Job & Internship Search

• CareerShift: CareerShift helps you identify employers who match your specific geographic, industry and employment goals, all while helping you “crack the hidden job market." Access CareerShift by visiting their website or by logging in to Handshake and clicking on the “Resources” link under “Career Center.” You can also read this guide for tips for using CareerShift effectively.
• Mango: A tool that helps you write polished, customized emails, sentence-by-sentence.
• Organizing Your Search: This spreadsheet is a must for organizing an effective and productive job search.
• Roadtrip Nation: A career exploration site containing an online course, inspirational stories and films, and career journey/roadmap tools.

• Hoovers: Available through the Drexel Library Website, Hoovers offers a unique opportunity to access private and public U.S and international business data, industry news, facts and figures, executive contact information, the ability to access industry profiles and much more.

• Legacy USciences Alumni Association:  Join legacy USciences Alumni Association
• LinkedIn: A business and employment-oriented social networking service that operates via websites and mobile apps.
• SJU Alumni Chapters:  Join SJU affinity alumni chapter groups
• SJU Connects: A networking platform exclusively for SJU students and alumni.
• VolunteerMatch: Search volunteer opportunities on this website, which provides volunteer information and listings in your local community.

• CampusPhilly: An online website featuring Philadelphia jobs and internships.
• Glassdoor: Job aggregator with salary and employee reviews
• Handshake: Whether you’re looking for full-time or internship opportunities to advance your career or a part-time job for cash in your pocket, Handshake can help. Visit Handshake to apply for various job and internship opportunities, gather information about career fairs, upload your resume for a critique, research and follow companies and more.
• Healthecarecareers.com: Health eCareers supports qualified healthcare providers in finding opportunities with employers looking for top talent.
• Idealist: Connect to non-profit jobs and internship postings.
• Internships.com: The national database of internships.
• Jesuit Consortium: If you are looking for jobs or internships outside the Philadelphia area, you may gain access to reciprocal career services offered to students attending other Jesuit schools. Visit the Jesuit Consortium website and email careerhelp@sju.edu to request reciprocal services from a school on the list.
• LinkedIn.com: LinkedIn’s resources help you find jobs that are in-demand
• Parker Dewey: Parker Dewey offers the largest network of highly motivated college students and recent graduates who are excited to complete short-term, professional assignments.
• QuadJobs: A resource specifically for college students trying to identify part-time or one-time jobs. Sign up with your SJU issued .edu email, set up your profile page, and your Stripe account to receive payments for jobs completed.
• Sciencecareers.org: job board where companies around the world post job opportunities for students looking to advance their careers.
• TeamWork Online: An online, 24/7 career fair connecting people in the sports industry.
• USAJobs: Search for U.S. federal government jobs.

• Case Interviews Preparation: Check out McKinsey & Company’s interviewing guide and BCG’s case interview guide.
• CareerShift: CareerShift helps you identify employers who match your specific geographic, industry and employment goals, all while helping you “crack the hidden job market." Access CareerShift by visiting their website or by logging in to Handshake and clicking on the “Resources” link under “Career Center.” You can also read this guide for tips for using CareerShift effectively.
• Mango: A tool that helps you write polished, customized emails, sentence-by-sentence.
• Organizing Your Search: This spreadsheet is a must for organizing an effective and productive job search.

• Hoovers: Available through the Drexel Library Website, Hoovers offers a unique opportunity to access private and public U.S and international business data, industry news, facts and figures, executive contact information, the ability to access industry profiles and much more.

• Legacy USciences Alumni Association:  Join legacy USciences Alumni Association
• LinkedIn: A business and employment-oriented social networking service that operates via websites and mobile apps.
• SJU Alumni Chapters:  Join SJU affinity alumni chapter groups
• SJU Connects: A networking platform exclusively for SJU students and alumni.
• VolunteerMatch: Search volunteer opportunities on this website, which provides volunteer information and listings in your local community.

