Preparing for Your Professional Journey

Welcome to Heinz College! Your professional development is an important part of your graduate experience, and preparing early will help you take full advantage of the career opportunities available to you.

Employers and alumni begin recruiting for internship and full-time opportunities early in the fall semester. Completing your career preparation before arriving on campus will allow you to begin your Heinz College experience with a stronger understanding of your career goals, professional brand, and available resources.

The Reidy Career Center is here to support you throughout your time at Heinz College. Before your first semester begins, you will complete two important career preparation experiences:

career Academy & Reidy Career Center orientation

Career Academy

Career Academy is a required online career preparation program designed to help you build the foundation for a successful internship and job search at Heinz College.

Through Career Academy, you will:

Learn about the career resources and services available through the Reidy Career Center
Understand how to navigate career tools including Handshake, LinkedIn, and job search platforms
Develop your professional introduction and career goals
Review expectations for resumes, cover letters, and professional communication
Begin preparing your career strategy before arriving on campus

Career Academy is designed for students at all stages of their career journey. Whether you are exploring career options, changing industries, advancing within your current field, or preparing for your first professional role, these resources will help you begin your Heinz College experience prepared and confident.

How It Works

Career Academy consists of six modules focused on key areas of professional development.

You will complete several activities designed to help you apply what you learn. These activities are not graded; they are intended to help you prepare for your career journey at Heinz College.

Before scheduling an appointment with your Career Advisor, you must complete Career Academy and attend Reidy Career Center Orientation.

Career Academy Topics and the Major Deliverables

Module 1: Set up your career ecosystem - Handshake profile + LinkedIn + Resource Hub + Scavenger Hunt

Module 2: Build application materials - Resume uploaded to Handshake + AI Resume Review

Module 3: Create your job search strategy - Job Search Tracker

Module 4: Build your network - Connect with classmates + networking practice

Module 5: Transition to Career Services - Intake Form + Schedule advising appointment

Reidy Career Center Orientation (August 20th)

After completing Career Academy, you will participate in Reidy Career Center Orientation.

Orientation is an interactive experience where you will:

Navigate the Reidy Career Center's services and understand how we support you throughout your program.
Identify key career events, workshops, and recruiting opportunities available during the fall semester.
Schedule a career advising appointment through Handshake.
Understand internship expectations, requirements, and important timelines for your program.
Apply advice and best practices shared by current students and alumni to make the most of your Heinz experience, both academically and professionally.

Career Academy provides the foundation. Orientation helps you apply that knowledge and begin building your career strategy at Heinz College.

Thursday August 20, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: MISM, PPM, DA, DC & ISPM

Thursday August 20, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: BIDA & HCA

Thursday August 20, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: AIM, MAM & MEIM

All orientation sessions will be in Hamburg Hall at 4800 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Need Assistance?

If you have questions about Career Academy or need assistance accessing the materials, please look at this FAQ and if you can't find you answer then please contact us here: heinz-career-academy@andrew.cmu.edu.