Tufts Blogs

Despite still feeling like my first day at Tufts was yesterday, I have almost completed my third year here at Tufts. With my time at Tufts ticking down, reality is starting to set in: in just over a year, I will be graduating. Over the past few months, I have been thinking a lot about what my future will look like once I graduate. Luckily, Tufts has so many ways for students to connect with alumni, find internships and jobs, and more, so that students are ready for what comes after Tufts. Navigating professional realms can be tough, so here are a few of my tips for utilizing your career resources while at Tufts. 

1. The Career Center 
The Career Center at Tufts has so many resources for students. From one-on-one advising meetings, to cover letter and resume templates, to drop-in office hours. They also have an internship grant program, so if you have been accepted to an unpaid internship, you can apply for funding. I’ve personally used the one-on-one advising meetings as well as their cover letter and resume templates. For the advising meetings, you can request to meet with someone who specializes in helping students in specific fields, which allows for personalized advice about the industry or industries you’re most interested in. When I was first beginning my internship journey, I had no idea how to write a cover letter or what my resume should look like. The Career Center’s templates are a great starting point and provide many different examples and styles to choose from! The Career Center offers many more services than just the ones I have mentioned, and it’s worth spending some time on their website to find out all they can do for you!

2. The Herd 
The Herd is Tufts’ alumni network. I only started using the Herd this year and already I have made many wonderful connections through it. From answering questions about their experiences to helping students find internships, Tufts alums are incredibly open and excited to help students. 

3. Handshake
Handshake is a platform very similar to LinkedIn, where employers can publish jobs and internship opportunities. One aspect of Handshake that has been very helpful to me is the opportunity to sign up for info sessions with companies. I’ve found that these info sessions have helped me gain valuable information about a company that I can use in my cover letter, as well as allow me to connect directly with HR directors and recruiters. 

4. Read your Emails!
I know, it seems simple, but your Tufts email is a career resource that many students overlook. The Career Center, as well as many departments, sends emails with job and internship opportunities. In fact, the Career Center sends out an email every week with jobs and internships specifically curated for Tufts students. 

5. Connect with Professors 
The professors at Tufts are incredibly well-connected, so it’s always worth it to ask if they have any connections they are willing to share with you. I’ve gained some of my most valuable connections through my professors. 

Finding a job or an internship can seem daunting at times, but knowing that Tufts has many resources to help students navigate different career spaces makes the professional world much more approachable. Tufts has many more resources than just those that I named, so if you’re looking for more information, I recommend checking out the Career Center website for more information (https://careers.tufts.edu/).