MS Sustainable Transportation and Logistics Career Checklist

The Career Resource Center (CRC) fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment that: 

• promotes proactive career exploration and development with lifelong strategies for individual career success. ,
• creates opportunities for high-impact experiential learning and engagement,
• builds relationships with employers using a customized approach, and
• facilitates connections across our network to maximize opportunities for those we serve.

The CRC's dedicated staff is committed to assisting you throughout your career development and job search process. Get to know our team by visiting the CRC staff page. Melissa Ruggiero is dedicated to the students in STL who focus on operations and supply chain.

A robust career community that challenges students to imagine and design meaningful lives and careers.

We challenge students to see possibilities and seek opportunities in preparation for life after college. Visit our Career Design Center staff page. Holly Justice is dedicated to the students in STL who focus on transportation, logistics and engineering-related careers.

1. Build your updated résumé (U.S. style) using the CRC's MS Résumé Template.
   • CRC résumé writing tools include a guide, digital workshop and tutorial on Making Your Content Count.
2. Submit your résumé for critique using the VMock résumé review tool, which provides instant, automated and personalized guidance on your résumé. You must use the preferred CRC résumé template and tools to get optimal results. 
   • Access to VMock will be granted in June (or soon after you commit to UB). You get 10 uploads per academic year.
   • It is best to use a PC/laptop to effectively use this tool, though there is a VMock app. If you have accessibility concerns, please contact us directly.
   • Your goal is to achieve 75 points or more before proceeding.
3. Revise your résumé based on your VMock feedback.
4. Personalized critiques from a career advisor are also possible. If you would like a personalized critique, submit a request to Melissa or Holly via VMock (AFTER reaching 75 points by using VMock's advice). 

• Learn how to effectively create and leverage your profile, using our social media tips.
• Add your current degree program, selecting the “University at Buffalo, The State University at Buffalo” as your school.
• Invite Melissa Ruggiero, Holly Justice and any other UB staff, faculty or students you have communicated with to join your network after you have updated your profile to indicate you are attending our program.

• Career tools (cover letters, interviewing guide, etc.)
• CRC Events
• International career tools
• Networking resources
• Job market and research tools
• Relish Careers
  

You will receive access to BizLink, the CRC’s career management system in the weeks before the start of your program. Watch for an email.

• Bullseye powered by Handshake    
• How to make professional friends    
• UB Career Design Center Events
• Interviewing resources and Big Interview

Information about events and workshops are promoted through email during the semester. RSVP for events in BizLink or Bullseye, powered by Handshake respectively.

Sign in to both BizLink and Bullseye, powered by Handshake career management systems separately and complete all forms and answer all questions.

• Keep your profiles updated. The career staff use the data to effectively communicate with students and market UB's MS talent to prospective employers.
  
• By completing your profile in Bullseye powered by Handshake you become 5x more likely to be contacted by an employer.

After you have earned a score of 75 in VMock on your résumé, upload your résumé to both the BizLink and Bullseye systems by the end of September.

• It is extremely important that your uploaded résumé be error-free and in professional business format.
• You can have multiple versions of your résumé in BizLink
  and in Bullseye, powered by Handshake, but only one “default” in each system.
• As you edit your résumé throughout your program, be sure to upload the newest version to both systems. Your default résumé should be your most up-to-date version.

• The career offices offers several workshops targeted for our international students to prepare them for the internship and job hunt. Sign up in BizLink or Bullseye, powered by Handshake as appropriate.
• Create a profile in Interstride, a career tool for international students that offers U.S. visa insights and webinars on how to execute a successful job search in the U.S.  You can also investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.
  
• In addition, attend all appropriate workshops provided by International Student Services (ISS), especially those pertaining to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Review cover letter and job search correspondence resources. Any letter or email sent to a potential employer must be error-free, appropriately formatted and tailored to the company's needs and the desired employment opportunity. Check the CRC and Career Design Center websites for templates, guides and more. You can always get your correspondence and profile reviewed by the CRC or the Career Design Center. Here are the CRC's cover letter resources.

After watching the Advanced Interviewing workshop series and viewing the CRC interviewing guide and tips, schedule a practice interview with Melissa Ruggiero via BizLink or Holly Justice via Bullseye, powered by Handshake to set a baseline interview. This will help you be prepared in case an employer calls you for an interview unexpectedly

• When scheduling the interview appointment through BizLink, submit a sample job posting.
• When scheduling an interview appointment through Bullseye, powered by Handshake make sure to bring a copy of your résumé and a sample job posting to the appointment.
  
• Prior to your practice interview, you may want to review the CRC interviewing guide and tips or complete your own privately recorded interview through Big Interview (free when you sign up with UB email address).

Some companies recruit summer interns in early fall, so it is important to monitor BizLink and Bullseye as well as company websites for internship and job opportunities. Some résumé deadlines are as early as September, while other companies wait until they have an immediate need. BizLink and Bullseye also list Employer Information Sessions. 

• If you are interested in a company who does not recruit on the UB campus, consider attending a national career fair and view the college hiring section of those company’s’ websites early as there may be résumé deadlines as early as late summer.
  
• If you are interested in a company who does not recruit on the UB campus, it does not mean the company does not want you to apply. They do! Apply via the college recruitment section, or student-hiring section of their website. Be mindful of their application schedule.

Join student organizations and local professional associations that relate to your functional area of interest. The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences hosts an additional list of SEAS student organizations you may find interesting.

As you progress in your program, also progress in your career development.

