Applications are now open for the University of Alabama (UA) System Capitol Scholars Program, an immersive summer internship experience in Washington, D.C., designed for high-achieving students from UA System campuses who are interested in careers in or around government.

School is back in session! Chargers, are you ready to rock this semester?! We hope this summer was productive but also relaxing. Did you read any of our blogs this summer? Not to flex, but they were kind of amazing. The UAH Office of Career Services is very busy this August hosting our annual events: Co-Op Kick Off, Part-Time Job Fair, and the Fall 2022 Career Fair! We are so excited for students to be back on campus pursuing careers they love. Use  to help get your mind right for the upcoming semester with some good vibes and confidence boosters. Let’s crush this semester and get our dream internship, co-op, or job!.

1. Tattoos Together by Lauv
2. Carrying Your Love by David Morris
3. Stacy by Quinn XCII
4. TV by Billie Eilish 
5. 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready) by Lizzo 
6. Golden by Harry Styles
7. Dancing in the Mirror by Glades
8. Missing Piece by Vance Joy
9. Stay With Me by Calvin Harris
10. Change by Djo
11. Brazil by Declan McKenna
12. Just Like A Movie by Wallows
13. Campus by Vampire Weekend
14. Paradise by Coldplay
15. Sleeping On My Dreams by Jacob Collier
16. Erase by Omar Apollo
17. August by Taylor Swift
18. Can I Get It by Adele
19. Electric Feel by MGMT
20. Free by Florence + The Machine
21. Times Are Hard for Dreamers by the Original Cast of Amelie
22. Then It All Goes Away by Dayglow
23. Motion Sickness by Phoebe Bridgers
24. Kilby Girl by The Backseat Lovers

Wow, it is hot outside!! But that’s okay. We are living our best life during summer 2022! With new opportunities within our internships and co-ops and getting excited to finally meet our newest Chargers, the class of 2026, we can’t wait for the fall semester to start! Check out the Office of Career Service's  to relax the rest of this summer.

1. I Quit Drinking by Kelsea Ballerini, LANY
2. Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader
3. Glimpse of Us by Joji
4. Touch by Little Mix
5. Cinema by Harry Styles 
6. How Do You Sleep by Sam Smith 
7. Cheap Thrills by Sia
8. Bam Bam (feat. Ed Sheeran) by Camila Cabello
9. I Lived by OneRepublic
10. This Love (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift
11. Summer by Calvin Harris
12. Shape of You by Ed Sheeran
13. Best Day of My Life by American Authors
14. Where’d All The Time Go? by Dr.Dog
15. Begin Again by Adam Melchor
16. A-O-K by Tai Verdes
17. This is What Falling In Love Feels Like by JVKE  
18. Summer Nights from Grease
19. Sunroof by Nicky Youre
20. My Love by Florence + The Machine
21. Tiny Dancer by Elton John
22. Riptide by Vance Joy
23. Backwards by Forrest.
24. Shotgun by George Ezra

YAY! You’re HIRED! I need your social security number, bank statements, and the title to your car then we can pay you way too much money for a position you didn’t even apply for! 

Well, obviously, and unfortunately, this is a scam; but sometimes it’s not so easy to see when you find a vague job description on a job board or get an exciting unsolicited email from someone who says they work for your dream company (but with a Gmail address?). There are going to be scammers and some multi-level marketing companies targeting college students, especially fresh graduates, with opportunities to make money quickly. 

Here are some key questions to ask yourself when you see something that feels too good to be true:

