The Career Center for Science and Engineering

Why do we go to college? There are lots of reasons, but one of the most important is to build the knowledge and skills needed to secure a fulfilling job upon graduation (and hopefully one that can pay your rent, too). It's a pretty daunting task, but the U of M offers some fantastic resources for students to help them navigate the job search process--whether for a volunteer position, an internship, or a full-time professional career.

When I was initially developing my resume, I read many resume-writing website with tips and examples. I even sent my draft to my parents and older brother to edit. I can tell you from experience, though, that nothing was more helpful than the advice of a professional.

The Career Center for Science and Engineering (CCSE) is an amazing resource for College of Science and Engineering (CSE) students. CCSE helps current students find internships and co-ops, connect with professionals in the technical fields, write resumes, and develop interview skills. In fact, recruiters recently ranked schools which produce the best graduates and the University of Minnesota is within the top 10 best engineering schools. You can view the rankings here.

Real world experience as an undergraduate is essential when applying for professional jobs after graduation and we really encourage students to participate in internships, co-ops, and research as undergraduates at the U of M. In fact, 80% of CSE students do at least one internship or co-op during their time here. Read more about internships and co-ops on the CCSE website.

CCSE even has two one-credit classes for students to help prepare them for careers in science and engineering. One class is designed for first- and second-year students who aren't sure which science and engineering major is right for them. Another class is designed for third- and fourth-year students who have already chosen a major and are preparing for their careers.

I know that as high school students you're probably undecided about what you want to study in college, let alone what you want to do for the rest of your life. Rest assured that the College of Science and Engineering offers a lot of fantastic resources and advisers to help you find your direction!