Purpose of This Page

This page provides ready-to-use, low-lift career assignments faculty can embed into their courses with minimal modification. Each assignment is designed to:

Align with workforce expectations
Support NACE Career Readiness Competencies
Connect students to Career Readiness & Experiential Learning Services (CRELS)
Require little to no grading beyond participation or completion

Faculty may use one assignment, multiple assignments, or adapt them to fit discipline-specific outcomes.

🧭 Assignment Option A — Career Coach Exploration

Overview
Students use Career Coach to explore career pathways aligned with their interests, skills, and program of study.

Recommended Course Timing
Early semester or during career exploration units

Student Instructions (Copy & Paste)

Log into Career Coach through alamo.edu/careercoach
Complete one 30-question interest assessment or explore a career pathway related to your major
Review job outlook, required skills, education requirements, and top employers
Submit a brief reflection or download and upload the assessment report.

Reflection Prompt (Choose One)

What career(s) stood out to you and why?
What skills or competencies are common in this career field?
How does this career align with your interests or values?

Submission Type
Textbox or short file upload

Time Commitment
20–30 minutes

Career Readiness Alignment
Career & Self-Development | Critical Thinking

🤝 Assignment Option B — Handshake Profile & Opportunity Search

Overview
Students create or update their Handshake profile and explore jobs, internships, or employer events related to their field.

Recommended Course Timing
Mid-semester or prior to experiential learning opportunities

Student Instructions (Copy & Paste)

Log into Handshake through ACES or https://alamo.joinhandshake.com/login
Complete or update your profile, fill out the career interest form, and upload your resume
Ensure you can share your profile link
Search for one job, internship, or employer profile related to your major/career
Save or favorite the opportunity
Submit a short reflection

Reflection Prompt (Choose One)

What surprised you about the opportunities you found?
How can you use Handshake aside from applying to jobs/internships?
What could make Handshake better for you?

Submission Type
Textbox or screenshot + reflection

Time Commitment
20–30 minutes

Career Readiness Alignment
Career & Self-Development | Professionalism

🌐 Assignment Option C — Professional Networking Research Activity

Overview
Students practice professional networking by identifying, following, or connecting with professionals or organizations in their intended career field.

Recommended Course Timing
Any point in the semester; pairs well with guest speakers or employer content

Student Instructions (Copy & Paste)

Identify a professional platform (LinkedIn, Handshake, professional association website, or employer page)
Follow or connect with at least ten professionals, organizations, or employers in your field
Review the professional’s role, career path, and skills, or the employer's/organization's job opportunities
Submit a short reflection

Reflection Prompt (Choose One)

What did you learn about career pathways in this field?
What skills or experiences appear most important?
How could networking support your future career goals?

Submission Type
Textbox (no screenshots required)

Time Commitment
15–25 minutes

Career Readiness Alignment
Communication | Professionalism | Career & Self-Development

🎙️ Assignment Option D — Informational Interview

Overview
Students conduct a short informational interview with a professional working in their intended field to gain career insight and guidance.

Recommended Course Timing
Mid- to late-semester; ideal for students preparing for internships, employment, or transfer

Student Instructions (Copy & Paste)

Identify a professional working in your intended career field
Request a brief informational interview (15–30 minutes; virtual or in-person)
Ask at least 4–5 career-related questions
Thank the professional for their time
Submit a reflection summarizing what you learned

Sample Interview Questions

What does a typical day look like in your role?
What skills or experiences helped you enter this field?
What advice would you give students preparing for this career?
What trends or changes do you see in this industry?

Reflection Prompt (Required)

What insights did you gain about this career?
How did this conversation influence your career goals or preparation?

Submission Type
Textbox or short reflection paper

Time Commitment
1–2 weeks (includes scheduling)

Career Readiness Alignment
Communication | Professionalism | Career & Self-Development

🧠 Assignment Option E — NACE Competency Assessment Tool (Separate Page)

Note for Faculty
A full page is available for the NACE Competency Assessment Tool, including:

Student self-assessment instructions
Competency definitions
Reflection prompts
Sample grading rubrics

This assignment helps students identify their strengths, gaps, and areas for growth related to workforce readiness.

✅ Faculty Implementation Tips

All assignments may be graded as completion or participation
Assignments can be modified to fit discipline-specific outcomes
CRELS staff can support students in completing any assignment
Faculty may request CRELS class visits to introduce these activities

You do not need to be a career expert—these assignments are designed to guide students to Career Services for deeper support.