• The Ladders: Look for the highest-paying jobs ($100k+ in salary) on this job search site.
• Glassdoor: Job aggregator with salary and employee reviews.
• Handshake: Whether you’re looking for full-time or internship opportunities to advance your career or a part-time job for cash in your pocket, Handshake can help. Visit Handshake to apply for various job and internship opportunities, gather information about career fairs, upload your resume for a critique, research and follow companies and more.
• Healthecarecareers.com: Health eCareers supports qualified healthcare providers in finding opportunities with employers looking for top talent.
• Idealist: Connect to non-profit jobs and internship postings.
• Jesuit Consortium: If you are looking for jobs or internships outside the Philadelphia area, you may gain access to reciprocal career services offered to students attending other Jesuit schools. Visit the Jesuit Consortium website and email careerhelp@sju.edu to request reciprocal services from a school on the list.
• LinkedIn.com: LinkedIn’s resources help you find jobs that are in-demand
• QuadJobs: A resource specifically for college students trying to identify part-time or one-time jobs. Sign up with your SJU issued .edu email, set up your profile page, and your Stripe account to receive payments for jobs completed.
• Sciencecareers.org: job board where companies around the world post job opportunities for students looking to advance their careers.
• TeamWork Online: An online, 24/7 career fair connecting people in the sports industry.
• USAJobs: Search for U.S. federal government jobs.

Career Fairs

Several careers fairs, open to all majors, are offered annually:

• SJU Career Fair takes place twice a year in September and February. Each fair attracts over 150 employers representing diverse industries and organizations recruiting for full-time, internship, co-op, part-time and volunteers/service opportunities.
• The DVEC Teacher Job Fair, also in the spring, hosts 200+ employers seeking certified educators for positions in teaching, counseling, and administration.

Additional fairs will be posted on Handshake.

Career Days

Throughout the year, the Career Center hosts academic department Career Days, taking over classes for the day to host alumni who graduated from that department. Click here to review recordings of interviews from past Career Days.

Connecting with Alumni

Tap into our network of proud Alumni (over 95,000) through these virtual events!

• Hawk Talks: Alumni Career Insights: Check out recorded interviews with alumni discussing their career, how they got there, and advice for current students.
• Alumni Instagram Takeovers: Follow along on Instagram with our featured Hawk and get a look into their day, their career, and advice they have on how to be successful.

CampusPhilly

CampusPhilly is a nonprofit organization focused on encouraging students to live and work in the Greater Philadelphia tri-state region. Their industry-specific, Launch Events are a great way to meet professionals in the area who can support your career exploration and job/internship search. Find descriptions of these events and registration information on CampusPhilly's website.

Meet-Ups

Professional representatives from various industries join us on campus for networking events throughout the year.  The opportunities allow students to meet with Saint Joseph's alumni and employers to explore options, network and learn about career paths. Check Handshake for event dates and times.

For more information on career events, please visit the Events section on your Handshake account.

Career Fairs

The Career Center hosts a career fair in September and again February each academic year. Each fair attracts over 150 employers representing diverse industries and organizations seeking talent. Knowing your target industry, employer and job allows you to approach organizations at career fairs with a clear plan. Researching the organizations is the first step (What jobs do they have posted on their website? What roles do SJU alumni hold in their organization?) Presenting yourself to an employer with your clear plan and interests is the next step. An employer’s attendance at the career fairs signals they appreciate SJU talent. Take advantage of their presence and make sure you approach organizations you’d like to work for.

Graduate students should approach the career fair with an understanding of their goals and how to use the fair to meet those goals. Identify employers of interest and if the recruiter is not hiring for an advanced role, ask questions! Use the opportunity to make a positive first impression and get connected to the correct recruiter. Keep in mind that many employers use career fairs as networking events and want to get to know you. This is the first step in that process.

Meet-Ups

Professional representatives from various industries join us on campus for networking events throughout the year.  The opportunities allow students to meet with Saint Joseph's alumni and employers to explore options, network and learn about career paths. Check Handshake for event dates and times.

For more information on career events, please visit the Events section on your Handshake account.

We know that entering the workforce during a disrupted economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is surreal and overwhelming — this is not the world you thought you’d be graduating into. While these are stressful and uncertain times, your education and time on Hawk Hill will serve you well.

This guide is filled with a variety of resources, ideas and mindsets you should adopt and utilize to make progress towards achieving your career goals during a pandemic. 

