Center for Career and Professional Development for Students
Contact Us
(718) 482-5235
career@lagcc.cuny.edu
Office Hours:
Monday- Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
In Person: B-Building, Room B-114
Online: CCPD Virtual Office
For program-specific questions please email:
SOAR Experimental Learning Program
Elmezzi Career Fellow Program
Spring Forward
CUNY Career Launch
Whether you’re just beginning your studies or getting ready to enter the workforce after graduation, the Center for Career and Professional Development is here to help you find the right career for you. Our team can provide extensive help with career mentoring, resume prep, the job/ internship search, and more. Visit us in B-114 or use our online resources to access our comprehensive services.
Services for Students
Whether you’re undecided about your career or want to enhance your job skills, let us help you prepare for success. Visit the Center for Career & Professional Development in room B-114 to explore your professional path and make yourself more attractive to employers.
We provide current students with the following comprehensive services to increase your chances for success in your career:
- Resume reviews to highlight your skills and accomplishments
- Mock interviewing to help you answer common interview questions with confidence and poise
- Career advising from expert advisors to help you identify fields that match your skills and interests
- Mentoring and networking opportunities to provide ongoing support and connections to various career paths
- Workshops to help refine your job skills and develop professionally
- Job search assistance to explore avenues for employment
- Employer Info Sessions to learn about available opportunities
- Special Programs to tap into employment resources
- Informative online tools for career guidance and skills development
- Career Readiness Digital Badging Program
Career Tools
Explore Your Career Tools
You have 24/7 access to powerful, student-friendly tools that make exploring careers, finding internships, and building your future easier. Start with any resource below—each one is free for enrolled students.
Quick tip: Not sure where to start?
- Use FOCUS 2 Career to identify your interests and strengths
- Use Career Coach to explore majors and local jobs
- Apply for roles on Handshake
- Research employers and industries in Vault
What it is:
A quick set of self-assessments (interests, values, personality, skills) that recommends careers and majors that fit you. It’s private, self-paced, and you can revisit results anytime.
Best for:
- “I’m not sure what I want to do”
- Choosing or confirming a major
- Identifying careers that align with your strengths
How to access:
- Campus link: https://www.focus2career.com/Portal/Login.cfm?SID=1958
- First-time users: Click Register and use our access code (contact our office for code)
- Returning users: Log in with the username/password you created
Get started in 10–20 minutes:
- Complete the Work Interest and Values assessments.
- Explore your matching careers and majors.
- Save favorites and bring your results to a coaching appointment.
Pro tips:
- Short on time? Start with just Work Interest—you can add more later.
- Download your Portfolio to share with an advisor or career coach.
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Advisor on EAB Navigate to review your Work Interest and Value assessments results.
What it is:
A simple career exploration tool that connects your interests and programs to real job titles, salary data, and local employer demand. Great for reality checking career ideas and seeing who’s hiring in our region.
Best for:
- Browsing careers tied to your major
- Seeing typical salaries & job outlook
- Finding local job postings that match your goals
How to access:
- Log in or Create Account using your school email
Get started in 2 minutes:
- Open the campus Career Coach link.
- Search for a career (“physical therapist”) or a major (“psychology”).
- Save careers you like and view nearby job postings.
Pro tips:
- Compare careers side by side to see which aligns best with your goals.
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Advisor on EAB Navigate to review your assessment and research results.
What it is:
Handshake is the career platform for college students and recent graduates. It connects you with employers who are looking to hire students for internships, part-time jobs, and full-time career opportunities, tailored just for LaGuardia Community College students.
Step-by-Step Access Instructions
- Check Your LaGuardia Student Email
Launch announcements say Handshake is now available—watch for an invitation or launch message sent to your official LaGuardia email address. - Sign In with CUNY SSO
When you’re ready to log in:- Visit the LaGuardia Handshake portal.
- Click “Continue with email” and enter your official LaGuardia CUNY email.
- You’ll be directed through the CUNY Single Sign-On authentication for access (joinhandshake.com).
- Complete Your Profile
- Upload your resume.
- Add education, skills, and experiences.
- The more detailed your profile, the better Handshake matches you with opportunities.
- Explore and Apply!
- Browse curated listings for jobs and internships that suit college students.
- Attend virtual or in-person career fairs and employer sessions through the platform.
- Set up job alerts to stay on top of new postings tailored to your interests.
- Get Support from Career Services
- Visit the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) on campus in Building B, Room B-114—or email us at career@lagcc.cuny.edu for help.
- CCPD can assist with navigating Handshake, refining your profile, or preparing for applications.
