A Student's Guide to Graduate Career Development at Bentley

When I was searching as an applicant for the best fit graduate program to advance my career and empower me with the education I needed, the career services specific to graduate students at Bentley University attracted my attention.  

Graduate Career Development Intensive (CDI-501): The non-credited course is designed for students to build a personal brand and develop a growth mindset. The Graduate Career Development Intensive Course is taught by Bentley's career advisors who have corporate and coaching experience. During the class, students are guided through:  

• Strengths-based assessment and reflection  
• Resume and cover letter development  
• LinkedIn best practices  
• Strategies for networking and informational interviews

Career coaching consultations: Bentley graduate students work with Bentley career coaches to discuss their career path, revise resumes, and build on interview skills. Career coaches are knowledgeable and connected to industry trends, so they understand what employers want.  

Mock interviews: Graduate students can make appointments with career advisors for mock interviews. After full preparation, students can enter interviews more smoothly.  

The online platform used by our school is Handshake. Handshake is the official career management platform for Bentley University. It is a platform used by many top employers, including 100% of the Fortune 500, tech start-ups, and non-profits. Once Bentley graduate students complete their profile, Handshake will show them jobs and internships that match their interests and skills. Employers will message Bentley students with event invites, interview requests, and new job opportunities via Handshake. Finally, Handshake is where Bentley students can schedule appointments with career coaches and find Bentley career fairs, workshops, information sessions, and more.  

Workshops and Events: For each academic year, Bentley University develops 45+ interactive programs to support student's professional development and job searching. Students are connected to a global network of alumni, employers, and partners through events and opportunities like:  

• The Graduate School Career Fair
• Career pathing sessions
• Company visits
• International student workshops
• Advanced job search workshops
• Mock interviews and resume reviews  

Due to the pandemic, career fairs have been held online. Virtual career fairs give students more flexibility in scheduling options such as group sessions and 1:1 meetings with potential employers.  

• Small career fairs: There are small career fairs for different majors, usually 30-50 companies at each event.  
• Workshop/Panel: Invitations for alumni to come back to our school to introduce their company and work experience. There are a lot of professionals in the industry, and this is a great networking opportunity.  
• Alumni in Residence: With a network of 60,000+ alumni and strong employer connections, the community supports graduate students for learning, development, and career potential. The Alumni in Residence program connects current students with industry professionals through 1:1 20 minute meetings to discuss potential career avenues and network.  

Career development resources are available for all Bentley graduate students to match their talents with current workforce needs. Visit #Hired Success Stories for examples of job and internship placements for graduate students.