Frequently Asked Questions
How many Career Assistants does the CEC select?
We generally select 4-6 students each year. The Career Assistant program includes 6-8 internship positions, however some CAs continue in the position for more than one academic year. The exact number of internships is dependent each year upon the applicant pool, the needs and resources of the CEC.
How long does the internship last?
The CA internship is contracted for one academic year, usually between mid-August to early May. CAs are not required to work during University breaks or exam weeks. However, additional paid hours are generally available during these times for those interested. Upon completion of the academic year, most CAs have the option to continue their contract into the coming year.
Is it possible to be involved with other organizations and jobs while being a CA?
The scheduling of work hours involves coordinating your schedule with 6-8 other people. Therefore, it is important that your time commitments to other organizations or positions be minimal.
Must I have prior career office experience before applying?
Since this position is an internship focused on enhancing growth and knowledge in the career exploration field, no prior experience is required. CAs will be extensively trained for a full week before the beginning of the fall semester of their internship. Training will focus on the four main areas the position involves: communication skills, career education, presentation skills, and career information research. CAs can expect to familiarize themselves with all the available career exploration materials and resources in the CEC as part of their internship commitment.
What is the hourly wage for the CA position?
Pending budgetary approval, the anticipated pay will be approximately $8.50 per hour.
What does the job involve on a day-to-day basis?
The three main responsibilities of the CAs are:
- To develop and deliver presentations on career development topics, for classes and various groups on campus.
- To staff the front desk of the CEC. This includes orienting and assisting individuals or groups in the use of the CEC library, professionally responding by phone or in person to the students we serve, and performing various administrative tasks.
- To assist with marketing and outreach activities, which include staffing information tables at campus events and assisting with one major CEC-sponsored event each semester.
Are there opportunities for advancement?
If a CA is invited to return for a second year, they will have the option to take on more leadership as a second year CA (CA2). A CA2 may manage one or more of three aspects of the CA program: project management, front desk operations or outreach presentations. Taking on one of these roles allows the CA to develop strong leadership and group management skills.
Will there be work during evenings or weekends?
A major component of the CA internship includes delivering presentations and staffing information tables to market the CEC and its services across campus. This includes outreach to various organizations, clubs, classes, sororities, fraternities and residence halls. At times these events are after business hours - usually in the evening but occassionally in the early morning or on weekends. CAs are expected to plan their schedules accordingly to allow for full participation in outreach events.
How can my skills as a CA benefit me in class and in my career?
The CA program enhances a variety of work skills, including group presentations, project design, team building, customer service, administrative tasks and interpersonal skills. CAs incorporate these skills on a daily basis in their internship, allowing them to create a strong background in problem solving, public speaking and teamwork. These three abilities prove useful in any class or work setting. Additionally, CAs are consistently surrounded by unlimited career-related resources. What better way to figure out what you want to be and do after you complete your studies at UT!
More questions? Contact Jeffrey Igoe at j.igoe@austin.utexas.edu