Research and identify a list of companies to target for internship and/or full-time job opportunities. Use the following tools:

• Mergent Intellect (found on UB Libraries): Research individual companies and the industry in which they reside, or build a list of companies within specific industries and/or geographic locations to target for internships or jobs
• Career Connector: Investigate top employers by rankings, gain valuable career knowledge in the Career Guides and Industry Guides and find career connections. (Site is currently under construction. It is expected to be back online in fall of 2023.)
• Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé. Conduct a targeted email (or direct mail) campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, professors and alumni as well as friends and family.
• Glassdoor: Create an account and gain an insider’s view of company reviews, how they interview, salaries and more
• Interstride: A tool for international students to improve U.S. job search success. You can investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.
• MyVisaJobs: Investigate if a specific company has petitioned for an H-1B before, or conduct research on top prospects based on city, industry, etc.
• Follow your target companies on social media (i.e. Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) as companies often post internships and jobs there before other, more expensive methods. Follow key people from those organizations as well.

Keep an Excel file of these companies, contacts and activity. Keep text of the positions you apply to for when you get called for the interview. 

Some companies advertise summer internships or full-time positions for those graduating in June as early as September. It is important to monitor BizLink (and Bullseye) as well as company websites for internship and job opportunities. Other companies wait until they have an immediate need. BizLink also lists Employer Information Sessions. 

• If you are interested in a company who does not recruit on the UB campus, consider attending a national career fair and view the college hiring section of those company’s’ websites early. Résumé deadlines could begin as early as June (a whole year before).
• If you are interested in a company who does not recruit on the UB campus, it does not mean the company does not want you to apply. They do! Apply via the college recruitment section, or sturdent-hiring section of their website. Be mindful of their application schedule.
  

Attend both the UB Management Career and Internship Expo and the UB STEAM Fair in early fall. Some of the attending companies will hold on-campus interviewing (virtual or in-person) immediately or shortly after the fair. (However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions.) Review the CRC's Job Fairs and Events page for more information, including the national career fairs. Potential financial assistance for conferences can be requested through the WOW Fund via BizLink | Jobs.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Many of the employers who attend national career fairs focus on domestic candidates at the fair. However, it may be an opportunity to connect with company representatives for future opportunities. 

Spend your break networking, learning and updating your brand. 

Revise your LinkedIn profile and résumé to showcase your new projects. Upload your new résumé and update your profile and preferences in both BizLink and Bullseye.

Tips on Formatting Your Résumé Using Word
Using the CRC template is important, but you may still want to watch this quick video to learn the MS Word hacks necessary to format your résumé professionally.

Continue building your network and relationships using the CRC networking resources.

Conduct informational interviews with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using LinkedIn and UB Career Connector Network. (Career Connector is currently under construction. It is expected to be back online in fall of 2023.)

Attend on-campus job fairs and networking events within the community. However, do not rely solely on on-campus interviewing for full-time positions.

Continue to research and identify a list of companies to target for full-time job opportunities. Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé.  Conduct a targeted direct mail/email campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, faculty and alumni, as well as friends and family. Understand when each company on your list recruits college grads for new positions.

Learn more about searching for internships.

Continue building your network and relationships using the CRC networking resources.

Conduct informational interviews with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using LinkedIn and UB Career Connector Network. (Career Connector is currently under construction. It is expected to be back online in fall of 2023.)

Take this opportunity to intern and implement what you have been learning in the program.

Alternatives to interning include working on existing projects or research with faculty, earning a certification, working a job (on campus if you are international), traveling, etc.

Some other ways to gain experience may include working on short-term company projects, volunteering, or micro-internships. However, international students need to verify eligibility with International Student Services (ISS).

• Forage
• Idealist
• ParkerDewey
• United Way
• VolunteerMatch

Update your résumé to include new projects and any other relevant experiences, including an internship using the CRC résumé resources.

The relevance and content of your LinkedIn profile is important. The more relevant your profile, the easier it is for recruiters and hiring managers to find you.  This short video can help you update your profile.

Continue building your network and relationships using the CRC networking resources.

Conduct informational interviews with alumni working in positions, companies or geographic areas of interest using LinkedIn and UB Career Connector Network. (Career Connector is currently under construction. It is expected to be back online in fall of 2023.)

Continue to research and identify a list of companies to target for full-time job opportunities. Go directly to company websites for information about how to submit your résumé.  Conduct a targeted direct mail/email campaign to companies of interest. Also, network with fellow students, faculty and alumni, as well as friends and family. Understand when each company on your list recruits college grads for new positions.

Determine your market-value by researching salary statistics by degree, location, career and industry using a number of resources. Begin with the CRC's salary resources. Also collect a few data points to determine your salary expectations and range.

Review information on Managing Job Offers and Compensation Negotiations.

• Your acceptance of an internship or job offer is binding. Do not accept an offer, even verbally, until you are certain you are committed. 
• Do not back out after accepting; that's called reneging, and is unethical. It will negatively impact your professional reputation, the reputation of the program and ultimately, could affect the value of your degree.

Apply for your Optional Practical Training (OPT) in a timely manner so that you are eligible to begin working full-time for your prospective employer. 

• It takes at least three months for OPT to be authorized. 
• If you are not eligible to begin working when the employer requests you to start, the employer may not wait for your OPT authorization.  
• It is important you plan ahead on applying for your OPT. You can submit paperwork for your OPT beginning three months before your conferral date. 
  

Within two to three months of graduation, you should no longer be looking at the "college hiring" section of company websites. Focus on immediate openings for experienced candidates.

As soon as you graduate, you are a member of the School of Management Alumni Association. We recommend updating your contact information and joining the LinkedIn group.

Update your LinkedIn account to show your new employer and job title and keep in contact. The CRC often reaches out to alumni from the program to help advise current students about companies, industries, markets and hiring processes.