Transfer students have unique academic backgrounds and experiences that can be leveraged in their job search and career development. Transfer students may also face challenges navigating the college transition and compressed undergraduate timeline at Wesleyan.
The Gordon Career Center is here to support transfer students as they navigate their career planning and professional aspirations. We provide the following overview of our resources to help address transfer student concerns.
Questions? Email careercenter@wesleyan.edu, call 860-685-2180, or feel free to drop by! Students are welcome to use our study space throughout the year.
Get Started
“I don’t know where to start! I feel behind compared to students who have been at Wesleyan since their first year.”
It is never too late (or too early) to start planning your career! Your academic trajectory as a transfer student brings unique value that distinguishes you from other students and applicants. Additionally, your successful navigation of the college transfer process demonstrates perseverance and organizational skills.
The Gordon Career Center is here to help you leverage the transferable skills and strengths in your previous educational, work, and life experiences.
“The process of transferring was daunting and difficult, and I was so nervous it would somehow mar my college experience. Wesleyan has allowed me to grow and embrace both myself and my transfer experience as an asset, not a shortcoming!” – Annika Swenson ’28
New students receive access to Handshake in the summer before their first semester. Handshake is Wesleyan’s career management platform and job board for undergraduates, graduates, and alumni.
As soon as you have access to Handshake, you are encouraged to schedule an advising appointment that best matches your career goals. Advising appointments are available year-round to all current students and alumni.
The Gordon Career Center provides an inclusive and accessible space where you can:
Safely express your identities, explore your interests, and seek 1:1 advisingrelevant to your goals
Develop your skills, articulate your narrative, and translate your experiences into meaningful work
💡 Hiring timelines are often industry-dependent!
Meet with a career advisor as early as possible to learn about deadlines, resources, and opportunities to engage with employers in your specific career interest areas. For certain industries, the recruiting timeline for internships and jobs can take place in September, or even the summer before the academic year begins!
Not sure what industry you want to pursue? No problem! Take advantage of Career Exploration appointments and our Self-Reflection Tools & Courses to explore different interests, reflect on your skills and experiences, and shape your career path.
Get Involved
“I don’t know where or how to get involved in things that would build my resume.”
There are opportunities to get involved and develop meaningful skills, both on- and off-campus. As you balance your academic transition to Wesleyan, consider what experiences would most align with your career goals – such as a specific campus job, research, an off-campus internship, volunteer work, or a leadership position in a club. The quality of your involvement matters more than the quantity!
💡 Invest in one or two key experiences that you can leverage in your professional development.
Develop your skills before you set foot on campus:
Complete a virtual work experience with Forage. Forage offers self-paced, independent virtual programs that simulate industry-specific work projects. During the program, you work through a set of materials and tasks set by the company, which are designed to replicate the sort of work that you would undertake as an intern or graduate.
Research industries, employers, and internship programs with Vault, the career intelligence platform.
Practice general, behavioral, and technical interviews with Big Interview, the online training platform.
“Do I need to change or update my resume for Wesleyan?”
To apply for jobs on Handshake that require a resume, your document must first be approved by a career advisor. Use our resume writing resources and templates, and schedule a resume review appointment in advance of any application deadlines.
Read more about Wesleyan’s resume approval process here.
It depends! Your resume should be formatted in reverse chronological order, with your most recent experiences at the top of each section. In the Education section, the degree you will receive at Wesleyan should be listed first, and it will take priority as your highest level of education.
Here are some reasons to consider including your previous college in the Education section:
You earned a relevant degree or certificate that aligns with the job you’re applying for, or otherwise distinguishes you from other candidates.
You received an award, honors, or another academic achievement that would be helpful to demonstrate to potential employers. (Alternatively, you can include an Awards section on your resume, separate from the Education section.)
You completed relevant coursework. It is optional to list coursework on your resume. If you do so, be selective about the courses you list (i.e., if you are a Psychology major, it is apparent that you took Intro to Psychology). The courses you list should complement the position you are applying for and the skills you aim to showcase.
Your previous college is a point of connection with your desired job or employer. For example, the organization has worked with that college previously or they have employed alumni from that college.
Your resume should include experiences that are relevant or transferable to the job you apply for, or otherwise demonstrate leadership and responsibility. It is common for newer students to list experiences from before their time at Wesleyan.