1. Do I know this employer? If you did not reach out to this company, it’s safe to say to ignore the email, especially if it’s a job offer, or phrased in a way that suggests you have a short time frame to respond for immediate hiring. If you didn’t submit anything, they have no information to reach out to! Legitimate recruiters and hiring managers use sites like Handshake or their applicant tracking system to communicate with potential candidates and post their jobs. They also use their official company emails to respond to inquiries that you initiate by applying for a job or asking for an informational meeting. If they say they’re a recruiter with “X” company, you can look them up on LinkedIn or the company website to make sure it’s their legitimate contact information. 
2.  Is this too much information? If this mystery “employer” asks for the basic information you have obviously not already given it. If they insist that you text, or even email, instead of calling and actually speaking, it is probably a scam. If they ask for banking information prior to signing an employment agreement or pay only through third-party apps and never directly (for example, through Paypal) it’s a scam. If they offer you big bonuses for signing on, or promise advanced pay, it is most likely a scam. 
3. Where does this link lead? If the email includes links, do not click them. If you want to see what they lead to, hover your mouse and look at the address. Assess if the link seems to lead to a real website or not. Be sure to look for typos or bad sentence structures.
4. What are you doing on the job? Not all vague job descriptions are going to be scams, but if there are very few job details, it’s probably too good to be true. When these “employers” emphasize “no experience necessary” and offer a high pay rate instead of telling you the actual job responsibilities they may not be who they say they are. Good job descriptions include job responsibilities, qualifications and skills, information about the company, and realistic pay rates. Be sure to look for the official posting on the official company website.
5. Do you have to spend your own money? Jobs that require you to purchase something for them or from them are typically red flags. Sometimes, companies will require you to purchase your own uniforms, but only they can provide the appropriate supplies. Real companies pay YOU for training—it’s a part of the job. They also will supply you with the tools needed to be successful in the role. 
6. Do they even know you? Sure, you’ve got a great resume on your LinkedIn and ChargerPath that they found, but getting a job offer should be a little harder than pressing “apply now”. Interviews are also the time for you to be able to ask questions of employers and make sure it’s the right fit for you. 

On ChargerPath, the UAH Office of Career Services strives to review employers and their full-time, part-time, and internship postings to confirm that they are legitimate. However, on occasion one slips through the cracks. If you ever see anything on Handshake that feels phishy, send the post number or forward the message you received from an employer to chargerjobs@uah.edu for review and removal. Use caution, have some healthy skepticism, and pay attention to indications of malintent.

While internships and co-ops are a great way to gain skills and explore a career field, many students seem to think that it is the ONLY option for how to spend your summer in the eyes of employers. But to be honest, you don’t HAVE to have one. Instead, employers are looking for your skills and how you’ve discovered your career interests. There are so many ways to achieve your goals of being a marketable employer. Here are four tips below to help make you competitive on a resume without an internship.

Refresh your Knowledge

LinkedIn Learning, and other online job platforms, offer online courses on a variety of topics. 

Hint: Read through internship or job descriptions in an area of interest to identify specific skills that are valued in that industry that employers are seeking in recent grads.

Learn New Skills

Returning to an old summer job is always a great idea! If there are specific skills you are looking to gain this summer, consider whether there are ways to enhance or add on to that summer job in order to give yourself a new opportunity. Proposing something new to your boss that will, for example, make their job easier, improve a process, or have some other benefit to the organization you work for will likely be well-received and will demonstrate your drive.

Connect with Chargers

Setting up some exploratory career conversations and/or job shadow opportunities with UAH alums or others in fields you are exploring is a great way to explore your interests and make connections. Using ChargerPath, you can reach out to people who shared your major, are working in fields you are exploring, or that simply sounds interesting. 

Volunteer in Your Community

Another summer option is to find an organization that you are passionate about and volunteer. Volunteer work allows you to gain some experience and skills, while also allowing you to feel good about giving back to the community! It also may allow for a more flexible schedule if that’s appealing or necessary to you. You can find volunteer opportunities that suit you on websites such as or .

Hey Chargers, we hope you are having an AMAZING summer! Take some time to relax while you’re out on the beach, in the mountains, or in the comfort of your own home. Go grab some ice cream, enjoy the sunshine, and listen to some pretty cool jams on the ! We want this summer to be a great time to recharge your batteries, but we can’t wait to see you back in the fall- we’ve got some big new events in store!

1. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
2. Late Night Talking - Harry Styles
3. Walking on A Dream - Empire of the Sun
4. Sweetest Devotion - Adele
5. Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae
6. Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows) - Edison Lighthouse
7. All I Need - Jacob Collier
8. Dog Days Are Over - Florence + The Machine
9. Deja Vu - Olivia Rodrigo
10. Orange Show Speedway - Lizzy McAlpine
11. Hypotheticals - Lake Street Dive
12. Livin’ It Up on Top - Hadestown Original Broadway Company
13. Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears for Fears
14. Fire - Sara Bareilles
15. Honey - Rook Monroe
16. Come Back - Ben Platt
17. Music for a Sushi Restaurant - Harry Styles
18. First Class - Jack Harlow

You did it, congratulations! You've made it to the end of the Fall semester. It is time to relax and enjoy your holiday break. Whether you are working, traveling, or studying, it is important to enjoy time with your friends and family this holiday season. Make sure to grab a yummy peppermint mocha and sit by the fire with a cozy blanket to listen to ! Be sure to check out our blog post, Making the Most of the Holiday Job Search, if you are looking for some tips on job searching strategies. See you in the Spring 2022 semester, Chargers!

1. Strawberries and Cigarettes by Troye Sivan 
2. Kissin’ in the Cold by JP Saxe and Julia Michaels 
3. Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande
4. Back to December by Taylor Swift
5. Baby It’s Cold Outside by Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé
6. Christmas Lights by Coldplay
7. Glittery by Kasey Musgraves and Troye Sivan
8. Leave The Door Open by Bruno Mars
9. Heat Waves by Glass Animals
10. Thunder / Young Dumb & Broke by Imagine Dragons and Khalid
11. Time by NF
12. Confetti by Little Mix
13. working by Tate McRae and Khalid
14. Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms
15. Shivers by Ed Sheeran

Spooky season is over and now November is here! We have so much to be thankful for in this season. As we wrap up Homecoming Events and head into the Holiday season, we’re thankful for any opportunity to celebrate what makes UAH great! We were thrilled to win first place overall in the annual Paint the Town Blue competition, and we’d also like to congratulate our Career Ambassadors who were on the 2021 Homecoming Court: Layne Bleyswyk, David Cleland, Maggie Maxime, Calista Sylvester, and Cierra Viezer.

We know this is a busy time of year, but we hope you take a moment to enjoy all that this season brings. What’s your favorite part of Thanksgiving? The yummy food, chilly weather, or nonstop football games? Whatever you choose, we are so excited to share with you! This playlist is great for studying for finals or even traveling home for the holidays. Good luck in the upcoming finals season, Chargers!

1. Don’t Give Up on Me by Andy Grammer 
2. Need Someone by Zara Larsson
3. ilym (feat. ROSIE) by John K
4. Starstruck by Years and Years
5. Hate You + Love You by Cheat Codes (feat. AJ Mitchell)
6. Break My Heart by Dua Lipa
7. Sunday Best by Surfaces
8. Oh Cecilia by The Vamps
9. Dancing in the Dark by Rihanna
10. Kings and Queens by Ava Max
11. La Di Da by Lennon Stella 
12. Easy on Me by Adele
13. My Universe by Coldplay 
14. Friends by Ella Henderson 
15. Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift

Pumpkin spice and the music are nice! Chargers, there is so much to look forward to this month! Play the  during your relaxing Fall Break or studying for midterms. Don’t forget Homecoming is coming up on October 27-30th! Check out our awesome pomp located in front of the Student Services Building that week. Graduating soon? We are hosting the Graduate and Professional Schools Expo on October 5 from 11:00-1:30 in the CU. Grab a cozy blanket and a pumpkin cream cold brew, and let's have an awesome month!

1. Summer Love by Justin Timberlake
2. Electric Love by BORNS
3. Like Real People Do by Hozier
4. Doin’ Dirt by Maroon 5
5. Be Like That - ft Swae Lee and Khalid by Kane Brown 
6. cardigan by Taylor Swift
7. Cover Me in Sunshine by P!NK
8. cowboy in LA by LANY
9. Missing You by The Vamps
10. when was it over? (ft. Sam Hunt) by Sasha Alex Sloan
11. Spaceman by Nick Jonas
12. Coffee by Tori Kelly
13. This City by Sam Fischer
14. Better When I’m Dancing by Meghan Trainor

Although the semester just started, it is important to be prepared for the next steps in your career. As a soon-to-be college graduate, you have a couple of options for continuing on in your education and career, such as graduate or professional school. The Office of Career Services is ready to give you 7 easy steps to make sure your applications are stellar for your upcoming interviews. We will also be hosting The UAH Graduate and Professional School Expo on , and again on , from 11:00 am-1:30 pm.   

