Frequently asked questions
Below are common questions asked of Career Services:
- Why should I have an active Handshake account with Career Services?
- How do I activate my Handshake account?
- Where do I find a listing of available job opportunities?
- How do Employers see my resume?
- What types of workshops does Career Services Offer?
- Can I use Career Services if I have already graduated?
- How do I participate in College Work-Study?
- What services does Career Services offer?
- Can someone write my resume for me?
- As an Employer, how do I post a job?
- What is the difference between an internship and a co-op job?
- What are the Work-Study start and end dates?
1. Why should I have an active Handshake account with Career Services?
Activating your account on Handshake enables students & alums to:
- Expand your online job search - Filter, view, and apply directly to employers
- Receive info about open jobs and hiring events - Receive personalized career recommendations in your inbox based on your interests and network to discover new opportunities.
- Be considered for interviews - Submit a resume for interviewing consideration.
- Put your best self forward - Create a dynamic profile, post a resume, and submit it to interested employers,
NOTE: This is a free and confidential service to WSU Students and Alumni.
2. How do I activate my Handshake account?
All active WSU students have a Handshake account. Activate your account by logging into it once.
How to activate your Handshake Account
- Go to https://wayne.joinhandshake.com/
- Enter your Wayne State email address (example: ab1234@wayne.edu)
- Click on the blue Wayne State University Sign On box
- Enter your WSU Academica ID (example: ab1234) and password
- Create your professional page
3. Where do I find a list of job opportunities?
Full-Time Jobs - Handshake.
Off-Campus Part-time Jobs - on Handshake
On-Campus Student Employment - on Handshake
Internship opportunities - on Handshake under the Jobs and Internship link
Go to Handshake.
4. How do Employers see my resume?
If you want your resume to be seen by employers, activate your Handshake account and upload your resume to your profile. If you mark your resume as public, employers can see it as they search for candidates.
Go to Handshake.
5. What types of workshops does Career Services offer?
Each semester, Career Services hosts a variety of career-related presentations and information sessions for students and alums.
Topics have included:
- Career Decision making
- Interviewing Techniques
- Resume Writing Techniques
- Job Search Strategies
- Career Competencies that Employers Want
Check out Handshake and the University Calendar to search for specifics.
6. Can I use Career Services if I have already graduated?
Alum are encouraged to utilize our services by creating a Handshake account and uploading a resume. Career Services receives employer job postings for new grads and alums frequently. Alums are welcome to utilize many of the same services that students participate in.
7. How do I participate in Federal Work-study?
Students must first apply for a Federal Work-Study Award through Financial Aid to participate in Federal Work-Study. After receiving a Federal Work-Study award, students can contact the Student Employment Counselor with questions or visit Handshake to view listings of applicable jobs. Assistance is provided in matching students to their interests.
8. What does Career Services offer?
- Career/employment counseling
- Career planning
- Federal work-study jobs
- Professional networking events (Career Fairs, Meet & Greets, Employer Presentations, and more!)
- Full-time professional employment resources
- Internships opportunities
- Campus student employment
- Career-related presentations and workshops
- Job postings
- Online resources include a job board, AI interviewing tool, AI resume maker, career course, video channel, micro-internship board, and job simulation tool.
- Virtual Mock Interview program
9. Can someone write my resume for me?
We are available to assist students and alums in creating a resume. If you do not have a summary or would like to have your current resume reviewed by a career counselor, please connect with our Online Counseling hours, and a counselor will guide you on the proper path to creating a professional resume.
10. As an employer, how do I post a job?
Career Services is happy to help employers connect with Wayne State University students and alums. We utilize Handshake as our primary option for employers to post jobs. To begin posting your positions on Handshake, please visit the link below.
11. What is the difference between an internship and a co-op?
Career Services works with employers to offer students temporary paid work experiences that relate to a student's major or career goals.
Internships: Students or recent graduates undergo supervised work training in an environment that typically relates to their major or career goals.
Co-ops: Students participate in work opportunities related to their field of study. Companies create student work plans, and Career Services monitors the students' progress—both the student and the employer complete evaluations. Students earn official acknowledgment on their university transcripts for participating in a co-op position.
Employers have communicated that neither experience outweighs the other. They have, though, expressed a high interest in hiring students who have had one of these experiences. Career Services highly suggests that students participate in an internship or co-op experience.
12. What are the Federal Work-Study start and end dates?
Most current Federal Work-Study start and end dates.