Download the Guide

The pandemic shifted many job search activities from in-person to virtual. Foundational job search skills remain important but you’ll want to check out the Job Search Series videos to learn the finer points of a virtual job search.

Check out our collection of 2-Minute Tips Job Search Videos, created by our team of counselors to help you adapt your job search during COVID-19. 

There are many employer rankings publications that assess organizations’ commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Below are a few resources to consider when determining which companies you may be interested in working for. Many of the organizations on these lists are actively posting positions on Handshake that students and alumni can apply for today.

Diversity Inc Top 50 Companies for Diversity

“The leading assessment of diversity management in corporate America," Diversity Inc’s Top 50 list highlights top-performing companies in areas of diversity and inclusion management including:

• Human Capital Diversity Metrics
• Leadership Accountability
• Talent Programs
• Workplace Practices
• Supplier Diversity
• Philanthropy

(Source: "Overview of The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity")

Diversity Inc 2021 Top 50 Specialty Lists

Dig deeper into various areas of diversity by considering the employers on these lists. Some of the specialty lists include top companies for:

• People with Disabilities
• LGBT
• Employee Resource Groups
• Mentoring
• Executive Diversity Councils
• Talent Acquisition for Women of Color
• Sponsorship
• Veterans
• Latino Executives
• Asian American Executives
• Black Executives
• Native American/Pacific Islanders

•  
• Diversity Social - America’s Best Companies for Diversity in 2021
• Refinitiv’s Diversity & Inclusion Top 100
• Forbes Best Employers for Diversity
• Comparably Top Rated Companies for Diversity
• Fortune 75 Best Large Workplaces for Women
• InHerSight The 50 Best Places to Work for Women
• Equal Opportunity Publications
•  

Are you interested in working for a company that is not ranked on one of the Top DEI publications? You can often find publicly-available information on a company’s website. Below is a list of resources for you to search when considering a company’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Careers Page & Job Postings
  • Does the Careers section of the company website emphasize the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion?
  • Are the job descriptions written with inclusive language?
• Social Responsibility Report
  • This is a document that companies use to communicate their environmental, ethical, philanthropic or economic efforts and impact on the community in which it operates.
  • Examples: Cisco’s 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Impact Report; IBM’s 2019 Corporate Responsibility Report
• Diversity & Inclusion Report
  • This report offers details about a company’s diversity efforts in their workforce.
  • Examples: Google’s 2021 Diversity Annual Report; McKinsey & Company 202 Diversity Report
• Affinity Groups/Employee Resource Groups
  • These are groups of employees within a company who are connecting and collaborating around a similar background or interest. Affinity groups can be based on race, gender, age, sexual identity, veterans status and other backgrounds. They allow for personal and professional development opportunities at work.
• Diversity of Leadership
  • Who are the individuals on a company’s leadership team? This can be a good indication of a company’s culture.
  • Often, company websites have a Meet the Team section or a simple Google search may reveal the individuals who make up the C-suite team and/or management.
• Supplier Diversity Report
  • This report provides insights into the types of companies an organization engages with. Does the company you’re interested in proactively work with companies that are owned by underrepresented populations or support small businesses?
  • Example: San Jose Water’s 2020 Supplier Diversity Report and 2021 Plan

You have been approached by a company representative who is interested in sharing information about their organization’s job and internship opportunities — how do you respond if you are unsure about the organization’s intentions and commitment to DEI? Below are some tips for engaging with company representatives in a professional manner.

• Answer the request. Whether or not you are interested in learning more, it is always best to respond.
  • If you are interested, you could say “I’d love to learn more! What is a good day and time for you to chat over the phone or connect virtually?”
  • If you are not interested, you could respond by saying “I am not interested at this time, but I will certainly reach out if I would like more information in the future.”
• Ask questions. If you are interested in learning more, but unsure about the company’s DEI initiatives, it is ok to ask questions. Below are some suggestions.
  • Can you describe your company’s culture and core values?
  • What resources does the company provide to support trans employees, black employees, veteran employees, etc.?
  • Are there any programs or initiatives in place at your company geared towards promoting diversity?
  • What does diversity look like at all levels of your company — particularly at the management, executive and board levels?
  • Does your company have a diversity and inclusion policy? Or a non-discriminatory policy?

