Career Peer Advisor Program
Learn More about the Career Peer Program!
What Our Former Career Peer Advisors Have to Say
- "The peer program is excellent for students of all career interests. As a peer, you gain skills that are necessary across many occupations and you also gain direction for your own future career path." - Lissa Townsend, Career Peer Advisor, 2007-2008.
- "I learned so much about myself by being in this program." - Samantha Charles, Career Peer Advisor, 2007-2008.
- "The Career Peer Advisor program is wonderful and full of valuable skills and opportunities for any and every individual. The staff is very helpful and responsive to how each person may want to advance and learn more about themselves. Overall it was a rewarding experience." - Eileen Zamor, Career Peer Advisor 2009-2010
- "It was an exciting and fun experience that has positively influenced my career aspirations. I would recommend this position to any ambitious and strong spirited student." – Chris Maugans, Career Peer Advisor, 2009-2010
The Career Peer Advisor Program is a year-long internship experience for undergraduates to work as paraprofessionals in the office of Career Services.
Program Mission Statement
To provide an opportunity for students to develop professional skills, to gain self awareness, and to increase confidence in applying knowledge of the career development process to their own life/career decisions while simultaneously supporting the University at Buffalo community through quality peer-to-peer interaction.
Career Peer Advisors' Contributions
- Give Career Services presentations to freshman experience courses and the campus community.
- Work individually with students in the Career Resource Library.
- Provide resume and cover letter critiques, job/internship search assistance, and information on major and career exploration during Express Career Consult hours.
- Participate in career events, workshops, and job fairs.
- Outreach to students regarding office events and programs.
- Much more!
Career Peer Advisors Gain
- 3 internship credits during the fall semester; the potential for a paid position during the spring semester.
- Resume writing/critiquing skills.
- Presentation skills.
- Helping, interpersonal and communication skills.
- Opportunity to become involved in special interest areas.
- Development of a personal career plan.
- Individualized career mentoring and coaching from dedicated career counselors and program administrators.
Eligibility and Application Process
This is a great experience for students interested in careers in higher education, counseling, teaching and communication, but if you are looking to get involved, develop public speaking skills, and help your fellow students, then this also might be a great experience for you. Students have participated from a range of majors including business, urban planning, communication, psychology, social sciences interdisciplinary, sociology and others.
- To be eligible, you must be able to dedicate a full academic year (fall and spring semester) to the program.
- You must be an undergraduate student. Preference is typically given to upperclassmen but star sophomores are certainly encouraged to apply!
- Candidates must possess excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work closely with others.
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred.
To Apply:
A completed application form must be submitted to Career Services by the deadline date to be considered. The selection and interview process will take place throughout March and April. Final decisions are made by the end of the spring semester.
2012-2013 application process has concluded. Applications for 2013-2014 will be posted on/by Feb. 2013.
Meet our 2011-2012 Career Peer Advisors!
Andrew Kij
I am a double major in Psychology and Mathematics. I am a junior at UB, and I hope to go on to graduate school also here at UB after my undergraduate work in the field of Higher Education specifically in Student Affairs.
My advice for students on the decision making process is to take it seriously and remember that this decision is important. But at the same time, I think younger students should remember that the decision isn’t final and my academic journey is a good example, from having so many different majors throughout my time at UB before finally deciding on psychology and math, that this is not a linear process.
The peer program is a great experience, resume builder, and networking opportunity but more than that I think it’s given me the self confidence to get up in front of a crowd and give a presentation. This helps with my classes because I feel more comfortable speaking in class and less self conscious about what the other students might be thinking.
Erin Kraus
I am from Amherst, New York and I attended Mt. St. Mary Academy for high school.
My advice is that you do not have to choose something that is going to be for the rest of your life. We are going to try new things throughout our life and it is ok to be unsure about exactly we want to do. Just gain as much experience has you can starting now and learn from these experiences. Life isn’t meant to be a chore, life is about discovery and joy. Spend your time wisely doing things you love with people you enjoy.
The peer program has helped me to explore the career decision making process even deeper and reach for goals that I want to achieve.
Claire Kerstein
I am currently a Junior from Rochester NY double majoring in Communication and Community and Mental Health.
My advice about the decision making process is always weigh out all of the options and look at the big picture. Do what is right for you, and do not just base your decisions solely upon one factor. It is okay to change your mind.
What I enjoy about the peer program is that I love interacting with other students and being involved with the campus community. By critiquing resumes and cover letters, I am learning valuable skills for my future. The UBE101 presentations are helping me increase my confidence level and are helping me really grow and develop as a person.
Megan Moravec
I am currently a senior finishing up a degree in Sociology with a minor in Spanish. In addition to Career Services I also enjoy assisting students at Accessibility Resources as a Student Assistant. I am the National Communications Coordinator (NCC) for the Residence Hall Association as well.
Deciding on becoming a Career Peer was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made! Everyone needs to know these career skills, so why not become experts and get to teach them?
I enjoy the people I have worked with, the skills I have learned, and I would not trade this experience for anything! The Career Peer position has helped me become more confident with my public speaking skills and it has given me more experience in a professional office setting.
Damolami Ojurongbe
I am a senior, accounting major who had no doubt about her major coming into college. I always enjoyed Math and my Accounting classes in high school intrigued me. No matter how difficult a task or class may be, it is much easier to get through if you are interested in it.
I applied for the Career Peer position because a friend thought I should. I had no idea what I was getting into and was very skeptical about the presentations being the super quiet person I am, but the support from Lauren and other counselors was amazing. It has been a great experience for me, my writing and public speaking skills have improved and I have grown as a person. One thing about the program is you get to do other things besides critiquing resumes and presentations. I got to work with other counselors on other projects that I’m very proud of.
This experience means so much to me, I came back a second year!
Sam Cavalleri
I am a senior Business major with a concentration in Human Resources. I am from Buffalo and in addition to working in Career Services I also work as a Team Leader in the Student Recruiter Unit in the Office of Admissions and as a Parent Orientation Leader in the Office of New Student Programs. My experiences as an undergrad have led me to pursue a career in Higher Education and Student Affairs and I am currently applying to graduate programs.
My advice when it comes to decision making is to seek out the help of a mentor in the field you are going into. It is much easier to make a decision when you have all the facts about a specific major or career path and the best way to gain that information is from professionals already in that particular field or industry.
The Peer Program has really solidified my interest in Higher Education and it has helped me find something that I have a passion for. I have learned so much from working with the professional staff in the office that you cannot necessarily get from just reading a textbook or listing to a lecture in class. The program has given me the hands on experience that I believe I need to be successful in my chosen field.