9 Ways CSU Career Services Can Help You Prepare for Your Next Professional Move

Returning to college raises an important question for prospective students: How will you connect what you learn to your next professional move? At Columbia Southern University, students and alumni can work with the Career Services team to clarify their goals, strengthen their professional materials and prepare for career opportunities.

Earning a degree is one part of preparing for your next professional move. Knowing how to present your education, highlight your experience and navigate today's job market can be just as important. Here at CSU, the Career Services office helps students and alumni identify career goals and break them down into small, actionable steps.

In this article, we outline the many benefits of working with CSU Career Services.

How Career Services Supports Working Adults Online

Career Services is a department at many colleges and universities that helps students and alumni prepare for career success. Rather than simply helping you search for jobs, Career Services staff can help students and alumni identify career goals, build professional skills and confidently navigate career decisions.

Career Services offices often provide support through virtual appointments, online workshops, digital career assessments and email feedback on resumes and professional correspondence. This allows online students to access many of the same resources as on-campus learners at a brick-and-mortar school while balancing work and personal commitments.

How does this work at Columbia Southern University? Current students and alumni can contact Career Services by phone (877-297-6192) or email (careerservices@columbiasouthern.edu); they can also visit the CSU Student Portal for additional career-related information and support. Whether you’re exploring career options or preparing for a specific opportunity, the team can help you identify which of the resources below may be most useful.

CSU Career Services Breakdown

Your reason for contacting Career Services may depend on where you are in your education or professional life. The table below pairs common situations with the CSU resource that may be most helpful.

Now, let’s break down each of the nine categories of resources in more detail.

1. Career Coaching

One of the most beneficial aspects of working with CSU Career Services is the opportunity to speak with a career coach. You may have years of experience but aren’t sure how to position that experience when pursuing leadership positions. At CSU, career coaches are available for one-on-one appointments to guide you through the following topics:

• Career transitions
• Goal setting
• Leadership development
• Professional development
• Resume reviews

For experienced professionals, career coaching can also help identify transferable skills and map out your next step toward leadership or specialized roles.

2. Career Exploration by Degree Program

Not everyone returns to college with a fully defined career plan. You’re not alone if you want to go back to school but are still comparing potential paths for your future career.

Some students discover new interests during their academic journey, while others decide to pursue leadership positions or transition into a different industry.

Unsure what you can do with your degree program or what your next professional goal should be? Coaches and mentors in your career services department are excellent resources for additional help in these areas.

At CSU, the Career Services team uses a platform called Focus2Career to help answer questions like:

• I’m not sure where to begin. Can you help me get started?
• What degree program would be best for me if I want a specific job?
• What job would be a good fit for me if I enroll in a specific degree program?

Career Services can help you research occupations, understand industry trends, evaluate career paths and identify opportunities that align with your interests, education and experience.

Related: What to Go Back to School For: Considerations, Career Paths and More

3. Labor Market Research and Job Evaluation

Labor market research helps you learn which jobs are on the rise and which ones are in decline. This can help you narrow down your choices and make a wise, educated decision about a specific industry or career path.

If accepting a new position, career advisors can also help you research compensation trends, evaluate benefits packages and prepare for salary discussions. Understanding the full value of an employment offer can help you make informed career decisions that align with your personal and professional goals.

4. Job Search Strategies

Finding opportunities involves more than browsing online job boards.

Working with Career Services coaches can help you conduct a focused job search by identifying where to find job postings and understanding best practices for applying. You’ll understand how to develop an effective job search strategy by identifying employers, researching industries, refining application materials and exploring networking opportunities. They can also share techniques for organizing your search and tailoring applications for different positions.

5. Resume and Professional Correspondence Review

Sometimes, written communications with hiring managers can make or break a candidate. Career coaches can review cover letters, thank-you emails, networking messages, resumes and other professional correspondence before they’re sent to potential employers, and they can even help you with your LinkedIn profile.

If you haven't updated your resume in several years, today's hiring process may look different than you remember. It can be challenging to translate your experience into current resume language.

Career advisors can help you create or refine a resume that highlights your education, professional accomplishments and transferable skills employers value today. They can also provide guidance on tailoring your resume for specific positions and optimizing it for applicant tracking systems (ATS), which many employers use to screen applications.

Whether you're entering a new field or pursuing a promotion, a polished resume can help communicate the value of both your experience and your degree.

6. Interview Preparation

Job interviews can be intimidating, especially if you haven’t interviewed in several years. Career Services can help you prepare by offering practice interviews, constructive feedback and strategies for answering common interview questions. You may also receive guidance on behavioral interviewing techniques, virtual interviews and communicating your strengths with confidence.

Preparation can help you feel more comfortable discussing your professional experience and explaining how your education supports your career goals. From guidance on professional attire to tips for answering “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and other challenging interview questions, career counselors can help you prepare for your interview with greater confidence.

7. Military and Veteran Resources

Job searching for active-duty military and veterans can be significantly different from the job search in civilian life. It’s understandable if you need help explaining your military responsibilities and skills to civilian employers.

Career Services coaches at CSU – and university staff specifically hired to assist military students – can help you make the transition to civilian employment.

8. Networking Advice

Professional connections can open doors to new opportunities throughout your career. Networking isn't just about finding your next job. It's about building relationships that can support your long-term career growth.

You’ve heard the old saying “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Many times, new job opportunities arise through your network. Career Services staff can assist with best practices for building your professional network.

Whether you're expanding an existing network, changing industries or reconnecting with former colleagues, Career Services can offer strategies for building meaningful professional relationships. Advisors may also recommend networking events, alumni connections or professional organizations relevant to your field.

9. Internships

Career Services coaches may also be able to assist with internships and other forms of experiential education. For example, CSU’s Parker Dewey micro-internship program connects students and alumni with opportunities for 5-40 hour internships – lasting from one week to a month – in their desired career field.

When Should You Contact Career Services?

Career Services can support you before graduation and at multiple points throughout your professional life. Consider contacting the team when you're:

• Applying for a new position
• When you’re considering how a degree connects to your goals
• Entering a new industry
• Pursuing a promotion or leadership role
• Returning to the workforce
• Updating your resume and other professional materials

Start the Conversation With the Career Services Team

You don’t have to navigate your journey alone. Career Services can help you build confidence, strengthen your professional skills and prepare for opportunities throughout your academic journey and beyond.

Whether you're pursuing your first professional role, changing careers or advancing into leadership, working with Career Services early can help you make the most of both your education and your experience.

For more information, visit the CSU Career Services page.

 NOTE: This article was originally written and published in September 2022. It was edited and updated in July 2026.