What motivates you? Use these resources to connect your skills and interests with majors and careers.

Discover Your Path: Self-Assessment Tools for Career & Major Exploration

Choosing a career or major can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. At FCC, you have free access to powerful self-assessment tools designed to help you understand better and make informed decisions about your future. These tools can guide you in identifying careers and majors that align with your interests, values, and strengths.

Focus 2 Career (Free for FCC Students!)
Focus 2 Career is an all-in-one platform where you can explore your:

• Work interests
• Personality
• Values
• Skills
• Leisure interests

You can take one or all these assessments, then merge the results to see occupations and FCC majors that are a great match for you.

Career Coach by Lightcast
Looking for real-time data on careers and local job opportunities? Career Coach helps you:

• Browse Careers and Programs
• Match your interests to FCC programs

Career Coach connects your goals with career pathways—whether you're looking to enter the workforce, transfer, or explore new possibilities.

Assess Your Skills and Strengths

Value Assessment Test by MyPlan.Com
The Values Test can help you learn more about your underlying work needs and motivations and can help you decide what is important to you in a job.

Work Value Test by 123Test
Discover what truly drives and fulfills you in your career with this free online work values assessment, which identifies 14 key career values such as autonomy, creativity, and work-life balance. The test provides a reflective report to help guide your career decisions and can be combined with other tools like personality or competency assessments for deeper self-awareness.

Explore FCC Programs

What You Can Do with a Major In?z

Explore Careers

Additional Resources:

Visit our Library Resources Guide for additional career planning tools

Meet with a Academic Advisor

After self-assessment, schedule an appointment with Career Services to discuss your results and form an action plan.

Jobs & Internships: Your Launchpad to Success

Get career-ready with tools and tips for crafting standout resumes, mastering the job search, and acing interviews.

Build a Winning Resume

Tips to Stand Out:

• Lead with a Professional Summary
  Replace the old “Objective” with a 5–7 sentence summary that showcases your strengths, interests, and unique value.
• Tailor It for Every Job
  Customize your resume to match the position you're applying for—show you’ve done your homework.
• Keep It Current
  Regularly update your resume so you're always ready when opportunities arise.

Helpful Tools:

• FCC Library – Resume & Cover Letter Resources
• LiveCareer – Free resume builder, templates, and examples
• Federal Resumes– Tips on how to create a federal resume from USA Jobs
• Career Coach Resume Builder
• My Career Advisor

Find the Right Fit: Job & Internship Search Tips

• Network, Network, Network
  Most jobs are found through people—reach out, attend events, and make connections.
• Know Your Target
  Be intentional. Know the roles or industries you want and focus your applications.
• Use Multiple Search Tools
  Cast a wide net: career fairs, professional associations, job boards, and your campus career center.

Top Job Search Resources:

• Handshake - FCC's Career Portal.
• CollegeGrad – Job search site for new graduates
• Glassdoor – company reviews and job search tool
• Indeed – popular job search tool
• LinkedIn – World’s largest professional network
• Maryland Workforce Exchange – Maryland’s one-stop job bank
• ZipRecruiter.com – On ZipRecruiter, top companies reach out to you

Nail the Interview

Before the Big Day:

• Research the Employer
  Know the company’s mission, values, and recent news. Visit their website and LinkedIn page.
• Know Your Story
  Identify your top strengths and prepare examples that show your impact.
• Practice the STAR Technique
  Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer behavioral questions with confidence.

Interview Prep Resources:

• FCC Library – Interview Resources
• CollegeGrad – Tips on different types of interview situations

Your job or internship search is more than just submitting applications it’s about knowing your strengths, telling your story, and staying proactive.

Networking & Recruiting: Make the Right Connections

Networking isn’t just a bonus it’s essential. Around 80% of jobs are found through personal and professional connections. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing to enter your field, building relationships and gaining experience are keys to success.

Why Networking Matters

• Build Relationships Early
  Start with your classmates, professors, and community connections. Everyone you meet could be a link to your next opportunity.
• Experience Is Everything
  Internships, part-time jobs, and volunteering show off your skills—and help you meet people who can open doors.
• Stay Involved & Curious
  Attend career events, join campus clubs, and be active online. A strong network grows over time.

