Career Services

Career Services UCNJ

At Union College of Union County, New Jersey (UCNJ) Career Services is committed to supporting students, current and alumni job seekers, and professionals in achieving their career goals. We provide a wide range of services to help individuals navigate the ever-changing job market, from career counseling, career exploration, resume building, job search strategies, and interview preparation. We also pride ourselves on ensuring that our students are career-ready in alignment with the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE) core competencies.

Our team, comprised of our Director and Career Student Services Specialists, works closely with students to identify their unique skills, interests, and career aspirations, offering personalized guidance to help them secure fulfilling employment and experiential learning opportunities. We are also heavily focused on building partnerships within local employers to connect them with our talented students who are ready to make an impact within Union County. Whether looking for your first job, advancing your career, or transitioning into a new field, UCNJ Career Services is here to provide the tools, resources, and support needed for success.

We also partner with local employers to connect them with talented individuals who are ready to make an impact. Together, we’re strengthening Union County’s workforce, driving economic growth, and creating brighter futures for all. UCNJ is New Jersey’s community college Together, we are transforming our community, one student at a time.

Meet the Staff

Are you Career Ready! What is Career Readiness

We are here to help you with all you need to enter the workforce.

Career Tools at Your Fingertips

Career tools play a vital role in preparing students to transition from academia to professional environments. These tools are designed to help students develop essential skills, refine their job search strategies, and present themselves as strong candidates to potential employers. Below is an overview of useful career tools available for all current UCNJ students to assist in overall career development.

All of the Career Tools are accessible through the student dashboard: my.ucc.edu.

Handshake

Handshake connects students with real-world job opportunities and networking events that align with their academic backgrounds. The platform is a hub for internships, part-time jobs, and full-time positions, offering personalized recommendations based on a student’s profile. It also facilitates direct engagement with employers, making it easier for students to showcase their talents and build professional connections.

Career Coach

Career Coach allows students to discover career paths that match their skills and interests, helping them make informed decisions. By integrating regional labor market data, it provides realistic insights into salary expectations, job availability, and future industry growth. Students can use Career Coach to explore job descriptions, required qualifications, and pathways to advance in their chosen careers.

VMock

VMock helps students craft optimized résumés that appeal to employers and ATS systems. Its AI-powered technology evaluates résumés for clarity, relevance, and impact, ensuring students present their qualifications in the best possible way. With tailored feedback on content and formatting, students can refine their résumés to effectively highlight their skills and experiences, increasing their chances of landing interviews.

Stepping Blocks

Stepping Blocks provides students with data-driven career insights that guide long-term career growth and development. By analyzing real-world career trajectories, the platform helps students understand how others in similar fields advanced in their careers. It also identifies gaps in skills or education, empowering students to make informed decisions about additional training or experiences to reach their career aspirations.

Focus 2

Focus 2 offers a self-assessment that directs students towards fulfilling career options based on their unique traits and preferences. It guides students through career exploration by identifying their strengths, values, and interests, and matches them with suitable fields and roles. The tool also helps students set actionable career goals, offering a step-by-step plan for achieving professional success.

For our upcoming events please visit our Owl Space Departmental Page: https://owlsspace.ucc.edu/organization/careerservices/events

Would you like to schedule a Career Services Advising Appointment? Go to Meet the Team to schedule an appointment with a Career Student Service Specialist.

Internships

Employers

Career Services is continuously developing relationships with constituents throughout Union County and beyond. As such, we offer the below services:

• Career Fairs, which are no cost to any employer
• Free job and internship postings
• Networking opportunities for businesses on campus
• On-campus interviewing
• Recruitment tables on all three campuses for businesses to speak to students

Employers – Register here!

We are so excited that you are seeking to connect with our institution and her is how. We ask that you follow the steps listed below to have the ability to:

• Attend Career Fairs throughout the academic year
• Tabling opportunities on multiple campuses
• Receive messages periodically directly from UCNJ Career Services
• Ability to post job openings and internship opportunities

UCNJ Career Services welcomes you as a prospective employer partner by following the steps below:

1. Create an Employer Handshake Account Hire Students and Graduates | Handshake (joinhandshake.com)
2. Request a connection with Union College of Union County, NJ Union College of Union County, New Jersey | Handshake (joinhandshake.com)
3. Begin posting jobs! (Jobs are usually approved within 5 business days) Post & Manage Jobs – Handshake Help Center (joinhandshake.com). For any troubleshooting issues with Handshake please contact careerservices@ucc.edu.