What it is:
A premium collection of industry guides, company rankings and reviews, interview tips, and internship or externship insights. Think of it as insider intel to help you prepare and stand out. CCPD provides students with access to Vault, a comprehensive career resource. Vault enables students to research employers and industries, gain career advice, and apply to jobs and internships. Whether you are just exploring possible career paths or are ready for an interview, Vault can help.
Best for:
- Researching industries (consulting, finance, tech, law, healthcare, and more)
- Learning how interviews work and what employers look for
- Finding day in the life info and career path guides
- Explore industries and watch Q&A videos by professionals in different fields
- Research top companies, and access verified employee and intern reviews
- View company and internship rankings according to overall caliber, quality of life, diversity, and other factors
- Access exclusive internship and job postings
- Gain career advice to get ahead
How to access:
- Log in with your LaGuardia email credentials at laguardia.vault.com
Get started in 5 minutes:
- Search an industry (“data analytics”) or role (“UX designer”).
- Open the relevant Industry Guide or Interview Guide.
- Save or download chapters for later.
Pro tips:
- Check rankings and firm profiles to prepare for employer info sessions.
- Use interview question banks to practice confidently.
What it is:
Interstride is a career portal built for globally minded students. It helps both international and domestic students explore career options, develop networks, and access resources for a successful career in the U.S. and worldwide.
Best for:
- International students
- Students seeking jobs & internships with international-friendly employers
- Anyone interested in global career opportunities, immigration resources, or mentorship
How to access:
- Eligible students will receive an invitation from the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD)
- Download the Interstride mobile app or log in via the web portal at https://interstride.com/laguardia/
- Complete your profile to get personalized job recommendations and visa resources
Pro tips:
- Explore job & internship listings, including employers who sponsor H-1B visas
- Use CPT opportunities—even unpaid ones—to build your resume
- Access visa & immigration guides (CPT, OPT, STEM OPT)
- Attend monthly workshops, webinars, and mentorship sessions
- Explore company pages for visa insights, alumni connections, and reviews
- Turn on push notifications in the app to stay updated on deadlines and opportunities
- Set reminders to contact your ISSS office 60–90 days before graduation for OPT applications
- Use Interstride’s resume tips, interview prep tools, and country-specific career guides to stay competitive
Which tool should I use?
- Still exploring? Start with FOCUS 2 → then Career Coach to see local demand.
- Ready to apply? Go straight to Handshake for jobs & events.
- Need deep prep? Use Vault Intelligence for guides, rankings, and interviews.
Need help?
- Drop-in hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- In-Person: B-114
- CCPD Virtual Office
- Book an appointment: EAB Navigate
- Email us: career@lagcc.cuny.edu
- Accessibility: If you use assistive tech or need accommodations, contact us and we’ll make sure you can access every tool.
Experiential Learning Programs
The SOAR Experiential Learning Program is a LaGuardia Community College pipeline program designed for students to Succeed, Observe, Achieve and Rise. Participants gain experience through various activities in community-based organizations, government agencies, and small and large businesses in their field of study. Experiential learning is an engaged learning process in which students learn by doing and reflect on their experience.
Types of Experiential Learning offered at LaGuardia:
- Service learning (community service, civic engagement, helping activity)
- Career panels
- Company site visits
- Guest lecturer/Industry workshops
- Hackathons
- Internships
- Job shadowing opportunities
- Professional development events
- Volunteer
Students accepted and hired through the SOAR Experiential Learning Program, funded through the LaGuardia Community College Foundation, commit to a 12-week paid internship experience supervised by the CCPD. Through this program, students from all majors can increase their professional experience and strengthen and expand the skills they are developing in their college studies.
SOAR Internship Programs:
- SOAR Internships
- Boyce Technologies Internship Program
- New New Yorkers Fellowship Program
- Folk Art Museum Internship Program
- LaGuardia Humanitarian Initiative Internships
- Elmezzi Career Fellows Program
- ….and more!
Get SOAR Ready!
- Log in to EAB Navigate
- Schedule an appointment with a career advisor for a resume review to get your resume approved.
- Create a cover letter
- Attend workshops, events, and info sessions
- Participate in a mock interview
Eligibility Criteria
- Currently enrolled in a degree program at LaGuardia Community College (any major)
- Registered for a minimum of 6 academic credits during the current semester
- 2.5 GPA or higher
- Minimum of 15 cumulative credits
- Authorized to work in the US
- Contingent upon employment authorization, international students are eligible to apply
Program Timeline and Compensation
- Fall Session I (October-December)
- Spring Session I (March-June)
- 12 weeks, 120 hours in total
- Stipend: $2,000
How To Apply
- Complete the SOAR Experiential Learning Program application by Monday, December 15 for Spring 2026 consideration.
