University of Phoenix announced a new commitment to career services for its graduates that reinforces and emphasizes its long-standing focus on career exploration.

Career Services for Life ™ expands University of Phoenix’s core belief that its students and alumni deserve quality services that connect them to opportunities to enhance their careers, explore new career paths and tap into a network of dedicated alumni.

With the new commitment, University of Phoenix ensures that active degree and certificate-seeking students and graduates have access to an array of services. They include:

• Lifetime access to career tools and resources for all University of Phoenix students
• Access to a full suite of career services including career support for active students in degree and certificate programs and graduates
• Career-relevant education options including additional degrees and certificate options

Active students are defined as those who have attended a course in the past 30 days or are on an approved leave of absence. Graduates are those who have successfully completed a University of Phoenix degree or certificate program.

Rich Array of Career Services for Students and Graduates

Students and graduates access career tools via the University of Phoenix career portal, PhoenixLink. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the online portal provides:

• Resume support and templates for resumes and cover letters
• Career Explorer to discover new opportunities
• Career content and videos that help students and graduates consider careers that match their interests

In addition to online resources, University of Phoenix students pursuing degrees or certificates can get help from the University’s career staff. These experts are available to help students identify potential careers and make informed decisions.

Career advisors help students stay focused on career goals by helping with:

• Exploring career options
• Transitioning to a new career
• Planning a job search
• Developing a personal brand
• Practicing for a job interview
• Negotiating salary

University graduates have access to this suite of career services throughout their education and career journey.

Among the resources is an online career assessment tool. This assessment allows users to explore career and degree programs that match their interests.

The brief assessment helps with recommendations for possible career options and educational pathways that can meet identified career goals. By answering 60 questions about desired career paths, the tool identifies traits that define each student’s professional strengths.

The tool uses an algorithm to assign a percentage value to possible careers along with jobs, job descriptions and projected job growth rates. It also identifies a group of career clusters, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, that may be of interest.

The University of Phoenix Career Development Cycle

At University of Phoenix, Career Services staff help students explore careers via the Career Development Cycle, a four-stage process to help guide learners. The stages are:

• Imagine. Students ask what they want their next career to be and what jobs are a good match for their interests. Using PhoenixLink, students use the career assessment tool and other resources to pinpoint possible career paths.
• Investigate. Students conduct in-depth research about careers that align with identified interests. Career Services staff help students with the analysis of career options and defining goals around career readiness. Counselors also help with learning opportunities and program-related projects.
• Implement. Students turn to action, using tools to hone cover letters and resumes while practicing for interviews and networking. They also draw on University resources for job listings, the alumni network, mentoring opportunities and events such as career fairs.
• Iterate. Career exploration is an ongoing exercise. Students are encouraged to consider one- and three-year career aspirations and use this time to reflect, plan and become more self-aware about strengths and possibilities.

“University of Phoenix is a known provider of higher education and has long focused on helping our students educationally prepare for careers. Our University’s degrees and certificates are aligned to 300+ occupations,” said University of Phoenix Provost and Chief Academic Officer John Woods. “We have advisory councils made up of leaders in their fields who meet periodically to review industry needs and trends, providing valuable insights that help us keep our programs relevant. All of this guides the design of our curriculum to help students learn real-world skills needed in the workforce.”

“We are excited about our next steps towards helping students find, and continue to grow in, their desired careers,” continued Woods. “Our Career Services for Life™ commitment will give our past and present students tools to help them along their path.”

The career-relevant education that University of Phoenix provides is designed for adult learners. Programs are developed and taught by faculty with an average of 26 years of working experience, bringing a practical, skills-based education to the classroom.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix, founded in 1976, provides adult learners with online and in-person courses designed for busy professionals. With flexible schedules, real-world-focused courses and interactive learning, University of Phoenix prepares students with practical skills for professional success.

University of Phoenix is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers more than 300 programs for associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. 

University of Phoenix faculty bring real-world professional experience to their courses with classes that are short and start monthly. In addition to Career Services for Life, students also have access to an online learning platform, online library and writing and math labs. To learn more, visit phoenix.edu.