Academic Advising and Major Exploration
Are you currently exploring major possibilities? Our office is here to help you with the process of exploring and selecting a major. Our advisors can help with everything from selecting courses to helping you connect your interests to majors and future career options.
- Pre-major Advising Exploration Workbook (PDF) - A guide to support you through the major exploration and selection process. If you want a hard copy of the workbook, please contact your advisor.
- General Education Program - Learn about the requirements in the undergraduate General Education Program, the types of courses that fulfill each part, and the learning you will engage in through the program.
- Your advisor is listed in the Student View block at the top of your Degree Evaluation in Degree Works. If you click on their name, their email will pop up. You can also find your advisor on your SSC/Navigate profile. You can look up additional contact information in the Faculty/Staff Directory.
- Login to MyFalcon
- Click on Degree Works under Records
- Your advisor will be listed in the student information block located at the top of the worksheet
- Make an appointment - please contact us by phone 978.665.3151 or via email at careercenter@fitchburgstate.edu.
- Are you ready to declare your major? Congratulations! Make an appointment with the department of your new major to complete the Change of Major Form (PDF) and discuss next steps for transitioning to your new major. Reach out to your pre-major advisor if you need any support with this process.
- Upcoming Events
We are here to support you through the process of selecting a major. We also provide major exploration support for those looking to change their major.
- Program explorer - Use the program Finder to see all the majors, minors, and graduate programs offered at Fitchburg State.
- What Can I Do With This Major will help you connect majors to careers. Whether you are exploring multiple majors or searching for information about your chosen field, this site will help with your career exploration.
- Changing your major - If you know which major you want to switch into, make an appointment with the department of your new major to complete the Change of Major Form (PDF) and discuss next steps for transitioning to your new major. Not sure what major to go into? Meet with an advisor to explore options that fit with your academic and career goals.
View all our four year plans of study by major to see required classes and a suggested guideline of course order. Every student situation is different so be sure to meet with your academic advisor to go over which classes to take each semester and individualized advising.
Career Exploration
As you explore how your major connects to career options we are here to support you through the process. Thinking about your future career can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. We can help you get started.
Major to Career Action Plans: Find your major to see a career action plan to start thinking through what you can do during your time at Fitchburg State to be prepared for life after graduation. Use this plan as a starting point to talk with your advisor about career planning.
The Strong Interest Inventory assessment provides insight into a person’s interests, and areas for exploration to consider potential careers and Majors. The assessment is done online and then you will meet with an advisor to go over your results. Reach out to Career Services and Advising to register.
The Alumni Job Shadow Program is an opportunity for you to gain insight into an industry/organization/job function of interest, make connections, and further discern how your skills, interests, and values translate to the workplace. CSA will match students with Fitchburg State alumni who will serve as hosts for shadowing experiences during summer and winter breaks. Reach out to Danibel Peralta for more information dperalta@fitchburgstate.edu.
Informational interviews serve as a great opportunity for students to learn about specific jobs, careers or to network with professionals in the field. If you are looking to conduct informational interviews, let us know and we can provide you with tips, advice and connections to help you get started.
- LinkedIn Resource Guide (PDF)
Welcome to your tool for career exploration and job analysis. O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers.
Gain valuable career skills by completing virtual work experiences on Forage. Great for students in all majors, but particularly, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering Technology and Business.
Get a free taste of industry experience by completing short, real-world, company-backed online projects on Forage. Experiences are free and created by world-leading companies. Upon completion, you'll receive a certificate and can add the experience to your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Job and Internship Search
Looking to get started on searching and applying for internships or full-time jobs? Attend one of our upcoming internship/job search workshops or schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor. Our office offers a wide variety of resources and information to support you through the internship/job search process.
The Career Success Certificate is a 6 week program designed for students to explore and develop their career paths through weekly workshops and personalized career advising on topics like assessing skills and values, networking, the job and internship search, crafting a resume and cover letter, and more.
- The State University Internship Incentive Program (SUIIP) is a state and university funded program that provides financial support up to $5,000 to students participating in credit-bearing internships. Contact Financial Aid for more information.
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Fitchburg Internship Fund provides financial support to undergraduate students participating in unpaid, credit-bearing internships. This funding is separate from the State University Internship Incentive fund and students that are not MA residents or have below a 2.7 GPA can apply. Applications should be submitted through the Internship Scholarship Application Form on the financial aid forms page. There will be one application to be considered for all internship funding to streamline the process for students. Scholarships are currently available for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 and awards of up to $5,000 can cover tuition, fees, and expenses.
Please note that students are not able to receive both the Fitchburg Internship Fund and the State University Internship Incentive Program funding. The deadline for applications for Fall 2024 internships is Friday, September 20.