- Schedule an appointment for a Resume Review with a CCPD Professional on EAB Navigate or request on the CCPD Virtual Office
The Elmezzi Career Fellows Program aims to prepare students for internship experiences through workshops, online training, and mentorship. Students are placed through a matching system that pairs employer needs with capable students with aligned interests.
Eligibility Criteria
- Currently enrolled in a degree program at LaGuardia Community College (any major)
- Registered for a minimum of 6 academic credits during the current semester
- 2.5 GPA or higher
- Authorized to work in the US
- Contingent upon employment authorization, international students are eligible to apply
- Reside in Queens County
Program Details
- Fall Session I and II (October-February) and Spring Session I and II (March-July)
- 10 hours a week for 12 weeks (Session I), 15 hours a week for 7 weeks (Spring Session II, only)
- $16.50 an hour
- Single-ride MetroCard available
How to apply
- Complete the SOAR Experiential Learning Program application by Monday, December 15 for Spring 2026 consideration.
Service Learning is a hands-on way to make a difference in your community while earning experience. It combines classroom learning with real world experience, so you can apply what you learn, build professional skills, and create a positive impact.
Why try Service Learning?
- Gain resume-worthy experience
- Develop leadership and teamwork skills
- Connect with local organizations and causes you care about
How it works:
You’ll partner with a community organization as part of a course. Your projects are tied to class objectives, so you’re learning and serving at the same time.
Interested?
Check out current opportunities in Handshake, talk to your professor or the Career Services team to get started!
Contact SOAR at soar@lagcc.cuny.edu or visit B-114
CUNY Career Launch
CUNY Career Launch is a 7-week summer program that enables students to launch their future careers by interning in a job related to their major. Students work between early July and mid-August for 19 hours/week and earn $20 per hour.
Applications open up during the Spring semester; visit CUNY Career Launch to learn more.
Eligibility Criteria
- Your career goal is to work in:
- Science, computer science, math, technology, or engineering
- Healthcare, community health or public health
- Community impact, non-profits, or social services
- Environmental preservation, clean energy and efficiency, climate mitigation
- Marketing, communications, or public relations
- Must have a 2.0 GPA or higher (Not applicable to first semester students)
- Currently enrolled student and/or plan to enroll in Fall semester
- This internship program is for degree seeking undergraduate students
- Must have no previous paid internship while attending CUNY
- Available to work for 19 hours/week every week from early July to late August
- Between 18 and 24 years old when you apply
- Eligible to work in the U.S. (International students can apply!
CUNY Spring Forward
CUNY Spring Forward is a 9-week spring program that allows students to explore their future careers by interning in a job related to their major. Students work between early March and early May for 15 hours/week, and earn $20 per hour.
Applications open up during the Fall semester; visit CUNY Spring Forward to learn more.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Your career goal is to work in:
- Science, computer science, math, technology, or engineering
- Healthcare, community health or public health
- Community impact, non-profits, or social services
- Environmental preservation, clean energy and efficiency, climate mitigation
- Marketing, communications, or public relations
- Must have a 2.0 GPA or higher (Not applicable to first semester students)
- Currently enrolled student and plan to enroll in the Spring semester
- This internship program is for degree seeking undergraduate students
- Must have no previous paid internship while attending CUNY
- Available to work for 15 hours/week every week from early March to early May
- 18 years of age or older when you apply
- Eligible to work in the U.S. (International students can apply!)
Interested in more CUNY Internships, visit CUNY Internship Programs & CUNY Cultural Corps respective websites.
ACCES Pre-ETS helps students with disabilities (ages 22 and under) prepare for the workplace through career exploration, skill-building, and real-world experiences. Our team supports students in making a smooth school-to-work transition by offering:
- Job Exploration Counseling – discovering potential career pathways.
- Work-Based Learning Experiences – build skills through micro-internships, job shadowing, and service-learning opportunities.
- Counseling on Postsecondary Opportunities – connect your academic program to future career goals.
- Workplace Readiness Training – develop social skills, independence, and confidence for the workplace.
- Instruction in Self-Advocacy – learn how to set goals and advocate for yourself in your career journey.
New Opportunity: Starting October 8th, we are offering an 8-week Career Readiness Program designed to help students gain the confidence and skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
For more information, visit the Office of ACCES Pre-ETS (M-Building, Room 141) or contact us at acces-preets@lagcc.cuny.edu | (718) 482-5180.
Visit website: https://www.laguardia.edu/students/pre-ets/