As you gain experience, it is recommended you replace these earlier jobs and extracurriculars on your resume with more meaningful and more recent experience. You may choose to include older experiences if you have continued to be involved in them, if they demonstrate significant leadership contributions, or if they are significantly relevant to the job you are applying for.
Campus Jobs
“I want to work on campus, but it feels like I’m at a disadvantage as a transfer student.”
Campus jobs are open to all students enrolled at Wesleyan, and there are opportunities to get hired year-round. Campus employment provides an opportunity to gain hands-on work experience, earn disposable income, and learn valuable skills that prepare you for your career after graduation.
We recommend you schedule an On-Campus Employment advising appointment to receive tailored advice about securing a campus job that fits your needs, goals, and candidacy.
💡Apply to campus jobs that interest you, even if you do not meet every desired qualification.
Desired Skills & Qualifications
On-campus employers have the option to include a “Desired Skills & Qualifications” section on each campus job posting. This section is typically made up of preferences for ideal candidates, rather than strict requirements.
Handshake will allow students to apply to any and all jobs, regardless of whether they match all the desired skills and qualifications. Historically, the number of jobs that prefer first-years/sophomores has been the same as the number of jobs that prefer juniors/seniors. Most campus jobs do not mention class year preferences nor requirements, instead requiring specific skills or character traits.
Even if you do not meet every desired qualification, you are encouraged to apply! You never know how your experience will measure up against other applicants, nor what qualities employers will find most important during the application review and interview process.
In some instances, certain campus jobs may strictly require work-study eligibility, a specific skill set, major, or class year if it is relevant to the job. (For example, the Office of Advancement only hires seniors as Senior Class Gift Directors because this position is expected to fundraise within the senior class.) That being said, submitting an application may still be worthwhile to establish a connection with the department that may assist you with future job openings and collaborations.
On-campus employers are encouraged to consider applicants from all class years, because class year is not an indication of skills nor a guarantee that the student will commit to the job long-term.
Work-Study
Work-study is a financial aid program that assists students with the cost of their college education by providing a subsidy to employers who hire them for campus employment. Eligibility for federal or institutional work-study is determined by a family’s financial need, as demonstrated by completing a financial aid application.
Work-study is not required to work on-campus, and about half of all student employees do not have work-study. At Wesleyan, the hiring process is the same for everyone, regardless of work-study eligibility: You apply on Handshake, interview, and if hired, you complete onboarding, clock in and out of your shifts, and get paid weekly. You’re paid directly for your work, and it’s up to you how you use your earnings.
Certain campus jobs may require work-study eligibility. Most campus jobs hire students with and without work-study. Work-study eligible students can use their work-study for all on-campus jobs, regardless of whether the job requires it.
If you have questions about your work-study eligibility or allotment, email finaid@wesleyan.edu.
Networking
“I don’t have any connections, and I don’t know how to network!”
Networking is a lifelong skill, and you’re not expected to know how to do it perfectly!
The goal of networking is not to get hired, but to learn more about available opportunities and get advice that will help you land an internship or job. With that in mind, use your time on campus to practice connecting with faculty, staff, and peers. Talk to professors before/after class or during office hours to share your goals/interests and ask for recommendations. Attend department events and club meetings where you can meet people with shared interests and goals.
Asking questions is a way to advocate for yourself! Most people are willing to share what they know and point you towards resources and opportunities. Your experience as a transfer student is unique, so don’t be afraid to share that you’re a transfer student as you explore opportunities and resources.
Our Networking Resources and Interview Prep appointments provide additional insights on networking with professionals in your desired field and articulating your strengths. Throughout the year, the GCC facilitates networking opportunities with employers and alumni interested in hiring Wesleyan students:
WesLink connects Wesleyan students and alumni for meaningful 1:1 career conversations over winter break.
Recruiting events, employer/graduate school information sessions, career treks, and more programs are advertised on Handshake.
Whether you’re seeking internships or full-time jobs, check out the Wesleyan Affiliated Jobs & Internships Collection on Handshake to connect with employers and alumni who understand the unique strengths and potential of Wesleyan graduates.
Program Support Intern (Upward Bound); Financial Aid Ambassador; Senior Intern for the Wesleyan Refugee Project/IRIS (Integrated Refugee Immigrant Services) (JCCP); Former Homecoming and Family Weekend Assistant (Advancement)
