Career Advising

Advising Topics

 

Students are encouraged to meet with their career consultant or a career peer advisor for assistance with:

• Major & Career Exploration and Getting Involved
• Resume, Cover Letter, Personal Statement Writing/Review
• Professional Networking and Using LinkedIn
• Career Event/Career Fair Preparation
• Job and Internship Search Strategies
• Professional Etiquette and Attire
• Interview Preparation and Practice Interviews
• Graduate School Options and Application Preparation
• Professional Portfolio Development and Review
• Job Offer Evaluation & Decision-Making
• Navigating Handshake and other online tools

• Other Career-Related Topics

 

Make an Appointment on Handshake

 

Log on to Handshake to make a career advising appointment. All appointments with your College of Education Career Services team will be held in 134 Erickson Hall. For specific Handshake instructions click here.

 

For additional appointment times, please e-mail your career consultant directly at carls173@msu.edu.

 

Drop-in Advising - No appointment necessary

 

Drop-in advising is available for quick topics such as resume, cover letter, personal statement reviews, as well as help using Handshake. For other topics we recommend making an appointment.

 

Spring 2020 (no drop-ins during spring break):

• Mondays 1:30-3pm
• Wednesdays 3-4:30 p.m.
• Fridays 10:30-noon & 1-2:30 p.m.

Summer 2020:

• No drop-ins available; make an appointment on Handshake

Drop-in career advising appointments are held in 134 Erickson Hall.

 

Virtual Resume Critiques

Want your resume, cover letter, or personal statement critiqued but can't make it in? No problem! Send your most recent draft to:

COECareers@msu.edu

Turnaround time is roughtly 2-3 business days.

 

Career Peer Advisors

 

 

Meet Julia Alvarez and Emily Hills,career peer advisors! Get career advice from them by scheduling an appointment on Handshake or coming in during walk-in hours.

Online Career Resources

The MSU Career Services Network offers many free online resources for MSU students and recent alumni (up to 2 years post graduation). Go to the Career Services web site for additional resources.

 

Handshake

Handshake is MSU's online career portal that hosts thousands of part-time, campus, internship, and full-time jobs. All career-related opportunities sent to the College of Education or its departments will be posted on this site. On Handshake you will find:

 

• Relevant job and internship opportunities
• The latest information from MSU Career Services and your favorite employers you follow
• Resources and events specifically matching your interests
• Appointment scheduling with career advisors (go to Career Center/Advising)

Handshake can also be used to find information about upcoming career fairs, workshops, and other professional events.

 

News & Information for COE Students

KIN-nections: News and Information for Kinesiology and Athletic Training Students - Weekly updates and important information from the KIN/AT advising team. Subscribe at https://edwp.educ.msu.edu/KIN-nections.

 

Ed-Connect: News and Information for Future Teachers - Weekly updates and important information from the Teacher Education advising team. Subscribe at https://edwp.educ.msu.edu/ed-connect.

 

MSU Teaching Intern Career Blog - Advice for MSU Teaching Interns in the pursuit of their first career in teaching. Created and run by the College of Education Career Consultant.

 

COE Career Fairs

Making KIN-nections: Exploring Kinesiology Career Paths

 

Making KIN-nections is a career exposure and networking event for undergraduate students that is sponsored by the Department of Kinesiology. This event is held annually in the fall (typically the first Friday in November) to give students the opportunity to meet with alumni and professionals, kinesiology researchers, and student organization leaders to learn more about kinesiology-related career options and opportunities in health, wellness, fitness, sport and more.

Although this event is more casual than a traditional career fair, business casual attire is preferred. For more information about the next Making KIN-nections event, please log in to Handshake.

For more MSU career fairs, visit the Career Services event page.

MSU Teacher Fair

The MSU Teacher Fair, offered in April of each year, attracts more than 150 school districts from across the country seeking MSU teaching interns, young alumni, and local experienced teachers to fill open teaching positions in their schools. Undergraduate students in the Teacher Preparation Program are also encouraged to attend to start networking early. Entry fees are required for alumni and non-MSU affiliated candidates only. For more information about the MSU Teacher Fair, please log in to Handshake.

For more MSU career fairs, visit the Career Services event page.

