For Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff can play an important role in helping students through the often-complicated process of finding internships and securing employment after graduation. HFA Career Services is eager to partner with you to meet the career needs of our students. Here are some ways we, and you, can help:
Share Career Resources with your students
- HFA Career Website
- Resources for Undergraduate Students
- HFA Career Resources by Major
- Internships and Co-ops
- About Internships for Credit at UMass Amherst and Registering Internships for Credit on SPIRE
- Note that 1 credit is equal to 40 hours, so a 3 credit internship is equal to 9 hours a week (or 120 hours a semester).
- Handshake (job board/career platform for UMass Amherst students)
- Career Calendar Workshops, career fairs, and employer information sessions.
Bring Career Services to your class
We are available to visit your class and speak on a variety of career-related topics! Presentations can be tailored to your course content, students’ interests, and available class time. Options range from a brief 5-minute introduction to HFA Career Services, to a 15–20-minute presentation on a specific topic, to a full class session focused on finding internships and jobs related to a particular field of study.
We offer engaging presentations and interactive activities of any length on topics such as:
- Getting started with Handshake
- Exploring career interests and possibilities
- Developing practical job search skills
- Writing effective resumes and cover letters
- Finding internships and other experiential opportunities
- Connecting career paths to specific majors and course content
Have another career-related topic in mind? We are happy to customize a presentation to meet your class's needs!
To learn more or schedule a classroom visit, contact Lisa Blacher, Director of HFA Career Services, at lblacher [at] umass [dot] edu.
Share your connections
Invite your contacts to participate in career fairs or connect them with our office to discuss hosting an intern in their workplace. They can also post their jobs and internships onto Handshake.
Share your own career story
Students are curious to know how you got started in your field and what challenges you faced. Take some time in class to discuss your background with them.
Promote experiential opportunities
Skill-building is essential for students' career development and readiness. Share our resources on Building Employment-Ready Skills and encourage students to seek out real-world experiences. Direct students to utilize Handshake, our campus-wide career platform for undergrads, grad students, and alumni. Students interested in internships are encouraged to reach out to HFA Career Services Staff.