Welcome to the Center for Career and Professional Development at Western Carolina University! We are here to help you find potential resources, gain skills, and plan your future career path. Please see below for some potential places to start. Remember, you can always reach out to us at 828-227-7133, careerservices@wcu.edu, or visit us in our office in the Reid Building, Room 150. We are on the back side of the building, and our entrance faces the small, metered parking lot (Lot 30).

Get lost? You can now GPS the Center for Career and Professional Development using your favorite GPS app! Or, give us a call at 828-227-7133.

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Major/Career Exploration

This website is a great place to start if you鈥檙e curious about different careers. It lets you explore more than 90 career fields and learn about the types of employers who hire in each one. You can also find helpful tips on getting started, including common entry paths and strategies for breaking into each field. Whether you already have a career in mind or are still exploring, this site can help you understand your options and plan your next steps.

Three Icons In a Row with Values, Personality, and Interests as the icon titles

Major/Career Exploration

Focus2 is a helpful website that lets you learn more about yourself and the careers that might be a good fit. It uses short assessments to explore your skills, abilities, and interests, then matches your results with career paths you may enjoy. You can also look through many different career options to see what they involve and what education or training you might need. Focus2 is a great tool for discovering possibilities and getting ideas for your future. Use the access code "Catamount" to create your account.

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Career Guides

All Career Topics

The Career Guide is a helpful resource designed to support you as you explore majors, plan your future, and prepare for jobs or internships. It walks you through every step of the career process鈥攆rom learning about your interests and skills to writing resumes, practicing interviews, and searching for opportunities. The guide also highlights the many services offered by the CCPD, including career counseling, drop鈥慽n help, workshops, and career fairs. Whether you鈥檙e just starting to think about your goals or getting ready to apply for positions, the Career Guide gives you clear tools and tips to help you succeed.

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All Career Topics

The Canvas Career Collection is a self鈥憄aced online resource created by the Center for Career and Professional Development to help you answer your career questions. It isn鈥檛 a class and doesn鈥檛 earn credit, but you can use it anytime to explore majors, learn about different careers, and get tips on writing resumes, CVs, and cover letters. It also includes helpful modules on job鈥憇earch strategies and an overview of CCPD services. The collection connects you with tools and campus resources to help you plan your future.

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Interview and Resume

Big Interview is an online tool that helps you practice for interviews through video lessons, mock interviews, and instant feedback. You can record yourself answering real interview questions and review your progress anytime. It also includes a new AI feature called BigResume that scans your resume and provides quick, personalized suggestions on formatting, clarity, and how well it meets employer and ATS expectations. It鈥檚 a fast, easy way to build both your interview and resume skills.

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Job Searching and Upcoming Events

Job Cat is the system 蘑菇短视频uses to help you find jobs and internships, track your progress in the DegreePlus Program, and access employer information all in one place. You can search postings, upload your resume, sign up for events, and track your applications through a simple online dashboard. The platform also matches you with opportunities based on your major, skills, and interests, helping you stay organized as you plan your career. Download the App to make it even easier!

With this app, you can receive job and internship recommendations based on your interests and behavior; quickly search, mark favorites, and apply to jobs and internships; schedule interviews on campus; find and attend recruiting events; have your resume reviewed, and more.

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Internships

Build Career Experiences

Internships are a primary experience employers look for on a resume, according to a survey of employers from the Chronicle of Higher Education. In fact, a study conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers listed internships as one of the top two indicators of success in initial career outcomes for graduating seniors. Internships provide a great opportunity for hands-on work experience, career exploration, networking, and professional growth.

DegreePlus

Skills Employers Want -- Before Graduation!

DegreePlus helps you grow your professionalism, strengthen real鈥憌orld skills, and confidently talk about what you can do. Through skill-focused workshops and hands鈥憃n experiences, you鈥檒l learn how to show up, stand out, and succeed in professional settings.

Program includes: 10 required foundational workshops, A semester鈥憀ong skills experience, A mock interview using Big Interview software

Why DegreePlus?
Because your degree shows what you learned鈥擠egreePlus helps you show how you鈥檙e ready.