(Sources for this section: LMU Employer Diversity & Inclusion Policy and “Questions Students Can Ask in Interviews to Tell If a Company Really Cares About Diversity and Inclusion” article by Cindy Verduce, Director, Indiana Tech)

• Find out how the employer wants to interact with your group (for student organizations). Many times, a company representative has a specific type of program or event in mind that they would like to coordinate with your student organization. If they are leaving this up to you, below are some suggestions for events or programs to arrange with an employer.
  • Professional Development Workshops: Resume Building, Leadership, Career Readiness and Interviewing Tips are just a few examples of the topics employers like to cover with students!
  • Coffee Chats: Invite students to sign up for 1:1 sessions with a company representative to ask questions and review their resumes.
  • Networking Events: Invite several companies to join students for an hour of informal social interaction.
  • Panels: Invite representatives from several companies to sit on a panel surrounding a specific topic such as Diversity in the Workplace.
• Plan the program or agree to meet with the company representative.
  • If you are an individual being sought out by an interested company, find out when the employer might be coming to campus or hosting virtual interviews so you can connect with the recruiter face-to-face.
  • If you are the leader of a student organization, decide what type of program your organization is interested in collaborating on and work with the employer to plan it.
• Follow-Up. After meeting with an employer or hosting an event with them, it is always important to follow up, thanking the employer for their time. Mention something you learned during the interaction and express interest in meeting them or collaborating with them again in the future.

Unsure about how to broach the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace with an employer? Below are some more questions that can help you get the conversation started.

• What’s it like to work here?
• Have the racial events of 2020 changed any of your organization’s DE&I priorities going forward? If so, how?
• You mentioned — or on your website you mention — ZYX has a commitment to diversity. How has the organization demonstrated that commitment?
• What does diversity, equity and inclusion mean here?
• What does your company do to ensure inclusiveness?
• What do you do to create an inclusive team environment?
• How do you measure inclusion?
• Does your company have mentoring programs or employee affinity groups?
• Are there any specific internal DEI groups, resources or initiatives you are particularly proud of?
• Does your company use any training programs to help create an inclusive work environment?
• How can employees get involved in DEI initiatives in your workplace?
• In your opinion, what is the most challenging aspect of working in a diverse environment?
• Can you give me an example of how you make your direct reports feel a sense of inclusion, belonging and equity on a daily basis?
• Can you tell me about a time you had to have an uncomfortable conversation to resolve an issue?
• How do you celebrate diversity of ideas and people?
• What tangible goals does the organization have surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion? Who is responsible for making sure these goals are met?

(Sources for this section: LMU Employer Diversity & Inclusion Policy and “Questions Students Can Ask in Interviews to Tell If a Company Really Cares About Diversity and Inclusion” article by Cindy Verduce, Director, Indiana Tech)

Watch panelists Tiffany Jenkins '12 (M.S.), talent acquisition specialist at Philadelphia Works, Reese Blair '98, audit partner at Deloitte, and Stéphie Baptiste, human resources assistant at Lactalis American Group, discuss how students can best prepare for the career fair.

Watch the Video

On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Saint Joseph’s University Career Center provides a nonjudgmental and supportive environment for all students and alumni. We are aware that personal identity connects to career decisions and we are here to help you navigate this aspect of your journey. The questions and answers below are a guide that we hope will give you some insight into your career process as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

What is an LGBTQ-friendly organization?

An LGBTQ-friendly organization is one that protects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals from discrimination in their organization. Many of these companies also help organize LGBTQIA+ support groups and social events for the LGBTQIA+ individuals who work for them.

What are some important things I should consider before applying to a company (as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community)?

When deciding which company is best for you, consider how important it is for you to work for a company that supports its LGBTQIA+ workers. Here are some questions to help you reflect on this: 

• Will it be a non-negotiable for me to work for a company that I know is LGBTQ-friendly?
• Will I consider companies that imply being LGBTQ-friendly?
• Would I work for a company that does not have any formal considerations for its LGBTQIA+ employees?
• What does working for a diverse company mean to me?

How to search for and identify companies that are LGBTQ-friendly?