What is graduate school? UAH Graduate School

Graduate school programs are academic courses of study that offer more advanced programs of study (beyond a bachelor's degree) in certain disciplines. This can mean earning a master's degree on its own or as a step toward a Ph.D. program.

What is a professional school? UAH Preprofessional Advising

Professional school programs help prepare students for careers in specific fields. Professional schools would be something like medical, law, pharmacy, or veterinary school. The length of these programs vary. Professional degrees are often required by law before an individual can begin work in a particular occupation or field.  

How do you apply to graduate and professional school?

1. Build your school list.    

When building your school list, it is important to remember that you should categorize your schools by competitive admission, certain admission, and targeted admission.

• Competitive admission will be the schools that are competitive, challenging, and only top students are admitted.
• Certain admission will be the schools that are certain acceptance. You typically exceed the GPA and minimum test scores requirements. If you earned your bachelor's degree at a university that has a more competitive admissions process than one of the graduate schools on your list, consider it a safety school.
• Targeted admission are the schools to which you have a likely chance of being accepted. You meet all the requirements and qualifications but it is still a little competitive.

We suggest having multiple schools in each of the school categories for a more well-rounded application process and a higher chance of acceptance.

2. Personal statement 

Your personal statement is extremely important! It will set you apart from all the other students trying to get admitted to the same program as you. When writing your personal statement, you want to catch the readers' attention. Remember that the office of admissions reads tons of essays!

Write about yourself in a way that shows how you'll be an asset to the school. This means that you may have to write one to each school, instead of a general statement.

Make sure to ask a trusted mentor or professional to read your statements before you send them out. You may have a couple of small mistakes. By getting them proofread, it can help you catch mistakes before they're submitted.

3. Recommendations 

Most graduate and professional schools will ask for multiple recommendations. Make sure you are using different, credible sources. For example, a professor and boss will say two different things about you as a student and as an employee.

Make sure you give your recommenders plenty of time. Don't ask them just a few days before your deadline. The more time they have, the more time they have to think through everything great that needs to be said about you! Make sure you give some wiggle room to your writers for your application deadlines; ask for recommendations back at least a couple weeks before you actually need them.

Share a copy of your personal statement with the people who are recommending you. This allows for them to know what you said about yourself, so there is no repeating.

4. Request transcripts well ahead of application deadlines.

You will have to request an official transcript from the college or university from which you graduated or took classes from. You may be able to do it online through the schools' websites, or you can call the registrar's office. Be prepared to pay for each transcript.

Arrange to have your schools send the official transcripts directly to the graduate or professional school to which you are applying to, as some schools will not accept transcripts coming directly from you. Send all of your transcripts ahead of time, so you do not procrastinate. 

5. Gather examples of work you've done.

If you have to submit examples of work you've done, ask one of your trusted professors to look over it. It needs to be your best work! It is probable that in your admission interview, they'll make reference to your work. Be ready to talk about it in depth.

6. Meet with the appropriate university offices before you graduate.

There are many offices to visit at UAH to make sure you have everything you need for success. For example, The Office of Career Services can help with a mock interview before your big day! 

7. Triple-check each graduate school application requirement.

As an applicant, you must ensure you have every requirement in your admissions application packets. Be sure you are submitting every piece of information with the correct certifications. If it is possible, submit your applications early! Most people wait until the last minute, so your application will be better read if it's early. 

The UAH Graduate and Professional School Expo is on , and again on , from 11:00 am-1:30 pm! Check your Charger Path profile to register now and see which schools will be attending the fairs--the list will vary for each fair!