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Career Success Initiatives
Our goal is to support students and alumni in landing a job by offering engaging skill-building programs that prepare CUNY students for real life internship and job opportunities. We have made it our mission to not only provide CUNY students with the skills to succeed in the workforce, but also increase economic mobility through direct employer engagement. If you’re an employer, click here to learn how you can partner with us and hire CUNY students!
Internships & Jobs
Many companies use internships as a way to identify and recruit future full-time employees. Internships help students gain professional skills and provide a glimpse into different careers. Through employer partnerships, our office helps connect CUNY students to paid internship and job opportunities. Learn more about the employment opportunities we offer across New York City.
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Upskilling
Upskilling supports job seekers by providing industry-driven trainings for the development of new skills. With CUNY Upskilling, these come at no cost to the participant. The more trainings you complete the more skills you gain. Register to build in-demand skills that New York City’s employers are looking for.
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Human Services
Career Advancement Scholarship
CUNY and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development have partnered to offer this program exclusively to workers at eligible organizations that hold human services contracts with the City of New York in what will become a pipeline to fill higher-level positions at human services organizations.
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Career Communities
85% of jobs are filled through networking. With more than 250,000 students and 50,000 alumni graduating every year, there are more opportunities than ever for CUNY students to build their network. Career Communities support career exploration, networking, and more. Join a community of people eager to succeed together!
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Path to Success
Enrolling is the first step to career success, but the steps that follow are just as important. Through our work, the Career Success teams are dedicated to making sure that every student in the CUNY community has access the right information and resources to navigate their career success journey from orientation to graduation to their first professional role post-college. Watch some tips to get you started:
1st Year Identify Interest and Career Exploration
- Create a LinkedIn page and add your college.
- Identify career services and where it’s located on your campus.
- Join an on campus club or attend an event
- Explore majors that interest you.
- Volunteer in a career field that interests you.
- Explore and apply for lab, research, and college assistant roles.
- Join a CUNY Meetup group!
2nd Year Career Planning
- Start taking courses in your major.
- Stop by during professors’ office hours and talk to them.
- Create a resume and take it to the career center for review.
- Start applying for internships — CUNY Internship Program.
- Check postings on your campus’ Simplicity website.
- CUNY Career Success Initiatives.
- Apply for summer internships. Deadlines are usually mid-fall.
3rd Year Gaining Experience and Goal Setting
- Take advanced classes in your major.
- Check resources for interviewing and job search tips.
- Visit sites like WayUp and Parker Dewey for work.
- Attend job fairs and on-campus recruitment events.
- Establish a professional online presence: Facebook, Twitter.
- Get a summer internship! Update your LinkedIn page.
- Network — Set up informational interviews.
4th Year Graduation and Transition
- Search LinkedIn to set up informational interviews.
- Remember CUNY alumni!
- Develop a 30-60 second elevator pitch about you.
- Let people in your network know that you’re looking for a job.
- Network and connect to those in your field.
- Attend meetups, conferences, professional meetings.
- Talk to professors about your career and job goals. Ask for advice!
- Apply! Apply! Apply!
Remember that these are general guidelines. Don’t feel bad if you didn’t follow all these steps, it’s never too late to start a new plan for your professional future!
Success Stories
“I am deeply grateful to have the support of many, such as the CUNY Career Success Initiative and the President of Queens College.” Through multiple leadership roles within ALPFA and SCIP, Jasmine has connected with strong, inspiring leaders from all CUNY campuses. Currently, Jasmine is the co-founder of a professional development non-profit, Diverse Influences.
– Jasmine Nuñez, Queens College