Enterprise Mobility Career Development Grant
Thanks to a grant from Enterprise Mobility, the Career Services and Advising Center is able to offer The Enterprise Mobility Career Development Grant, which provides funding of up to $200.00 to currently enrolled undergraduate students for an expense directly related to career development. Examples of covered expenses include:
- Professional clothing
- Graduate school application fees*
- Graduate school entrance test preparation or registration*
- Registration fees for academic conferences
*Please note for these expenses that applicants should apply for fee waiver opportunities from the organization, if available.
To apply, complete the Career Development Grant application form. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis while funds are available. Please submit applications as far in advance as possible, but no less than two weeks prior to the opportunity for which you are seeking funding.
See guides below to get started on your resume and cover letter. Send your documents to careercenter@fitchburgstate.edu for a review or set up a one-on-one meeting with an advisor.
- Resumes (PDF)
- Cover Letters (PDF)
- Nursing Resume Guide (PDF)
- Law Enforcement Resume Guide (PDF)
- Incorporating your Study Abroad Experience into your Resume, Cover Letter and LinkedIn (PDF)
Sample Resumes
- Business Sample 1 (PDF)
- Business Sample 2 (PDF)
- Business Sample 3 - Military (PDF)
- Chemistry and Biology (PDF)
- Computer Info Systems (PDF)
- Computer Science (PDF)
- Construction Management (PDF)
- Criminal Justice (PDF)
- Education (PDF)
- Engineering Technology (PDF)
- Environmental and Earth Science (PDF)
- EXSS (PDF)
- Federal Resume (PDF)
- Health Sciences (PDF)
- Pre-Law (PDF)
- Psychological Science (PDF)
Handshake - our online recruiting portal. Students can use Handshake to apply for full-time and internship opportunities with companies interested in hiring Fitchburg State students.
Internship Prep Group - The Internship Prep Group is designed for students interested in completing internships, whether for academic credit or experience. At the Career Services and Advising Center, our aim is to assist you in various aspects of your internship search. We provide support in developing application materials, offer guidance throughout the search process, and connect you with relevant resources. To join the Internship Prep Group, fill out this survey to get connected to resources and upcoming events.
Other job boards:
- jobs.fitchburgstate.edu For a listing of part-time student jobs available on campus, scroll down to the Student Employment section.
- North Central MA Chamber of Commerce
- Indeed: A large-scale search engine that allows you to see multiple opportunities on one site. Indeed enables you to search for jobs posted on thousands of websites by aggregating them all on one site. Employers post jobs directly on Indeed.
- Idealist lists jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Remember there are many opportunities in a variety of areas within the world of nonprofit. While you might be looking for marketing or legal opportunities, for instance, they might be available within nonprofit companies. No matter your major, consider using Idealist to search for opportunities.
- LinkedIn Jobs: Leverage the world’s largest professional network to connect with opportunities.
- ZipRecruiter: An online employment marketplace that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered smart matching technology to actively connect millions of employers and job seekers. Over 700 employers in the US, Canada and U.K. and Israel.
Internship/Job Search Resource Guide (PDF)
LinkedIn Resource Guide (PDF)
Computer Science/CIS Job and Internship Search Resource Guide (PDF)
- Interviewing Guide (PDF)
- Mock-Interviews - Looking to practice and evaluate your interview skills? Mock interviews provide a great opportunity to practice your interview skills before the big day. Once you have lined up an interview, contact Career Services and Advising (CSA) careercenter@fitchburgstate.edu immediately to schedule a mock interview.
- Salary Negotiations (PDF)
- Graduate School Resource Guide (PDF)
- Senior Job Search Resource Guide(PDF)
- Interviewing Guide (PDF)
- Internship/Job Search Resource Guide (PDF)
- Resumes(PDF)
- Cover Letters(PDF)
- LinkedIn Resource Guide(PDF)
- Salary Negotiations (PDF)
- Strengths Based Disclosure Guide (PDF)
- Incorporating your Study Abroad Experience into your Resume, Cover Letter and LinkedIn (PDF)
Affinity Group Employment Resources
Student athletes possess many skills that are in demand from employers, including time management, teamwork, communication and resiliency. Be sure to highlight these skills, as well as leadership experience, awards and scholarships on your resume.
Example:
- Balanced a 18+ hour practice, training, competition, and travel schedule, at NCAA Division III level, in addition to academics
- Created marketing theme and ordered apparel for team and coaching staff
Teamwork Online connects job seekers to positions in sports and live events.
The NCAA Market is a job board for careers in college athletics.
First generation college students bring resiliency and a strong desire to succeed and overcome obstacles to their career preparation. Unfortunately, they may also experience barriers, such as less familiarity with the career development process or lack of a mentor or role model in their field. We are here to help you overcome these barriers and be successful in your job search!