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Clothing Closet & Photobooth

Present Yourself and Dress For Success

The Career Closet provides students with free business clothes for interviews, career fairs, formal events, or any career-related functions on and off campus. These items help students make the best possible impression and feel confident in a professional meeting.

You can also use our Iris Photo Booth to take headshots and passport photos to present your most professional image. The photo booth is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Feel free to use these free resources to make your life easier in your career preparation. If you have questions please reach out to our office or schedule an appointment!

Resume Samples

Often, the most important step toward securing your first job is a professional resume and effective cover letter that showcases what you can add to the organization where you hope to work. Don't underestimate the importance of a carefully written and professionally presented package. Please see our list of resume examples below that you can download and edit.

Resume Example 1 (as seen on page 40 of the Full Career Guide)
Resume Example 2 (as seen on page 41 of the Full Career Guide)
Resume Example 3 (as seen on page 42 of the Full Career Guide)
Resume Example 4 (as seen on page 43 of the Full Career Guide)
Resume Example 5 (as seen on page 44 of the Full Career Guide)
Resume Example 6 (as seen on page 45 of the Full Career Guide)
Resume Example 7 (as seen on page 46 of the Full Career Guide)
Resume Example 8 (as seen on page 47 of the Full Career Guide)
Resume Example 9 (as seen on page 48 of the Full Career Guide)
Federal Resume Example (as seen on page 51 of the Full Career Guide)

NOTE: The samples above are just that -- samples. Feel free to use any style of resume and tweak the content to fit your needs. For example, if the sample style you like the best doesn't have a section for internships, then you'll need to add in a section for internships. Case in point: Download any of these samples and make them your own!)

Cover Letter Samples

Often, the most important step toward securing your first job is a professional resume and effective cover letter that showcases what you can add to the organization where you hope to work. Don't underestimate the importance of a carefully written and professionally presented package. Below are cover letter examples. Use the example that matches the resume sample you have chosen so that the two documents match.

Cover Letter Example 1 (matches Resume Example 1)
Cover Letter Example 2 (matches Resume Example 2)
Cover Letter Example 3 (matches Resume Example 3)
Cover Letter Example 4 (matches Resume Example 4)
Cover Letter Example 5 (matches Resume Example 5)
Cover Letter Example 6 (matches Resume Example 6)
Cover Letter Example 7 (matches Resume Example 7)
Cover Letter Example 8 (matches Resume Example 8)
Cover Letter Example 9 (matches Resume Example 9)

NOTE: The samples above are just that -- samples. Feel free to use any style of resume and tweak the content to fit your needs. For example, if the sample style you like the best doesn't have a section for internships, then you'll need to add in a section for internships. Case in point: Download any of these samples and make them your own!)

Major Maps

Don't wait until you are ready to graduate to explore the types of careers/jobs WCU's majors will prepare you for. The staff at the Center for Career and Professional Development is always willing to discuss the various majors and career paths with students. Want to create your own map? Download a blank fillable PDF to plan your time at WCU!

We offer a professional assesment through our (access code: Catamount) to help you learn about your skills, abilities, and interest and how they match to careers and majors.

The websites for each of the colleges at 蘑菇短视频provide valuable information and links to other major-specific informational websites.

Career Preparation Worksheets

Please use these worksheets to help you start on your career preparation journey.

Cover Letter Writing Worksheet
Exploring 蘑菇短视频Majors and Minors Worksheet
Interviewing Worksheet
Job Search Checklist
Job Search Strategies
Networking Worksheet
LinkedIn Worksheet
Personal Statement Worksheet (for applying to Grad School)
Resume Basics Worksheet
Resume Advanced Worksheet

Useful Websites & Additional Resources

Please see below for resources and websites that would be helpful in your career preparation. The first link for Major Specific, Remote, and Affiliation Group Websites includes a long list of possible resources that may be helpful depending on your major or affinity group.

Websites

Major Specific, Remote, and Affiliate Group Website Links
(Mini-Internships & Short-Term Project Work)
(Employment Data From NC)

Resources

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Meet our staff and learn about the appointments and services we offer!

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Join us for workshops, information sessions, tabling events, and more!

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Information For

Student Resources

The Center for Career and Professional Development Can Help With: