Office of Career Development

Accounting

Office of Career Development

The Office of Career Development provides students with the support they need as they navigate all phases of occupational exploration, career planning and job seeking. Through intentional partnerships, programs, and services, you will be able to collect knowledge and experience about careers and confidently prepare for life beyond Alvernia.

We can get you ready for the next step

Not sure where to begin on your career journey? Contact us to schedule an appointment. Here is how we can help students and alumni:

  • Individual career advising to explore majors and career paths, as well as job and graduate school destinations
  • Interests, skills, and values exercises using Focus 2 to help inform career exploration
  • Career path information found on the What Can I Do With This Major? online resource
  • Résumé, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile reviews by Career Development staff and peers
  • Interview preparation and practice utilizing mock interviews and the Big Interview platform
  • Job search coaching, including strategies, research, networking, offers, and negotiation
  • Graduate school application support for planning, essays, recommendations, and decisions
  • Full-time, part-time, and intern opportunities posted on Handshake; micro-internships posted on the Parker Dewey landing page
  • Career fairs and industry networking opportunities on campus or virtually
  • Alvernia Apprenticeship to Degree Program multi-year engagement through paid internships with partnering employers, possible academic credit, access to summer housing, and potential long‑term hires

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can use the Office of Career Development services?

All current students and alumni of Alvernia University can use our services. We support students from first year through senior year with career planning, résumé and cover letter writing, internship and job searches, interview strategies and practice, graduate school applications, and more. Alumni are welcome, too – whether you graduated last year or decades ago, we’ll assist you with your career development needs (résumé updates, job transitions, etc.).

What is Handshake and why should I use it?

Handshake is Alvernia’s all-in-one online career platform for students and alumni. Think of it as a hub for job and internship opportunities, and a way to connect with employers:

  • Job Search: You can search thousands of job and internship listings (local and nationwide) tailored to college students. You can also find on-campus jobs there too.
  • Easy Applications: Post your résumé and apply directly through Handshake for many positions. The system will even recommend jobs to you based on your profile.
  • Events & Appointments: Handshake is where you register for career fairs, workshops, and employer events. You can also schedule your appointments with Career Development through Handshake. In short, Handshake is a must-use resource – it’s user-friendly, and it centralizes all career opportunities available to you. If you need help setting up your Handshake account or profile, we’re happy to guide you.
How do I make an appointment with a Career Development staff member?

There are several easy ways to schedule an appointment:

  • Through Handshake: Log in to Handshake, go to the Career Center section, and choose “Appointments.” From there, you can select a date/time that works for you.
  • Call or Email: You can call our office at 610-790-2878 or email us at career.development@alvernia.edu to request an appointment.
  • In Person: Stop by Bernardine Hall, Suite 103 during office hours (Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM) and schedule in person.


We offer in-person and virtual (Zoom) appointments.

I don’t know what career I want – can you still help me?

Absolutely! In fact, helping you explore options is a big part of what we do. Our team can assist with career exploration by discussing your interests, skills, values, and goals, and we have a helpful assessment tool called Focus 2 to help identify potential majors or career paths that might merit exploration. We’ll guide you through the process of discovering what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and how that translates into majors, internships, and careers. We will support you in finding direction step by step.

What if I need help with my résumé or cover letter?

We’re here for that! Our team will review and critique your résumé and cover letters, as well as your LinkedIn profile, whether you have a draft that needs polishing or you’re starting from scratch. Simply make an appointment for a résumé review, and you can also email your document ahead of time to give us some lead time. For quick tips, we have printed and online guides on résumé and cover letter writing. We recommend having your résumé reviewed at least once a year as you add new experiences.

Does Career Development host job fairs or workshops?

Yes, we host an annual Career Fairs and several events throughout the year! For example:

  • Our Fall Career Fair on campus, where dozens of employers come to recruit and network with students.
  • Targeted employer events like information tabling, information sessions, classroom presentations, and Employers-in-Residence.
  • Workshops on career planning and job search topics offered throughout each semester.
  • We partner with Alumni Relations to host panels and networking events where students can meet alumni.


All upcoming events are advertised via email, on Handshake, and on our social media. If you’re not seeing events that match your interests, let us know – we’re always open to suggestions for new programs.

How can employers partner with Career Development?

We offer many ways for employers to connect with our students:

  • Post Jobs & Internships: The first step is to register on Handshake and post your opportunities there. This gives you access to our students and recent alumni. (There’s no cost to register or post jobs on our Handshake school page.)
  • Attend the Career Fair: Join us! It’s a great way to meet many candidates at once and increase your organization’s visibility at Alvernia.
  • Host Information Sessions or Tables: We can arrange for you to present about your organization or set up a recruiting table in a high-traffic area on campus.
  • On-Campus Interviewing: We can facilitate on-campus interviews – you send us your job description, we advertise it and collect résumés, then we’ll help schedule interviews on campus (or virtually) with selected candidates, making it easy for you to meet multiple students in one visit.
  • Workshops: Employers can also get involved by participating in our workshops (e.g. serving as a guest resume reviewer or mock interviewer) or advising students informally.
  • Apprenticeship to Degree Program: Partner with Alvernia and offer long-term experiential opportunities to students in the form of internships, increasing in skills and scope over the course of 1-3 years, with the goal of retaining a talent pipeline in the region.


