Allison Chang
College: College of Arts & Sciences
Major: Biology & Society
Graduation Year: 2024
Campus employment: Peer Career Coach, Cornell Career Services
Career Readiness Competencies gained:
- Communication
- Equity & Inclusion
- Professionalism
How did you hear about your campus job?
I knew a few friends who worked at other career services offices in other colleges. I found the Cornell Career Services posting on Workday during the summer, applied and got the job!
What are some of your responsibilities at your campus job?
My main responsibility is to conduct resume and cover letter reviews. I answer students’ resume and cover letter questions and provide feedback on their materials. I also guide them to Cornell Career Services’ online resources, like the Career Development Toolkit, if they need assistance with other topics.
What made you choose this opportunity on campus? What was it that set it apart from other jobs?
When I was looking for a job on campus, I knew I wanted something I was passionate about and I wanted the opportunity to help other people. In high school I tutored and mentored other students and really enjoyed it, and that’s similar to my work now as a Peer Career Coach. I’ve had other research-focused jobs on campus, but I wanted to pivot and find an experience where I could learn more about career development resources at Cornell.
What are your top three skills developed in this role?
1. Communication — I’ve learned that communicating with the other student workers and the students who come in for services is essential for someone in this role. I’ve been able to practice that frequently as a Peer Career Coach by clearly explaining my thoughts on students’ resumes and cover letters. I’ve learned it’s important to clearly articulate what my ideas and thoughts are so the students clearly understand them and there’s no confusion.
2. Equity and Inclusion — As a Peer Career Coach, I’ve interacted with a lot of students from different backgrounds, so I’ve developed strategies for meeting their specific needs. For example, I’ve worked with students who want to apply to jobs abroad, not just in the U.S. Learning tips for applying to jobs in other countries has expanded my knowledge of career development and helps me be a better Peer Career Coach to a diverse population.
3. Professionalism — Professionalism is a really important element of creating a judgment-free space for the peers who come to me for resume and cover letter review. They’re looking for help when I work with them, so being aware of how I deliver feedback and how I carry myself and my conversations with them is key. It’s important to set an encouraging and helpful tone but still deliver advice they need during the review sessions.
What’s your favorite thing about your campus job?
My favorite thing is working with the other Peer Career Coaches and the Career Ambassadors. I didn't know anybody in the Cornell Career Services office before starting this job, but since I’ve started, I’ve met a group of people I enjoy working with and seeing around campus.
Which experiences in your campus job do you think will help you in your career after Cornell?
I worked an event where I helped facilitate networking conversations between first-year students and alumni. That was really cool because I gained more networking experience, which is a skill I know I'll need in my career after Cornell.
How has working on campus shaped your student experience at Cornell and helped you grow as a person?
It’s given me a new community. Cornell is such a big campus and, at times, it’s easy to feel lost. I really appreciate having another group of people I work with for support and camaraderie.
In terms of personal growth, I’m happy with how I’ve improved my communication skills and become more adaptable. Working with other Peer Career Coaches and students requires flexibility and communication, and I’ve learned to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment while telling people what’s happening. For instance, there are times where a lot of people show up during drop-ins, a period of time where students stop by Career Services for a 20-minute cover letter, resume, or a Handshake profile review session. Communicating with my coworkers, managing different tasks and being flexible with seeing students is important during that busy time.
What advice do you have for other students interested in campus jobs?
My advice is to look for a job that you’ll be interested and engaged with. Having a campus job that I really enjoy and care about makes it easier to be present in my role. I really enjoy working at Cornell Career Services and being part of its community.
Looking for a campus job? Cornell Career Services can help! Book an appointment for your job search needs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or just drop in at 103 Barnes Hall Monday through Friday, 1 - 4 p.m.