make you ready for a career within your industry of choice. Click on the links below to explore.

• Meet new folks and explore your interests through a CEMS Student Organization
• Start building your Handshake profile & check out JobX for on-campus jobs
• Join the UVM CEMS Career Connections group on LinkedIn 
• Research what you can do with your degree with What Can I Do With This Major

As you prepare to graduate from the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, you will have the opportunity to experience and complete action steps to make you ready for a career within your industry of choice. 

Learn more about the CEMS Career Readiness Roadmap

There are so many ways to get involved here at UVM to gain skills, experiences, and network. Check out some ways below:

• Student Organizations: Check out CEMS Student Organizations
• Research Opportunities: Opportunities to research with CEMS faculty are available! Check out this resource guide to get started.
• Internships: Internships are an invaluable way to build your resume and network with professionals in the field—and they often lead to jobs. Make sure you have a Handshake account to view open roles and check out this internship guide on the UVM Career Center website.
• Co-ops: Co-ops are 6–9-month full-time employment opportunities where students gain essential networking contacts and mentorship. Students are not charged tuition or fees while on Co-op, as they will not be taking classes while working full-time in a Co-op position. Students maintain full-time student status to protect scholarship and funding eligibility. Co-ops require careful planning beforehand. Any student wishing to pursue a co-op experience should meet with the CEMS Career Services team to discuss program details, how to find co-op opportunities, and what must be completed before starting a co-op.
• Work Study/Part Time Jobs: Earn money and gain transferable skills to build your resume and build connections. Check Handshake for off-campus positions and JobX for on-campus positions.
• For more opportunities: There are so many more ways to gain experience, such as community service, job shadowing, micro-internships, studying abroad, fellowships, etc. Check out the UVM Career Center to learn more.

Networking is an essential part of professional development. It can help you gain industry knowledge, deepen your understanding of the positions you are interested in, and build connections with professionals who could help you secure future internships or jobs.

Ways to Network Include:

• UVM Connect: Connect with CEMS alums working all over the country to ask for job shadowing, advice, or to share industry expertise. Once in UVM Connect, join the Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Group to connect with CEMS alumni and students.
• LinkedIn: Search through 94,000+ UVM alums on LinkedIn by industry, region, and keyword. If you are just getting started on LinkedIn, joining UVM groups on LinkedIn will help you to grow your UVM network. Join the UVM CEMS Career Connections group.
• Informational Interviewing: An informational interview is a structured networking process where you reach out to professionals to learn about a career field and gain insights for your job search. You identify people in fields of interest, ask if they’d be willing to talk or meet with you, and arrange a time in which you interview them about their career. You should develop and ask most of the questions. Check out our How to Network Guide (PDF).
• Attend CEMS Events: Many employers will be invited to campus to table, speak on panels, and attend career fairs. Come to these events and introduce yourself to the employers before and/or after the programs! Browse the CEMS event calendar to view what is scheduled. These events are open to students of all years and majors. CEMS Event Calendar

You can find additional networking resources at the UVM Career Center.

Resumes

A resume is a document that provides a concise outline of your work-related experiences and academic background. It tells a story about you—your skills, experiences, responsibilities and accomplishments.  

Resume Template (DOC)

Resume resources from the UVM Career Center

Action verb list (PDF)

Cover Letters

A cover letter is a professional communication that should accompany your resume when you apply for a job or internship. A cover letter is the first piece of information a potential employer sees about you. If effective, it should pique an employer's interest and encourage them to move on to your resume with stronger conviction.

A good cover letter: 

• Answers the question: “How will you help the organization meet their goals?”
• Links your accomplishments and skills to the job requirements. Why should they care about the items in your resume? Lay out how and why you would make a difference at this organization.
• Is unique for the position. You should not re-use cover letters for multiple positions.
• Should focus on how you will contribute to the organization, not just provide your life story.
• Does not reiterate your resume but provides context for some of the items on your resume.

Cover letter outline (PDF)

Do Your Research

Spend time on the employer's website getting to know what they're about and discuss the position with people you know who might have insights into the organization. Be prepared to talk about your knowledge of the organization and the contributions you think you can make.

Know What Kind of Interview to Expect

Interviews can take several formats depending on whether it's an initial screening or final interview, and whether it's conducted in person, over video conferencing, or by phone.

Initial screenings are often shorter and involve fewer company participants. Many employers conduct only a final interview, which can last anywhere from 30 min to an entire day. These may involve multiple representatives from the organization and sometimes include a presentation or some form of assessment.

Tips for virtual interviews: Dress as you would for an in-person interview, check your device/software/connectivity so you're ready to start on time, and find an appropriate setting where you'll be free from distractions and noise.

Know Yourself

Be prepared to discuss how your strengths and abilities relate to the position. Provide examples from previous employment or activities to highlight your skills. Also, be ready to discuss your challenges or areas for growth. 

Practice, Practice, Practice

The more you think through potential interview questions and prepare appropriate responses, the more confident you will likely feel during the interview. Preparing thoughtful questions to ask your interviewer will also help you focus, reflect your research on the company, and demonstrate your interest. 

Technical Interviews

Technical interviews are common in CEMS professional fields. Technical interviews are when a company asks you to problem-solve and demonstrate your knowledge and skills by solving problems on the spot. Additional resource: A Beginner's Guide to the Technical Interview

Thank you notes

Send thank-you notes within 24-48 hours of an interview via email or a written letter. It is a chance to thank the employer, express your continued interest in the position, and highlight any skills you would like to mention after the interview.