Frequently Asked Questions

Schools and Academies

Career Success Coaches work with students, faculty, instructors and employers in alignment with Tri-C's academic schools and academies. This means Career Success Coaches have a deeper knowledge of each discipline and set of programs to help students, faculty, instructors and employers make quality, relevant connections.

Handshake

Handshake is a career marketplace and a career management system designed to help college students and alumni find internships and jobs while also serving as a hub for employers to recruit emerging talent. Many of our students are seeking the hands-on experiences needed to enter their chosen fields, and Handshake serves as a central platform to connect them with those opportunities.

The Career Marketplace team uses Handshake to schedule appointments, promote events, and collaborate with faculty and instructors to integrate career development into coursework, including assignments and extra credit opportunities. Powered by real-time data and AI-driven tools, Handshake connects students with employers, delivers personalized job recommendations based on individual profiles, and offers career guidance, virtual career fairs and networking opportunities. Handshake is used by 95% of four-year institutions across the United States, as well as 1 million employers and 20 million students and alumni.

Employer Visits

Career Success Coaches will be out in our region, meeting with employers in their own environments to help connect students to the right jobs.

Tri-C Internship Program: The word "summer" is no longer part of this initiative. The Tri-C Internship Program will connect students to on-campus internships (sometimes their first job) year-round. Those who have supervised students previously have already received a heads-up.

Career Peers

Career Peers support student success as relatable, student-to-student resources within the department. They work alongside Career Success Coaches to answer career questions, provide quick resume and cover letter reviews, and help students update their profiles and find internships and jobs on Handshake. They also expand the office's reach by supporting presentations, connecting with faculty and engaging fellow students to promote career resources.

Employer Participation in Career Development Events

Starting Fall 2026, we will hold events that bring employers and students together in a practice environment for resume reviews and mock interviews.

With the emphasis on driving students to use Handshake — which gives them access to jobs across the country — Pathful Explore will not be renewed, and Career Spots will be discontinued.

Focus on Student and Alumni Outcomes

We are currently prioritizing our students and alumni. While we are unable to directly serve community members, we would be happy to connect them with other career resources available through the College and throughout the community.

What Is Not Changing?

Our commitment to serving all Tri-C students and providing them with the best possible experience remains unchanged.