Let us Post your Flyer

Do you have physical flyers? Please send them to us, and we can post them on our career board. (Send at least 4-5 copies of each flyer) to this address:

Attn: Jasmine V. Jilus – Director of Career Services
UCNJ – Cranford Campus, SD 117
1033 Springfield Avenue
Cranford, NJ 07016-1599

You can also submit your flyers by completing this form so we can post on our social media accounts

Faculty and Staff

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Core Competencies serve as a framework to define the key skills and attributes that prepare students for career readiness and success in the workplace. with the rebirth of the Career Services Department at UCNJ we focused on our foundation being built on these very same competencies. These eight competencies—Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Communication, Teamwork/Collaboration, Professionalism/Work Ethic, Equity and Inclusion, Leadership, Career and Self-Development, and Technology—are designed to help students transition seamlessly from academia to professional environments. They reflect the skills employers value most in new graduates, emphasizing not only technical knowledge but also interpersonal abilities, adaptability, and self-awareness. By developing these competencies, students can effectively navigate complex challenges, build strong professional relationships, and thrive in a diverse, technology-driven workforce. Career tools such as VMock, Handshake, Career Coach, Focus 2, and Stepping Blocks are instrumental in nurturing these competencies, equipping students with the confidence and skills they need to achieve their career goals. For more information about the NACE core competencies please visit:

Throughout the academic year, Career Services offers Career Readiness Workshops designed to equip students with the essential skills needed to excel in the workplace. These workshops align with the NACE Core Competencies, addressing critical areas such as résumé building, interview preparation, effective communication, teamwork, and professional etiquette. By participating, students gain hands-on experience, practical strategies, and personalized feedback to enhance their career readiness. Whether focusing on building a professional online presence, understanding workplace expectations, or mastering salary negotiation, these sessions are tailored to help students confidently transition from academic life to their chosen career paths.

According to a 2024 study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 64% of faculty reported that undergraduate students seek their advice on career-related topics, including job prospects, graduate school, and internships. However, many faculty members acknowledge gaps in their understanding of the labor market and institutional internship processes, areas where career services possess significant expertise. This indicates that when faculty actively connect students with career services, it can bridge these knowledge gaps, thereby enhancing students’ career readiness and success https://forms.office.com/r/VQW3GFgcdW.

For our upcoming events please visit our Owl Space Departmental Page: https://owlsspace.ucc.edu/organization/careerservices/events

Alumni

When the Union Junior College was founded back in 1933, only 243 students were enrolled in classes held at the Abraham Clark High School in Roselle. Today, 90 years later, UCNJ has become one of the top community colleges in the nation, encompassing four campuses throughout the County with more than 12,000 students enrolled annually.

We are very proud of the thousands of alumni that have graduated from UCNJ. Some of our alumni went straight into the workforce, while others continued to earn a bachelor’s degree from colleges and universities across the nation. We are humbled by the many alumni of whom have chosen to pay it forward by supporting the Union County College Foundation. By investing into UCNJ students, you are investing into the success of our community.

If you are interested in learning how you can give back to institution where you journey began, please contact our Foundation at 908.709.7505 or Visit our Foundation’s website.

Join the Alumni Association!

The UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ Alumni Association is a private non-profit organization founded in 1946, whose purpose is to assist in advancing the mission of UCNJ by maintaining a continuing relationship between alumni and the College and by strengthening the relationship between the College and the community. Joining this group not only allows you to demonstrate your pride in UCNJ, but also offers exclusive member benefits.

Alumni Association Eligibility and Enrollment
Any UCNJ graduate or former student with 30 credits or more may join the UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ Alumni Association.

For dues of only $15 for three years, or a Lifetime Membership for $125, you will become a member of a dedicated group who value the education they received at UCNJ.

Alumni Relations

Your connection with us endures well beyond your time on campus. As a UCNJ alumnus, you become part of a community dedicated to supporting your growth and future ambitions. We provide a range of tools and resources to help you stay engaged and continue your journey. There are countless opportunities for alumni to remain active, and we welcome your ideas and involvement. In our Owl’s nest, there’s always a place for you. To connect please visit: Alumni Relations – UCNJ.