Please read these career tips for first generation students.
Learn more about first generation college students’ career needs in this article from NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers).
America Needs You (ANY) supports the career development of first generation, low income college students through professional development opportunities
FirstGEN Fellows is a ten-week summer program in the D.C. area for undergraduate students who are the first in their immediate families to attend an institution of higher education, and who are passionate about pursuing careers in social justice.
I’m First is an online community celebrating first-generation college students.
The Career Services and Advising Center supports Fitchburg State international students in areas including career exploration, job/internship search and graduate school preparation. You are strongly encouraged to visit International Education before seeking any form of employment (paid or unpaid) and remain aware of any applicable restrictions, requirements and deadlines.
International Student: Visa restrictions can pose a challenge for international students searching for work and internship experience in the U.S. It is important that you understand the requirements and expectations for F1 student visas. This site offers information regarding different forms of employment and helps you understand the guidelines set forth by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
E-Verify is an online program run by the U.S. government that is used mostly by employers to check employee records and work eligibility. You can use this resource to search for employers that provide work authorization and sponsorship.
GoinGlobal helps new and experienced job seekers find opportunities both at home and abroad.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provides you with information regarding visas and filing for a green card. The site also contains information for working with employers and information regarding the petition process.
h1bgrader.com is a tool that provides information on companies based on various H1B related Data from US government agencies (USCIS, US Department of Labor). Their goal is to provide everyone with H1B and other data in an interpretable way to make an informed decision as an H1B Visa Holder in US.
We are committed to creating an open and safe space for Fitchburg State students who identify as LGBTQ+. When transitioning to the workplace, whether for a job or internship, students might consider questions like:
- Should I disclose my sexual orientation to an employer?
- When is it a good time to disclose my sexual orientation to an employer?
- How do I know if an environment is safe?
- Are there going to be other people who identify as LGBTQ+ in my new community? How do I find them?
The Career Services and Advising Center offers guidance, support, and resources to students who are thinking about these questions and others. Schedule an appointment online to meet with a career advisor, or check out our additional web-resources for more information.
Advocacy Organizations and Resources
EduBirdie’s comprehensive LGBTQ Students Guide to Getting Hired covers workplace rights, the job search process, searching for LGBTQ+-friendly employers and advice around coming out at work.
The Human Rights Campaign Equality Index ranks 571 businesses by their corporate policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer employees.
HRC’s state maps of laws and policies affecting the LGBTQ community is an excellent resource outlining relevant state laws and policies.
The National Center for Transgender Equality's Know Your Rights resource outlines the rights and procedures transgender employees have to address discrimination.
Check out this helpful article from the University of Denver's Boot Camps on "Emphasizing and Empowering the T in LGBTQ for Allies and Transgender People in Tech."
U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission: An overview of rights of LGBTQ people related to workplace discrimination.
The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition is an advocacy, education, and community-building organization that works to end discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression.
Professional Associations
- Out to Innovate (STEM focused)
- GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality
- oSTEM: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- StartOut’s (entrepreneurship focused)
Internship Programs
The Victory Congressional Internship program gives the opportunity to gain experience in LGBT political activism, consider career options, strengthen job-related skills and network with political leaders.
PFLAG Internships: Graduate and undergraduate full-time and part-time internships available each school semester, and summer, for college and university students or recent graduates.
The Reentry Services Directory was developed by the National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC) to help individuals who have been incarcerated and their families find local reentry services. The NRRC has compiled a list of organizations and service providers who can address different reentry needs, including housing, employment, and family reunification.
CareerOneStop resource for Ex-Offenders: CareerOneStop’s Job Search Help for Ex-Offenders is for anyone with a criminal record. You’ll find tips, information and resources to help you search for, apply for, and begin a new job.
The Career Services and Advising Center strives to be a welcoming center for all students. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for our students of color and supporting their career development needs.
Students and alumni of color can experience unique considerations during the job and internship search and in the workplace. Your identities bring unique assets and strengths into the workplace. We will work individually with you to help you unpack, identify, and explore your career interests, values, and goals.
How to evaluate organizations on their commitment to diversity and inclusion: Many organizations are actively working to diversify their recruitment strategies to attract and retain a more diverse workforce. As a student of color, researching organizations is key to making a career choice.
We encourage the following:
- View the organization's leadership structure and team to evaluate for diversity and inclusion
- Research how the organization supports its diverse workforce. (This can include recruiting strategies, mentorship programs, internal teams and affinity groups, community support, etc.)
- Review the organization’s job postings to see if they require a diversity statement or inclusivity requirement on the post.
- Read Reviews: What do others (e.g. peers, alumni, current employees) say about the organizational culture? Find reviews on Handshake and Glassdoor.
