How To Prepare and What to Expect 

CCD is focused on assisting students with  Career Development, Professional Communication, and Employment Research. Under each of these areas are the specific topics listed below.  When you request an appointment in RICElink, you'll choose from these for the "Counseling Type" field.

Here's more information about your appointment and how to prepare:

Assessments 

Assessments are tools that can be used if you’re unsure of what to major in, need clarification on possible post graduate plans, or want to gain understanding of what a good fit is for you.  During  your first appointment with a counselor to discuss assessments, you will discuss the purpose of the assessments and the counselor will learn more of your background and areas of interest as it pertains to your career exploration before you are given the information to take the tests. If you have already seen a counselor for this, just be sure to take the assessments at least 24 hours in advance to your appointment. Find more information here.

Employment Research 

The CCD staff can assist you in understanding more about the kind of information you should know about a company/industry and help you learn more about resources and the process of getting this information.  This research is an important part of deciding on a job offer with which we can also assist you.  If you can bring any materials you may have gathered so far in doing your employment research, it may help the appointment to be as efficient as possible. Also, it may be helpful to view the Vault Guides on Industries and Companies that pertain to your interests to help propel the discussion further. Find more information here.

Graduate School Research 

The CCD can assist you with understanding the application process for graduate schools and discuss if graduate school is the right decision for you and your career goals. Please bring any research that you have already conducted to your appointment. Visit this page to read a Guide to Graduate School and Graduate School from a Student's Perspective. Vault also has an Education tab that has a lot of information about furthering your education in graduate school, medical school, business school, etc.

Internship Research 

Get more acquainted with the on-campus recruiting process and RICElink by viewing our instructional screen-cast. We've also listed several resources available for you to utilize as you search for internship opportunities. Please take some time to explore these resources before your appointment.

Mock Interview 

Mock interviews are filmed and played back during the appointment to better prepare and refine your interviewing skills. Please come dressed as you would for a true interview. Review the interviewing and behavioral interviewing guides before your appointment so the CCD staff can provide you a critique that will help advance your understanding and performance.

Post Graduate Exploration 

The CCD counselors can help you to better understand your interests and needs as you consider your post graduate career plans and options. Your first appointment will consist of the counselor getting to know you and your interests better and you will discuss resources and options such as career assessments. Post graduate planning is a process and may require one or several appointments during your time here at Rice, depending on where you are in the exploration process. Find more information here.

Professional Communication Assistance 

The CCD staff can help to strengthen your professional documents, such as your cover letter and resume.  Please review the guides and bring a hard copy to the appointment if you have one prepared, so they can provide you with more concrete suggestions and improvements. If you do not have any documents developed already, you may still come in to discuss the process of developing effective documents.  A follow up appointment to review the final product may be necessary.  Other professional communication assistance includes interviewing, networking, and negotiating a job offer

Resume Review 

Please bring a copy of your resume to your appointment. Also, review the resume guide or view the screen-cast to maximize the effectiveness of your appointment.