The UW-System Career Treks Series-Virtual Industry Visits bring together WI organizations from a variety of industries to connect with all UW-System students. This virtual space will allow students to network with professionals, while learning about the organization, its culture, and the skills desired by these featured employers. The career treks begin on September 9th at 2pm with WinField United.
A full list of participating employers, virtual career trek dates/times, and Handshake registration links can be found here: http://bit.ly/UWSystem_CareerTreks
What is a Virtual Career Trek?
A Virtual Career Trek is a live, virtual tour of a company or organization. You will have the opportunity to learn the following:
- Company introduction – What does the organization do? What is their organizational culture
- Internship and job opportunities – What types of positions are available to students and entry-level candidates? What majors does the organization consider? What can candidates do to make themselves stand out in the applicant pool?
- Skills – What technical and non-technical skills does the organization seek?
- What is the hiring and interviewing processes involve?
How do I sign up for a Virtual Career Trek?
Use the link http://bit.ly/UWSystem_CareerTreks to register for a Career Trek.
What technology will I need to attend a Virtual Career Trek?
You will need a laptop or mobile device with an internet connection. Virtual Career Treks will be hosted on Zoom, which can be accessed online or using the app.
Do I need to dress up for the Virtual Career Trek?
Yes. We encourage you to dress like you would at a career fair. You will have the opportunity to talk with the employers in a group or one-on-one meeting, so you want to look your best.
Should I prepare anything before the Virtual Career Trek?
We recommend that you have your resume reviewed by your career services department so it is ready to give employers should they ask for it. Upload your resume to Handshake and make sure your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles are updated, too!
We also suggest you spend some time researching the company/organization using Handshake – look at their company’s overview, student reviews, and current job/internship postings.
Finally, bring a few questions to ask the employer on the tour. Below are some options for you to consider:
- What do you enjoy most about working with (name of company/organization)?
- What makes someone successful working for (name of company/organization)?
- Is there room for growth for current employees?
- What are some current issues or trends in the field that I should know about?
- What kind of accomplishments are valued/rewarded at (name of company/organization)?
- What types of professional development activities are available for employees?
- How is the company/organization involved with the surrounding communities?
- What advice do you have for me during my internship or job search?
- What do I need to bring to the Virtual Career Trek?
Please bring your resume along with a notepad and pen to take notes. This will assist you with following up with the employer.
What should I do to make the most of the Virtual Career Trek?
First and foremost, make sure you act professionally. Remove all distractions (e.g., phone, television, games, etc.) from your surroundings. Also, avoid multitasking during the tour. This is not the time to finish up a class assignment or peruse the web. Once you remove all the distractions, ensure that your video feed is well-lit and has a clutter-free background. Find a neutral backdrop like a wall, screen, or curtains.
Have your resume and notetaking tools ready. Also, write down the names, job titles, and contact information of the employer’s representative(s) on the tour.
What happens if I get disconnected?
Once you register for the event, you will be given a link to the Zoom call and the UW host’s contact information. If you get disconnected, confirm your internet connection is stable and try logging onto the link again. If you cannot seem to get the link to work, contact the UW host. The UW host will work to get you reconnected and will follow-up with the employer if they are unsuccessful.
Do I need to do anything after the Virtual Career Trek?
Yes! Just like after an interview, make sure you send a thank you note to the employer’s representative(s). Below is an example of a thank you email:
Dear First, Last Name:
Thank you for taking the time to give my peers and I a tour of [name of company/organization]. [Name of company/organization] seems like an amazing place to work. I especially loved learning about [something that you enjoyed learning about].
I look forward to staying in touch as I continue [my job/internship search or exploring the field]. I definitely plan on using your advice to [piece(s) of advice that stuck with you].
Best regards,
FirstName LastName