Career Exploration & Planning

Finding Your Path(s)

Exploring your career options starts with figuring out what you like, what you don’t like, and what professional area(s) will allow you to feel satisfied and fulfilled. Some majors, like those affiliated with teacher preparation, lead to a linear career path (teaching), while others such as kinesiology can lead to working in just about any industry, including health care, sports, fitness, business, non profits, health & wellness, research, education, etc.

Things to think about when deciding on a career path:

• What kind of environment do I want to work in: a hospital, gym, school, clinic, corporate office... And where do I want to live geographically?
• Do I value working closely with other professionals on a daily basis or do I prefer to work more independently?
• What skill sets do I possess and how would they be beneficial to my future profession or industry options?
• What do I know about the profession(s) I'm most interested in? How and where can I find out more information?

Exploring Options

To learn about career options you have to do! Getting involved is a great way to start exploring your career options. Whether it’s joining a student organization, volunteering locally or near your home town, working a part time job, or talking informally with a professional in an area of interest, you are doing something proactive to explore what you may want to do after graduation.

Exploring Kinesiology Career Paths

There are many career options for KIN majors, which can be exciting yet daunting to think about. Here’s what to remember when exploring Kinesiology career paths.

• You are not defined by your major. Kinesiology graduates are individuals with a multitude of unique transferable skills and academic knowledge that would be perfect for many different professions. Explore options at What Can I Do With This Major?
• Keep your options open. You may have your heart set on becoming say an athletic trainer, but it’s a good idea to consider multiple options. Parallel plans are not something to be ashamed of. It’s healthy to pursue many interests to learn about all the possibilities.
• Determine if graduate or professional school is right for you. Not everyone wants to continue their academic endeavors after finishing a 4-year degree. Learn if graduate school is necessary to reach your career goals (P.S. most health-related fields require some kind of advanced degree and/or licensure). Most years, more than 50% of kinesiology graduates get a job directly after MSU and are working in a variety of professional areas and industries. See the Destination Survey for a snapshot of first destinations for MSU KIN grads.
• Know the reality. Not all kinesiology graduates pursue physical therapy or another health care field right after graduation. The truth is, getting into these programs can be VERY competitive requiring fantastic grades and plenty of volunteer or patient care experiences. We’ve done the math: the average overall GPA of KIN grads successfully admitted to PT school last year was around 3.75 (3.65 for OT)!
• Do your research. It takes hard work and effort to learn about all your options. Google should be your friend! Search key words, job titles, industry areas, and professional/graduate programs. Networking is also important. Reach out to local area hospitals or organizations to seek volunteer opportunities, use online resources like LinkedIn to connect with professional alumni, attend a career-related event, and talk with your friends, family, peers, advisors, or professors to explore your interests, passions, and talents.
• Learn from alumni. Read "What KIN I do with my career?" alumni profiles to learn about what some of our graduates are doing since leaving MSU and discover career options that you may not have even heard of before!   

For more career resources on exploring career options, check out MSU Career Services Network.

 

KIN Careers – Starting Your Career Right After College

 

Many kinesiology students jump into a satisfying career soon after finishing their degree. The best way to obtain a worthwhile opportunity after graduating is to become a marketable candidate who can successfully articulate and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities. Increase your marketability by gaining experience by volunteering, interning, working part-time, networking, etc. to show your commitment to and gain experience in the field. Use resources like O*Net Online to research job titles and professional areas.

Popular KIN Careers:

• Certified Personal Trainer or Group Fitness Professional (certification necessary)
• Clinical Research Coordinator
• Health Educator
• Exercise Physiologist/Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist (additional coursework or certification needed)
• Insurance Claims Specialist/Underwriter
• Medical Sales Representative
• Sports Program Coordinator
• Sports/Fitness Facility Manager
  
• Strength and Conditioning Coach
  
• Health & Wellness Specialist (may require a personal training certificate)
  

Use Handshake to find jobs advertised specifically for Spartans. Work with your College Career Consultant and Career Peers to prepare your application materials and create a professional brand to help “sell” yourself in a competitive job market. Log in to Handshake to make an appointment.

 

KIN Careers – Going on to Graduate or Professional School

 

Many professions (including those in health care) require graduate or professional school to be eligible. Research graduate programs extensively and talk to admissions representatives to know if you are a good candidate for the program(s) and do your best to gain exposure to the field early to ensure the time, money, and effort put into graduate or professional school is worthwhile. Use sites like Explore Health Careers to get started.

