Career Lab – Students
The Career Lab fosters exploration and learning related to professional development – a lifelong journey which requires continual CARE. The Career Lab creates opportunities for students and alumni to:
Connect with your peers, alumni, staff, and faculty to engage in a nursing community that inspires you to discover possibilities.
Activate your knowledge, skills, and passion to take next steps forward in pursuing the best fit for where you are in this moment.
Reflect on your present and past experiences and stay open to opportunities as you imagine the future.
Evolve by remaining curious and agile as you explore options which promote continued professional growth.
Frequently asked questions
The Career Lab offers events on resume/CV and cover letter writing, networking, and interviewing. Alumni panelists speak about diverse career options within nursing and lend advice about career transition. Many recruiters visit campus or present virtually to discuss their hiring process and timeline, including at an annual career fair.
Individual career coaching is available via Zoom or over the phone and can be scheduled through Handshake under the Career Center tab -> Appointments. For a complete list of appointments types, click here. Students are encouraged to attend career events and/or view resources in Handshake (e.g., sample resume/CV, cover letter guide), so that your individual appointment is focused less on the basics and more on tailoring to your story and your targets. Resources can be found in Handshake under the Career Center tab -> Resources. Please email any documents to be reviewed to your coach before a phone/Zoom appointment.
The Career Lab conducts practice interviews and provides guidance on job searching and networking strategies. All students are encouraged to create a profile on LinkedIn and list Johns Hopkins School of Nursing under the Education section.Additionally, all students have access to OneHop Mentoring, a networking platform that allows you to build authentic and exclusive connections with JHU alumni. For more information on how to get started, click here.
Handshake is a 24/7 online platform which enables students to:
- Register for skill-building workshops, alumni panels, and recruitment events
- Access resources including sample resumes/CVs and cover letters, networking strategies, and common interview questions
- Schedule career coaching appointments
- View job postings
Students automatically receive a Handshake account once registered for classes. You can access the platform at https://jhu.joinhandshake.com using your JHED ID, even once you are an alumnus.
SMILE connects Johns Hopkins students with paid internships and jobs (including Federal Work Study) across all divisions of the university.
Admissions Talks: How Does the Career Lab Interface with Students?
Read about some of our events and advice from alumni.
The Career Lab is part of the JHU-wide Office of Integrative Learning and Life Design.
Testimonials
“The Career Lab was an amazing resource for me during my time in the MSN program. Coming into my fifth semester, I was experiencing a lot of nervousness about applying to jobs, my resume, and how to interview for nursing positions. They immediately helped assuage my anxieties and helped me feel prepared to take on the job process. They met with me several times and helped me secure a dream job in pediatric rehab. ”– Kaila Jean-Charles, MSN Entry ‘24
“Laura and Rachel provide amazing and comprehensive resources at the Career Lab. As SON students, we can schedule mock interviews, ask for cover letter and resume edits, and discuss future career goals with them. For me, a major highlight of their services is that they host new graduate nursing panels with Hopkins alumni from all across the US in the spring and summer to help facilitate strategies for job searching and provide clarification about the state licensure process. Collaborating with the Career Lab has immensely prepared me for job applications and interviews. Under their guidance, I was able to land my dream position as a step-down nurse in the Southern California region. ”– Radhika Batra MSN Entry 24’ and DNP Candidate
“The Career Lab kindly helped me navigate the job search process and prepare me to enter nursing as a second career. I appreciated the Career Lab’s help with both big-picture questions about navigating a career in nursing and targeted guidance on adapting my resume and cover letter for a career in healthcare.”– Brianna Levin, MSN Entry ’24
“My appointment with the career lab was not just helpful, but also a source of great pride and accomplishment that played a key role in my smooth transition to landing the dream job I wanted. The one-to-one sessions were instrumental in helping me construct my resume and practice interviews effectively. But more than that, they significantly boosted my confidence, which was crucial in my job search. I truly appreciate the support and passion of Career Lab in making us successful after graduation. Their guidance and insight not only improved my skills but also made me feel recognized and validated. ”– Madonna Kelly, DNP/MBA ‘24