- Ask questions during your interview to determine if the organization supports employees of color.
Professional Associations/Resources
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society
- Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting
- Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership
- Hispanic Alliance for Career Advancement
- Latinos in Higher Ed
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses
- National Association of Asian-American Professionals
- National Association of Black Accountants
- National Black Nurses Association
- National Society of Black Engineers
- Society of Advancement for Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
- Network of Arab-American Professionals
Internship Programs
- Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences program
- Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) law school-preparatory programs
- Emma Bowen Foundation Fellowship program (media and tech industry)
- Hack Diversity
- Inroads
- MIT Summer Research Program (biology, brain and cognitive sciences, or linguistics and philosophy)
- SEO Career
- Talent Development and Innovation in Sciences Internship
Job Boards
We are committed to helping students with visible and non-visible disabilities find gainful and satisfying employment.
U.S. law provides specific protection against work-related discrimination based on a person’s distinct abilities.
Here are a collection of other career-related resources for those with differing abilities, including relevant information on employers, professional organizations, and funding sources.
Professional Associations, Advocacy Organizations and Resources
The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission supports individuals with disabilities in the job search and application process, as well as the job accommodation process. Counselors work with job seekers on resumes, interview preparation and making connections with employers. The MRC also supports persons with disabilities in disclosing disabilities to employers and obtaining appropriate job accommodations.
To access services, students should attend an information session at 49 Nursery Lane, Fitchburg, MA 01420:
- Every Tuesday at 11 a.m.
- First Thursday of the month at 4 p.m.
- Be sure to list the Fitchburg State Career Services and Advising Center as your referral source
Work Opportunities Unlimited offers Pre-Employment Transition Services to students, including workplace readiness training, job exploration counseling, work-based learning experience, post-secondary education counseling, and developing self-advocacy skills.
The Massachusetts Office on Disability shares a wealth of information regarding disability rights, access and resources.
American Association of People with Disabilities
National Alliance on Mental Health
Learning Disabilities Association of America
AC online: College Resources for Students with Disabilities
Rights and Job Accommodations
Massachusetts state Employment Rights of People with Disabilities
Mass Hire resources for Job Seekers with Disabilities
Disability Equality Index: Disability:IN has rated companies on their disability inclusiveness.
The Job Accommodation Network provides lists of appropriate job accommodations organized by disability, limitation, job function or accommodation type.
The Learning Disabilities Association of America provides a list of reasonable job accommodations for limitations associated with learning disabilities.
Strengths Based Disclosure Guide (PDF)
Internship Programs
American Association of People with Disabilities summer internship program
American Association for the Advancement of Science Entry Point! Internship program
Talent Development and Innovation and Sciences Internship
Job Boards
Diversity and Inclusion job board
Mentra is a job board exclusively for neurodivergent job seekers
The Career Services and Advising Center is dedicated to serving all students and alumni regardless of their immigration status. We have compiled a list of resources that will assist you with understanding your employment rights, as well as resources for your job and internship search.
Advocacy Organizations and Resources
The National Immigration Law Center has excellent resources about DACA and Employment and about obtaining an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Informed Immigrant provides straightforward information about immigration status, updates on Supreme Court action and understanding your rights.
Citizen Path has information about employment rights with DACA.
Immigration Law Help’s list of legal resources in MA
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition resources
Immigrants Rising’s Entrepreneurship Fund provides grants to undocumented entrepreneurs working to create positive social change.
Advocacy Organizations
Pre-Health Dreamers (PHD) shares information regarding career pathways for pre-health undocumented students and advocates for more progressive institutional and governmental policies for undocumented students.
Student Immigrant Movement is a Massachusetts-based statewide immigrant youth-led organization. They organize youth, ages 13-30, and provide political education, leadership training, guidance, mentorship, and safe healing spaces.
United We Dream organizes and advocates for the dignity and fair treatment of immigrant youth and families, regardless of immigration status through federal legislation.
My Undocumented Life is a blog founded by an undocumented college student which highlights resources for students.
Scholarship and Financial Aid Opportunities
The Dream provides scholarships to highly-qualified DREAMers to help them pay for their college education.
National Immigration Law Center resource on Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities available to students, regardless of immigration status
The Career Services and Advising Center is committed to being a partner to our student veterans on campus. We look forward to helping you prepare for your next steps after Fitchburg State and to help you build on the skills, experiences, and talents you have already gained through your experiences.
Use the Veterans Job Matcher to find civilian careers that might be a good match for your military skills.
The MA Department of Higher Education's Veterans Education page
LinkedIn Premium discount for veterans
My Next Move resources for veterans
Feds Hire Vets is a site for Federal employment information for Veterans, transitioning military service members, and their families.
The Department of Labor's Veterans’ Employment and Training Service