General Career Center Questions:

When should students first visit the Career Center?
Students can begin to use the Career Center in their  first year. The Career Center provides many services and resources to help students begin exploring career options, developing skills, and gaining experience. Part-time and work-study job postings, four-year planning guides, career options books, job and internship seminars, career interest inventories and individual career counseling are just some of the services and resources that students can (and should) utilize beginning in their freshman year.

To begin looking for full-time positions, students should attend a Focus On Your Future Program and begin their job search one to two semesters before their graduation date.

What services does the Career Center offer?
The Career Center offers students a wide variety of services and resources. In addition to providing job-listing databases for part-time, full-time, internship, co-op, and work-study positions, the Career Center offers seminars, tip sheets, career planning and counseling as well as information on job fairs, networking events, and graduate school planning.

Where can students look for jobs?
Part-time, summer, internship, co-op, and full-time positions are posted on ColonialTRAK. Work-study positions are posted on the Student Employment Program Online Job Source, linked to the Career Center homepage. Additional information is available in the Gaining Experience section of the website.

NOTE: It is the student's responsibility to complete necessary paperwork and online applications and profiles as outlined in the Gaining Experience portion of the Career Center website. In addition, they must apply for any part-time, work-study, internship, co-op and full-time positions for which they have an interest.

Why might students not be selected for on-campus interviews?
A few questions to ask the student include the following:

• "Have you registered with the Career Center by completing a ColonialTRAK user registration profile online?"
• "Have you updated your ColonialTRAK profile to reflect your current class standing(junior, senior, etc.)?"
• "Have you uploaded your resume onto ColonialTRAK?"
• "Are you applying online (using the ColonialTRAK system) for the positions that interest you?"

If the student answers "yes" to these questions and is not being selected for interviews, he/she may want to set up an appointment with a Career Counselor for a resume review and to discuss the job search process. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the Career Center.

How do I arrange to speak with a student's Career Counselor?
Although we can tell parents and family members about the services and resources that we offer to students, by law, we cannot discuss a student's specific circumstances with you.

We strongly encourage you to maintain open communication with the student regarding their internship or job search, and remind them to become involved early in the services offered by the Career Center.

If you would like to speak with someone in the Career Center about resources and services for students, please contact our office.

Do Career Center services end once a student graduates?
No, most Career Center services do not stop upon graduation. The Career Center provides a wide variety of services and resources for alumni free of charge.

Work-Study Questions:

What is the difference between Federal Work-Study (FWS) and University Student Payroll (USP)?
Federal Work-Study is granted to students, based on need. It is a grant, not a loan, and does not have to be repaid. Eligible students can choose to work on-campus or off-campus with an approved non-profit or community service agency.

University Student Payroll (USP) is funded to students by the University. It is not need-based, and students can work only on-campus. It, too, is a grant, not a loan.

If a student was awarded work-study monies, why might he/she not get a job on campus?
Work-study jobs are not guaranteed. Money is only awarded when a student obtains a position. The process to look for a work-study position is as follows:

1. Refer to the Student Employment Program Online Job Source accessible on the Career Center website.
2. Complete the Student Employment Application online and submit to any jobs that interest you.
3. Interview for positions when contacted by employers.
4. Once you have been hired, if you have never worked on campus before, stop in the Career Center to pick up an employment packet that includes the W-4, I-9, Direct Deposit, and Statement of Understanding of the Family Rights and Privacy Act forms. Return packet with completed paperwork and required documentation for the I-9 to the Career Center. (Students who have previously been on the Robert Morris University payroll do not need to complete these forms again unless any of their information changes.)
5. Watch your RMU e-mail account for a message stating the hiring process and payroll authorization have been completed, notifying you that you may now begin working.

Does the money a student earns from work-study get deducted from his/her tuition?
No, the student will be paid directly by the University for any hours that they work.

Internship Questions:

How do students get internships?
In order to seek an internship, the student should do the following:

1. Review the Academic Internship Program (AIP) and Experiential Learning tip sheets to ensure understanding of the program, procedures, and requirements.
2. Complete the Student Application form if applying for academic credit.
3. Review internship listings in ColonialTRAK and submit a resume and any other requirements for positions for which to be considered.
4. Students are also encouraged to attend any internship workshops sponsored by the Career Center and/or meet with a Career Counselor to discuss options, search strategies, and tips regarding resumes, cover letters, and interviewing.

Do students have to pay for internship credits?
That will depend upon whether or not the student is completing the internship for academic credit. In some majors, the student may be required by their academic department to take the internship for academic credit. In other majors, academic credit may be optional.

If the student is not taking the internship for academic credit, he/she does not register for the internship course and, therefore, does not pay for academic credit. In this case, the internship will not appear on the student's transcript.

If the student is taking an internship for academic credit, he/she must register for the internship and pay for the credits as they would for any other course.

In addition, the student should be sure to meet with his/her faculty advisor for the internship before and during the internship period. The faculty advisor will assign reports/projects, monitor the internship, and assign grades at the completion of the internship. It is the student's responsibility to meet with the faculty advisor and determine the academic requirements for the internship.

Other Commonly Asked Questions:

Whom can students talk to on campus if they have questions or concerns?

Academics: If this question refers to academic matters, including scheduling, the student should meet with both his/her Faculty Advisor (in the Academic School in which enrolled) and Counselor (in the Center for Student Success). The student can access this information on his/her checksheet, which is available online through Sentry Secured Services. Students interested in tutoring services can also contact the Center for Student Success.

Campus Life: Information about student judicial matters, as well as, activities or organizations on-campus is available through Student Life. Questions regarding residence hall living can be directed to Residence Life.

Career: Any career-related issues can be discussed with a counselor from the Career Center. Career Counselors are assigned to work with specific academic departments and schools at the University.

Health and Wellness: Students interested in speaking with a Counselor regarding personal issues should contact the Center for Student Success. Students seeking medical attention or services should visit Student Health Services.

Spiritual: Members of the Campus Ministry Association are available to provide pastoral care and services within the varied faith traditions.

What should a student do if he/she is considering transferring to Robert Morris University?
Contact Enrollment Services to discuss the transfer process. Transfer of credits would ultimately be evaluated by Academic Services. Also, visit About RMU to learn more about Robert Morris University.

What do students need to do to graduate?
Graduating students must submit an application for the undergraduate/graduate degree within 10 days after the beginning of the final semester of study. Applications may be picked up at the Student Support Center or requested through Academic Services. For more detailed information regarding the application, graduation fees, and commencement exercises, see Graduation Requirements.

How do students obtain a transcript?
Students/alumni may request a copy of their official academic transcript and/or their student engagement transcript (SET) onine by logging into their eServices account and clicking on the Transcripts link under the Academic heading.