Our staff will work with you one-on-one to create a recruiting plan that fits your needs. Feel free to call or email us for personalized assistance – we aim to make recruiting at Alvernia efficient, rewarding, and enjoyable.

What are the office hours and location for Career Development?

We are located in Bernardine Hall, Suite 103 on Alvernia’s main campus (400 Saint Bernardine St., Reading, PA). Our office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. We welcome walk-ins, but to ensure someone is available, it’s best to make an appointment. If you attend Pottsville CollegeTowne or are an online student, you can reach us by phone/email and we’ll arrange a virtual meeting at a convenient time.

How can I get updates on new jobs or events?

We communicate new opportunities in several ways:

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Fraudulent Employer and Job Posting Warning Disclaimer

The Alvernia University Office of Career Development supports students and alumni in their job search by sharing job postings through various online resources such as Handshake, social media, and email. However, a posting does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Alvernia University or the Office of Career Development, nor does it confirm the accuracy of the information. The Office of Career Development makes every effort to screen employers and job opportunities but cannot guarantee the legitimacy of all postings. The University is not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions, or any other aspect of off-campus employment without limitation. Job seekers are encouraged to practice due diligence when applying for and
accepting off-campus employment and research private companies.

College students and job seekers are especially vulnerable to employment and phishing scams. The Office of Career Development encourages vigilance upon receiving an unsolicited email, text, or phone call regarding employment or other opportunities. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of an employment opportunity, contact the Office of Career Development for assistance.


Indicators That a Job May be Fraudulent

  1. You are asked to provide personal financial information such as social security number, credit card information, bank and account details, PayPal account, or instructed to provide an initial investment such as a payment or deposit of a mailed check by wire service or courier.
  2. You are offered a large payment or reward in exchange for using your bank account to deposit checks or transfer money.
  3. You receive an unexpectedly large check to deposit in your bank account.
  4. The representative tells you that the organization does not have an office set up in your area and will need you to help get the office up and running. This scam often includes a request for your banking information, supposedly to help the employer make transactions.
  5. The positing includes several grammatical and spelling errors.
  6. The posting neglects to mention the responsibilities of the job and instead focuses on the amount of money to be made.
  7. You are offered the job with little to no interaction, and communication has been through text or email.
  8. The employer contacts you by phone; however, there is no way to call them back – the number is unavailable.
  9. The contact email address contains the domain @live.com or an @ that is not affiliated with the organization. Examples: @gmail, @yahoo, @hotmail. If this is the case, verify that the email address matches the organization's website.
  10. The posting appears to be from a reputable, familiar organization—often a Fortune 500. Yet, the email handle in the contact's email address does not match the domain used by representatives of the organization; this is typically easy to determine from the organization's website. Another way to validate is to check the open positions on the organization's website by checking their careers/jobs webpage.
  11. The employer responds to you immediately after you submit your resume. Typically, resumes sent to an employer are reviewed by multiple individuals or not viewed until the posting has closed. Note – this does not include an auto-response you may receive from the employer once you have sent your resume.
  12. Watch for anonymity. If it is difficult to find an address, actual contact, organization name, or similar information, this is cause to proceed with caution.
  13. The position indicates a "first year compensation" that is excessively higher than the average compensation for that position type or lists a very wide range (i.e., "employees can earn from $40K –$80K the first year!").
  14. Look at the company's website. Does it have an index that tells you what the site is about, or does it contain information only about the job you are interested in? Scammers often create quick, basic web pages that seem legit at first glance.
  15. When you Google the company name and the word "scam," the results show several scam reports concerning this company. Another source for scam reports is http://www.ripoffreport.com.

If You Have Become the Victim of a Scam

  1. Contact Alvernia University Public Safety and the local police. The police are responsible for investigating (regardless of whether the scam artist is local or in another state).
  2. Contact the Alvernia University Office of Career Development via phone at 610-790-2878 or email career.development@alvernia.edu so that the department can investigate the employer and posting, and staff can take appropriate action.
  3. If it is a situation where you have sent money to a fraudulent employer, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to close the account and dispute the charges.
  4. If the incident occurred entirely over the Internet, file an incident report with the United States Department of Justice or by calling the FTC at: 1 (877) FTC-HELP or 1(877) 382-4357.

For more information about fraudulent jobs, visit the FTC webpage on job scams.

Office Hours

In person Career Development services available:

Monday

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM 

Tuesday

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM 

Wednesday

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Thursday 

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM 

Friday

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM 

 

Contact Us

Career Development Office

400 Saint Bernardine Street
Bernardine Hall, Suite 103
Reading, PA 19607
610-790-2878
career.development@alvernia.edu