An extremely helpful tool to identify which companies are LGBTQ-friendly is the Corporate Equality Index, released annually by the Human Rights Campaign. This report assesses companies based upon a number of criteria, including:

• Equal employment opportunity policy
• Employment benefits (including transgender-inclusive medical coverage)
• Organizational LGBTQ competency (trainings, resources, or accountability measures)
• Public commitment to LGBTQ support

At what point should I "come out" to an employer?

It is important to be aware that you do NOT have to disclose at any point in the process. This decision is entirely up to you and how comfortable you feel disclosing your sexual orientation, sex or gender expression. If you do choose to disclose, there are generally three opportunities to “come out” to an employer.  

1. On your resume
2. In an interview
3. After you start working for the organization

To talk to someone about the best way to navigate this process, make an appointment with one of our career counselors on Handshake. We are here to help you every step of the way.

How would I word any LGBTQIA+ work or volunteer experience on my resume?

Here are a couple of examples of how you might describe your LGBTQIA+ experience on your resume depending on how comfortable you are disclosing your sexual orientation or gender identity:

• “Treasurer, SJU PRIDE”
• “Treasurer, Diversity Student Campus Group”
• “Member, SJU Pride”

How do I "come out" during an interview?

Regardless of whether you plan to “come out” in the interview stage, the primary focus of the interview will be to sell your skills and experience. That said, the interview is a great time to get some clarification about how supportive the company is to the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Questions you can ask an employer in an interview:

• “Would you say that your company has a diverse employee base?”
• “Do you offer same-sex benefits?”
• “Does your organization have an LGBTQ support or social group?”
• “Does your organization provide same-sex partner benefits?
• “Does your organization have at least one gender-neutral bathroom?”
• “Does your organization sponsor or participate in activities that support the LGBTQ community?”

What other career resources should I look into?

• LGBTConnect: An LGBT job board for anyone seeking LGBT-friendly employers.
• Out & Equal: An LGBT workplace advocacy group designed to connect the LGBT community through resources, events, and support groups.
• Philly Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
• Office of LGBT Affairs Philly
• LGBT Resource list in Philadelphia
• Transwork Philadelphia

*Some content and resources identified from Georgetown University

Employers that create accounts in Handshake are evaluated prior to gaining access to post on the site. In addition, each position posted is reviewed to ensure that it is consistent with our Handshake policy for employers. Information pertaining to an employer’s legitimacy may not be accessible at the time of posting so it is important to use your judgment when evaluating an opportunity both in Handshake and on other job search sites.

If you come across a position or have an interaction with an employer that seems unethical, unprofessional or causes you to question the legitimacy of the organization, please contact the Career Center immediately.

Some potential red flags to be aware of when evaluating an employer or opportunity:

• They ask you to provide your credit card, bank account numbers, or other personal financial documentation. 
• The position requires a financial investment – particularly payment by wire service or courier. 
• You are offered payment for allowing the use of your bank account (for example to deposit checks or transfer money). 
• The posting focuses more on how much money you can potentially earn and not the responsibilities and scope of the role. 
• The position offers pay that is in high excess of the average compensation for that position type. 
• You are given a task or a start date via email or phone before interviewing with the company. 
• If the company is a legitimate, well-known organization, but the contact uses a personal email account.  For example: @gmail.com or @yahoo.com instead of at the company domain. 
• The posting or employer website includes many spelling and grammatical errors and/or includes broken links to pages. 
• The written position description and the position described in an interview are inconsistent or extremely vague. 
• You are asked to provide a photo of yourself. 
• The position is home-based and no office space exists. 
• Positions that are listed as administration/office assistants and are listed as nationwide opportunities are likely scams. 
• The company website is all about the job opportunity and not about the organization itself. Scammers often create basic web pages that seem legit at first glance but don’t contain information about the company or its clients. 
• Watch for anonymity.  If it is difficult to find an address, actual contact, company name, etc. use caution. Fraud postings are illegal, so scammers will try to stay somewhat anonymous. 
• The Google search adds the word scam in auto-fill to your search on the company name. Read the Google results.

Another source for scam reports is ripoffreport.com. Also, check the Better Business Bureau (note: a company may not be registered with BBB and that does not speak to their legitimacy).