Blog

Navigating college can be difficult, especially if you’re the first from your family to do so. Many years ago I left my small hometown to embark on a new journey called college. Being the first person from my family to attend a four-year university, I was excited, proud, and nervous all at the same time. Navigating the four years became a huge learning experience as I fumbled my way through campus, learned how to stand alone without my family nearby, and created lifelong relationships. Of course I made some mistakes along the way, missed out on opportunities because I didn’t know what I didn’t know, and underestimated resources that could have made my college years much easier.

Have you found a subject that you’re really interested in and then find yourself thinking, what can I do with a major in this? If so, trust me when I tell you that you are not alone. To be very honest, I posed that same question to my adviser when I was in undergraduate school.

First years, as you continue to navigate Duke and explore various resources, the Career Center would like for you use your Duke Career Center website as a valuable resource. In doing so, we would like to share with you the top six places you should visit on the site. This information can be helpful as you are trying to understand the services the Career Center provides, updating your resumes, and thinking about major selection.

“My brain has way too many tabs open. 4 of them are frozen and I have no idea where the music is coming from!”

First years did you know that the Career Center has a program exclusively for you called Fyrst Contact? Well, we do, and it is an amazing program. This program connects first-year students with companies and employers who are interested in engaging with first years. Fyrst Contact is offered virtually and it is more of an information session versus a recruitment session. Keep in mind, some of the companies who participate are looking for interns and will provide that information during the session.
You can view and register for these sessions through CareerConnections.

Are you thinking about attending graduate school after Duke? It’s never too early to start looking or thinking about what you would like to study. If you are thinking about going to graduate school, whether it’s right after Duke or you decide to take a gap year, here are a few tips to help you along the way!

Sophomores did you know that the Career Center has a program exclusively for you called Sophomore Conversations?

April was supposed to be my time. As someone who had decided to pursue a future career in policy and public sector jobs, I always knew that I wasn’t likely to start getting traction on the job front until late in the Spring semester of my senior year. For those of you who don’t know, for your average policy job, most seniors don’t get hired until April, May, or even later.

Current Duke students, you have had to deal with an unprecedented semester in an unpredictable world. I know some of you may be navigating some change in your summer plans, which unfortunately may include some shifts in your internships or other summer jobs.

Many international students who are in the U.S. for school and are pursuing a job search may be thinking about staying in the country post-graduation, returning home to work, or moving to another country. If you fall into any one of these categories, your job search will undoubtedly have some unique challenges.