Drop-in advising

Purpose of 10-minute drop-in advising:

• We look forward to meeting you and assisting you!
• Drop-in has a limit of 10 minutes.
• Drop-in is for questions with quick answers, and brief reviews of resumes or cover letters.
• Before a resume review, use our Career Planning Guide and/ or resume guide and reference list instructions.
• Before a cover letter review, use our Career Planning Guide and/or cover letter guidelines
• If you need an overview on resume basics, use our resume guide or the Career Planning Guide first.
• Drop-in is to help you fine-tune and individualize your resume so you can make revisions to best serve your purposes.
• We are happy to schedule you for an advising appointment for exploration of careers and majors, and other topics that require more time.
• For drop-in, you'll be seen by the Peer Career Advisor or professional staff member available. If you wish to see a specific advisor, schedule an advising appointment

Traffic alert   |   career fairs   |   class assignments:

• Drop-in advising is first-come, first-served, and is not an appointment.
• Career fairs generate a high volume of students seeking drop-in advising, so if you are preparing for a career fair, plan ahead by a week or two.
• There is no guarantee we can see every student if drop-in numbers exceed our capacity.
• Do the preparation explained above in purpose of drop-in.
• If you have a class (or other) assignment to use drop-in advising, don't wait until your deadline. If too many students are waiting ahead of you, you take the risk that you might not receive advising on that day.

What to bring:

• Bring a hard copy for reviews of documents including resumes, cover letters, and personal statements.
• If you don't have access to a printer, just ask at the reception desk when you check in about how to print at Smith Career Center.

Dates and times for 10-minute drop-in advising at Smith Career Center:

Additional satellite locations and hours below.

USUALLY noon-3:00 pm, Mon-Fri. NOT ALWAYS!

Extended / different drop-in hours, for RESUME KICKOFF, first four weeks fall 2018:

Alternative to drop-in advising:

• If drop-in hours do not work with your schedule... 
• If you prefer a scheduled time... 
• If you want more than 10 minutes with an advisor... 
  You are welcome to schedule an advising appointment

Can I call in for advising?

• Yes, for quick questions. Our reception staff will determine whether an advisor is available, or they can help you schedule an appointment.
• Resume reviews by phone, for students who are not in/near Blacksburg, must be done by scheduled appointment.

Satellite locations & hours for 10-minute drop-in advising:

If satellite hours do not work for your schedule, please use drop-in advising at Smith Career Center.

For graduate students:
Graduate Life Center, lobby
Wednesdays | 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Fall semester 2018 dates: Sep. 19 - Dec. 5, 2018  [not held Nov. 21, when university closes at noon]
Spring semester 2019 dates: tentative: Jan. 23 - May 1, 2019  [not held during spring break]

For College of Engineering students:
TBA for 2018-2019
2017-2018: Torgersen Hall 1st floor atrium
Wednesdays | 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Fall semester 2017 dates: Sep. 13 - Nov. 29, 2017 [not held Nov. 22 when university closes at noon]
Spring semester 2018 dates: Feb. 5 - Apr. 25, 2018 [not held during spring break]