advisor and student talking

Career Advising

We encourage you to take full advantage of the services we provide to support your Duke experience and your career development process. We will partner with you to develop an action plan for accomplishing your goals for both. There are benefits to developing a relationship with your career advisor as soon as your first year at Duke, we hope you’ll visit early and often.

If you are working on your resume, CV, or cover letter, take advantage of our online tools (including Resume, CV, and Cover Letter Guides)  before scheduling an appointment to talk about these documents.
Resume Guide            CV Guide            Cover Letter Guide

After reviewing the guides above, Drop-in Career Advising and Application Material Review appointments are appropriate for resumes, CVs, and cover letters.

Current students and alumni less than one year out can schedule an appointment online, in Handshake.

*Note:  First-year undergraduates will not have access to 1:1 advising appointments until November 1st of this year.  We want you to get settled in at Duke.  If you need a resume review or have quick questions, you can utilize our Drop-in Career Advising, 15-Minute Quick Questions, and online resources.

Engineering Master’s students – You have a dedicated team providing focused career and professional development support as part of your Duke experience. Visit their website to learn more about those supports and specifically look at this page if you’re seeking career advising or coaching.

In appointments, career advisors can help you to:

  • Reflect and think deeply to evaluate past experience
  • Explore and manage possibilities
  • Set professional career goals
  • Connect with faculty, alumni, and other career professionals
  • Clarify your values, skills, and interests
  • Discover and articulate your story
  • Create strategies for making the most of your Duke experience
  • Research industry-specific advice and information
  • Identify internship and job opportunities
  • Develop job and internship search skills

Career Advising Conversation Starters

Sometimes knowing how to get a conversation rolling about your career development can be tricky or awkward. Here is a list of questions that can open up a dialogue between you and an advisor in an advising appointment.

      • Exploring
        1. What types of careers are available for someone with my major/program of study?
        2. How can I learn more about different careers?
        3. I’ve decided not to go to medical school. How should I explore other options?
        4. How can I improve my LinkedIn profile?
        5. How should I talk to my parents about what I want to do after Duke?
      • Deciding
        1. How important is my major to the career I want to explore after graduating?
        2. I have no idea what I want to do after graduating. What should I do to narrow it down?
        3. Should I pursue more education after graduating, or should I pursue a career?
        4. I got a job offer! What should I be considering when reviewing this offer?
        5. I’m not sure if I want to stay in my current program. How do I decide if I should change my path?
        6. I’ve done a lot of research on career options, but still can’t decide what I want to do. Can you help me with that?
        7. I’m feeling overwhelmed about how to make a career decision. Where should I start?
        8. How can I learn about a company’s culture?
        9. Do you have tips for salary negotiation?
      • Networking
        1. How can I use LinkedIn to network?
        2. I’m nervous about networking. Do you have some tips?
        3. I’m interested in networking with Duke alumni. How can I do that?
        4. How can I find a mentor?
      • Searching
        1. I have an idea of what work I’d like to do after graduating, but I’m not sure about what companies might hire for that role. Can you help?
        2. When should I start preparing for recruiting?
        3. Recruiting is happening online in the fall of 2020. How can I best prepare for that?
        4. How can I find a job or internship during a pandemic?
        5. I’m feeling overwhelmed by the job search. What tips do you have to help my wellbeing?
        6. Where can I look for jobs in the field I’m interested in?
        7. How can I learn about a company’s culture?
      • Applying and Interviewing
        1. I have an interview next week. Can you ask me a few questions to help prepare?
        2. What should I wear to my interview?
        3. How can I improve my LinkedIn profile?
        4. When should I start preparing for recruiting?
        5. Recruiting is happening online in the fall of 2020. How can I best prepare for that?
        1. How do I use Handshake to help me?
        2. I have heard about ________ event, is it something I should attend?
        3. What should I expect at ____________ event or meeting?
      • Resources Available to You
        1. How do I use Handshake to help me?
        2. I have heard about ________ event, is it something I should attend?
        3. What should I expect at ____________ event or meeting?

Duke Career Center Confidentiality Policy

Most information shared in career advising appointments remains confidential. In specific circumstances, the Career Center may be required to break confidentiality to protect you or identified others from harm. Duke Career Center staff protects the privacy and security of student records as governed by FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act). FERPA protects education records but permits communication with parents and university personnel in connection of a health or safety emergency.

The exceptions to maintaining confidentiality include:

  • Compliance with Duke University’s Student Sexual Misconduct Policy (Title IX )which states that with the exception of these confidential resources (Student Health, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), Women’s Center, Clergy who are acting as such in their professional role at Duke and Ombudsperson, all employees (Faculty and Staff) who become aware of conduct that might fall under this policy are expected to notify the Office of Student Conduct with the names of the parties involved and the details of the report.
  • Career Center determines there is a clear, imminent threat to your health and/or safety or the health and safety of others.
  • Career Center staff may be in contact with and/or may disclose information obtained through appointments with other University personnel who have a legitimate educational interest.

Please contact the Career Center with questions regarding this policy.