 

Popular options include:

• Certified Orthotist and Prosthetist
  
• Chiropractor
  
• Kinesiology Faculty
• Nurse (accelerated post-bachelor’s option)
  
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapist
  
• Physician
  
• Physician Assistant
  
• Rehabilitation Counselor
  
• Sports Psychologist
  

Although your KIN academic and career advisors know a bit about many different career paths, the MSU Pre-Health Advisors are the authority on health care graduate/professional school planning and preparation. Don’t be afraid to use them and their online resources to help you plan your future.

 

Exploring Education Career Paths

 

Most education students (elementary, secondary, and special education) have a clear vision of what they will be doing post-graduation. Although teacher education typically offers a more linear career path, exploring options within the field is always important. One way education students can be purposeful in their career planning is to think about choosing marketable teaching majors and minors. Pursuing teachable areas such as science, math, special education, foreign language, and TESOL/ESL will make graduates strong and valuable teaching candidates after finishing the program.

 

Although most education students complete the Teacher Preparation Program and go on to become K-12 educators, some choose to pursue other career options. It is best for these graduates to think about what transferrable skills were built while training to become a teacher and how they can effectively utilize these skills in other fields or industries. Use tools like What Can I Do With This Major? to see what other career options would be most appropriate for graduates with a degree in education.

 

The typical alternative career paths reported include work in business (sales, recuriting, training), nonprofits, ministry, behavioral analysis, or self-employment.

 

For more career resources to explore career options, check out MSU Career Services Network.

 

Destination Survey

The Destination Survey offers a snapshot of the College's undergraduate student placement in their first destination after graduation. This information is great for students who are researching possible career options/paths. For the full University Destination Survey report, please visit Career Services Network.

• 2018 Teacher Certification Report
• 2018 Kinesiology & Athletic Training Report

Past College Destination Survey Reports:

• 2017 Teacher Certification Report
• 2017 Kinesiology & Athletic Training Report
• 2016 Teacher Certification Report
• 2016 Kinesiology & Athletic Training Report
• 2015 Teacher Certification Report
• 2015 Kinesiology & Athletic Training Report
• 2014 Teacher Certification Report
• 2014 Kinesiology & Athletic Training Report

• 2013 Teacher Certification Report
• 2013 Kinesiology & Athletic Training Report

Information for Employers

Hiring Teaching Candidates

Posting a Job

 

School districts are encouraged to post all teaching positions on Handshake, a free resource accessed by students, teaching interns (student teachers), and graduates up to 2 years after completing the teacher certification program.

Instructions for posting your job opportunities can be found here.

 

If you have posted on Handshake and are interested in further promotion of your opportunities, please contact the College of Education Career Services team at COEcareers@msu.edu.

 

Part-time/Seasonal Hires

Employers with part-time, seasonal, or (non-student teaching) internship positions for any major are welcome to post on Handshake.

 

Handshake requires all employers to have a valid company website and e-mail address. For local in-home opportunities in which this might not apply, please send your request to hireaspartan@csp.msu.edu for a special screening process.

 

Career Fairs

 

The MSU Teacher Fair is held in April of every year. Registration for this event and other MSU career fairs and events can be found on Handshake. Search Michigan State University Teacher Fair.

 

Hiring Undergraduate Kinesiology Candidates

Posting a Job

 

Whether you're looking for full-time hires or interns, all opportunities can be posted on MSU's free online job board Handshake. This site can be accessed by all MSU students and recent alumni (up to 2 years after graduation).

Instructions for posting your opportunities can be found here.

 

If you have posted on Handshake and are interested in further promotion of your opportunities, please contact the College of Education Career Services team at COEcareers@msu.edu.

 

All kinesiology students are required to complete a senior-level internship. For more on the KINternship program and requirements for hosting an intern, please visit the MSU Kinesiology internship site.

 

Career Fairs

 

Want to meet with kinesiology students face-to-face to find future talent? Consider attending the Making KIN-nections networking and opportunity event, offered every fall (typically the first Friday in November). Registration for this event and other MSU career fairs and events can be found on Handshake. Search Michigan State University KIN-nections. For more about Making KIN-nections, click here.