VUConnect Job Exploration Assignment
Students will utilize VUConnect to search for two jobs and/or internships of their interest by visiting https://vanguard-csm.symplicity.com/students. Students will learn how to effectively use the job description to assess their qualifications, skills, and strengths that align with the position. This is important to successfully articulate one's relevant experiences and highlight skills' to market oneself.
For this assignment, students are required to submit a one-page minimum double-spaced selfreflection essay. The essay questions will provide an opportunity to critically analyze the job postings with your experiences, skills, interests, and values. Students will be expected to discuss their findings by comparing the job postings of their choice and answering the essay questions listed below.
Note: Students are required to submit the job posting with their essays to receive credit.
Essay Questions
1. To what extent do your qualifications match the skills, education, and experience needed in the job/internship posting? Does it align with your interests? What doesn’t match? What are some ways that you might gain the skills or experiences?
2. What items in the job postings surprise or concern you (i.e., Are there job duties or required skills that you are very excited about? Some that you didn’t expect to encounter or that made you uncomfortable? Are there any transferable skills that you can implement? What are so ways that you can further develop skills and gain experiences to make yourself marketable to employers?
3. How well do these positions align with your preferences or career goals?
4. Of the two positions you chose to analyze, which is the most interesting to you? Why? (Consider the company’s services, mission statement and what they value as an organization; Identify what skills you’ll use and what skills and knowledge you’ll gain.)