The Leadership and Career Development Team believes that people continue to learn, grow, and develop throughout their lives, and we want every Rainier Scholar to have the opportunity to explore their interests, build skills, and pursue their passions. As a team, we identify and provide access to academic, leadership, and professional development opportunities, and engage partners in ways that center and benefit our scholars.

The resources below are designed to assist scholars and alumni in their professional exploration and development. The Rainier Scholars Career Development Team also facilitates high school and college internship placements, professional development workshops and programming, career exploration events, and networking connections, and is available to scholars and alumni for 1:1 career coaching and support.

Identifying and Exploring Your Interests and Purpose

• Career Exploration Resources
  • Candid Careers (short videos about a wide range of sectors/roles)
  • College Board Big Future Career Exploration Tool
• Personality and Interest Assessment to help you identify Interests and Aptitudes
  • 16 Personalities Test (Myers Briggs Based)
  • Enneagram Test & The 9 Types
  • 123 Career Aptitude Test
  • Sparktype Assessment
• Purpose Identification Venn Diagram (Reflective Exercise)

Looking for Jobs & Internships: Some Places to Start!

• General Multi-Sector Job Listings
  • LinkedIn
  • Handshake (university email or subscription required)
  • Indeed
  • Jobs Board for POC (UW Resource)
• Public Nonprofit Sector
  • Idealist
  • USA Jobs (Federal Government)
  • City of Seattle, King County Careers (Local Government)
• Life Kit: How to Get a Job After College (podcast)

Identifying Equitable and Inclusive Workspaces

• Evaluating a Prospective Employer’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice (RS Handout)

Resume Guides and Templates

• Sample Resume for HS Students (RS Guide)
• FutureMap College Resume Template
• Action Verbs for Resumes
• BIPOC & First-Gen Brag Sheet

Cover Letters

• Cover Letters – Step by Step Guide (RS Handout)
• Cover Letters & Personal Storytelling (RS Presentation)
• High School Resume & Cover Letter Guide
• RS College Cover Letter Sample

Preparing for Job and Internship Interviews

• Rainier Scholars Interview Checklist
• Technical Interview Preparation: A Step by Step Guide

Networking and Informational Interviews

• 3 Steps to a Perfect Informational Interview
• An Introvert’s Guide to Networking (& how to maintain “Loose Touch”)
• LifeKit: How to Start Professional Networking (And feel good about it!)
• LifeKit: How to Find a Mentor

LinkedIn Basics and Best Practices

• LinkedIn Checklist

Evaluating & Accepting Job Offers

• 5 Strategies for BIPOC to Negotiate Equitable Pay

Wellness and Work-Life Balance

• Knowing your Workplace Rights
• Establishing Healthy Boundaries at Work
• LifeKit: What to do if you’re struggling with your mental health at work

Thriving (and Surviving!) at Work

• LifeKit: How to Survive in a Mostly White Workplace: Tips for Marginalized Employees
• LifeKit: 5 Steps to Shake the Feeling that You’re an Imposter

Navigating Career Changes: Promotion, Pivot, or Peace Out?

• How to make a career pivot when you feel bored
• LifeKit: 6 Steps for Making a Career Change
• LifeKit: How to Ask for a Raise: Know your Value (and bring the evidence)

Grad School Considerations & Resources

• BLK + IN GRAD SCHOOL (podcast and online community)
• McNair Scholars (PhD Preparatory program for BIPOC/First-Gen students)

Resources for Students & Young Professionals Without US Work Authorization

• Immigrants Rising: Life After College Guide
• Basic Facts about Entrepreneurship (the ITIN, EIN, and SSN)
• Immigrants Rising: Guide to Working for Yourself
• Know your Rights Guide (ACLU)
• Additional Legal & Educational Resources (TheDream.US)