Welcome to "The Professionals Podcast," hosted by Amanda Gillespie and Luke Kasim. In this episode, they are joined by Ms. Nicole Mintz, Director of Career Services for the College of Professional Studies. Nicole provides one-on-one coaching, programming, and resources to assist students and alumni in exploring opportunities, developing job search strategies, and sustaining lifelong career services.

Nicole shares her passion for supporting students and alumni throughout their career journeys, emphasizing the importance of ongoing career development. She highlights how career services at the College of Professional Studies are committed to helping individuals create authentic career stories, whether they are students or alumni.

Nicole explains how students and alumni can access career services, including one-on-one coaching appointments through the GW career portal, Handshake. She discusses the wide range of topics covered in coaching sessions, from job search strategies to resume writing and interview preparation. She also touches on the role of applicant tracking systems and AI in today's job market.

The conversation explores the future of resumes and LinkedIn's potential to replace traditional resumes. Nicole emphasizes the importance of a well-crafted online presence, which includes using keywords effectively to navigate the AI-driven hiring process.

The hosts also dive into the Career Builder Series, a program that connects students, alumni, program directors, employers, and more to discuss trending topics and industry insights. Nicole explains how these sessions help individuals gain direction and knowledge about their chosen field.

Throughout the episode, Nicole's enthusiasm for helping individuals discover their strengths and pursue fulfilling careers shines through. She shares a heartwarming success story of a career changer who transitioned from a seemingly unrelated field to publishing, demonstrating the transformative power of career services.

Nicole emphasizes that career services at the College of Professional Studies are there to support individuals throughout their career journeys, from the moment they enter the program to long after they become alumni. She encourages prospective students to consider the valuable career support available to them as they invest in their education and professional growth.

The episode concludes with Nicole highlighting the importance of integrating classroom learning with intentional career development, emphasizing that it's not just about the grade but about crafting your unique career story.

Listeners are encouraged to reach out with questions, feedback, or recommendations for future podcast episodes.

This episode of "The Professionals Podcast" provides valuable insights into the role of career services in adult education, the ever-evolving landscape of resumes and online presence, and the ongoing support available to students and alumni pursuing their career goals.