Networking Tools & Resources

Start Here:

• Handshake – The #1 way college students find jobs and internships
  The Muse – Networking Tips – Easy, actionable advice to build your connections
  Career Services Calendar – Stay updated on events, workshops, and employer visits

Make the Most of Employer Events

Recruiters regularly visit campus to meet FCC students—and they’re looking for people like you. Prepare to introduce yourself, ask smart questions, and follow up after events.
Pro Tip: Every event is a networking opportunity. Be confident, be curious, and be ready.

Experiential learning is the process of learning through experience, more specifically defined as “hands-on” learning and reflection. Examples of experiential learning include internships, service-learning, volunteerism, clinical experiences, field work, fellowships, practicums, simulations, apprenticeships, and research. Experiential learning helps students put classroom theory into context while building practical skills outside of the classroom. Employers expect students to have a number of experiential learning experiences upon graduation in order to be competitive job candidates.

• Contact the FCC Apprenticeship Coordinator for current opportunities.
  • Carla Milan
    Internship & Apprenticeship Coordinator
    [email protected]
    301.624.2724
• Browse and apply for internships on Indeed.com, LinkedIn.com, or other job search websites.
• Explore volunteer opportunities through Service Learning.
• Approved employers may post jobs and search applicant résumés on Handshake.

Meet with an Advisor for assistance exploring and developing your career path. Get help with career planning, resumes, cover letters, interview, job searching, and more.

Schedule an appointment with your advisor through Navigate.

Post your current positions and view applications on the Handshake, the FCC Recruiting Platform.

Meet directly with students in the Recruiter’s Corner, located in the Student Center. Your visit will be advertised through college emails, fliers, social media, and the campus events Calendar.

To reserve a recruiting date for your company, contact Dawn Garner, Coordinator of Employer Relations & Career Events, 240.629.7845

Connect with students and alumni through career fairs or networking events during an internship or job fair. Register to attend through Handshake, FCC’s Recruiting Platform. To be placed on the Career Fair invitation list, please contact Dawn Garner, Coordinator of Employer Relations & Career Events, 240.629.7845

Employers are encouraged to share their expertise and help students prepare for their job search.

Informational Interview Resource. Serve as a resource for students to understand what your career is like and provide helpful advice for getting started. (Use the same format you have for Classroom Presentations, Mock Interviews, and On Site Visits).

Classroom Presentations and Industry Panels

Present specific content related to programs of study, job searching, and tips for success in your industry.

Mock Interviews and Resume Critiques

Help students prepare for and refine their job searching techniques by giving them an idea of what employers expect from college graduates and helping them learn to articulate what they have to offer, both in writing and verbally.

On Site Visits

Provide students with an introduction to your organizational culture and career pathways through one-day shadowing events or information sessions.

For more information and assistance with your recruitment strategy needs, please contact Anne Scholl-Fiedler, Assistant Director, Career Services and Advising Career Programs, 301.624.2795. To book recruitment tables or to be added to career fairs Dawn Garner, Coordinator of Employer Relations & Career Events, 240.629.7845

Career Advisors and local employers are available to facilitate presentations and workshops in your classroom upon request.

Popular Presentation & Workshop Topics:

• What Can I Do with My Major? Considering options and researching careers
• Crafting Effective Resumes and Cover Letters
• Navigating the Interview: Strategies for getting across your best self
• Effective Job Search Methods
• Developing a LinkedIn profile and use in networking
• Presentations may also be customized to the needs of your students

Career Services can facilitate department specific recruiting events with local employers to meet the needs of your students.

Request a meeting to discuss your vision, and Career Services will help to plan, coordinate, and market the event. To request a career or recruiting event, contact Anne Scholl-Fiedler, Coordinator of Career Services, 301.624.2795

We also welcome you to refer employers and alumni to FCC for their recruitment needs.

A variety of online resources are available for students and alumni to start exploring a career direction, research major careers, begin a job search, and find out about recruiting events at FCC.

Consider placing some of these tools in your syllabus or Blackboard site as helpful resources.

• Handshake– FCC’s career portal for career and job search resources, as well as job and internship openings.
• Focus 2 – FCC’s comprehensive, online career platform that will help: 
  • identify interests, skills, values, personality, and leisure activities;
  • choose a major;
  • explore occupations; and
  • make informed career decisions.
• Library Resource Guide – Resources to help students find, explore, and research a career as well as prepare for the job search.
• Career Services – A variety of resources compiled by career advisors.  Refer students for career advising, major exploration, and job search assistance.
• Calendar of Events – A comprehensive calendar of career and recruiting events can be found on Handshake, as well as the FCC Calendar.