Career Center Programs
The University of Iowa Marvin A. and Rose Lee Pomerantz Career Center administers the University's Career Center Programs. Students may use the Pomerantz Career Center's services at any time during their academic careers. The center encourages entering first-year and transfer students to visit after they arrive on campus and to make use of all of the center's services throughout their study at Iowa.
The center offers tailored professional career advising to students who are deciding on majors that connect with career interests, resume and cover letter help, job and internship strategies, ways to gain hands-on experience, interview strategies, preparing for graduate school, and other career-related topics. Students also can drop in daily for assistance from career peer advisors. Workshops and programs are presented to students across campus on career and professional development-related topics each semester.
Academic courses in career-related topics, such as career exploration and job search skills, are available each semester for academic credit ranging from 1-3 s.h. per course. See "Professional Development Courses" below for more information. Other courses are offered through the Leadership Studies Program.
The center hosts several career fairs and events each fall and spring, offering students the opportunity to talk with and learn about prospective employers.
The Pomerantz Career Center facilitates job and internship interviewing with a wide range of employers: regional, national, and international; profit and nonprofit; state and federal government. Employers conduct on-campus interviews at specific times during the year, and many post immediate openings year-round for internships and for full-time positions. On-campus recruiting and job, internship, and student employment postings are available online; visit Handshake on the Pomerantz Career Center website.
The center helps students find internships in Iowa, the Midwest, nationwide, and sometimes in other countries. For discipline-related internships (all require course registration), see Courses in this section of the Catalog.
Leadership Studies
Leadership studies is a multidisciplinary academic field that draws upon theories and applications from a wide variety of related disciplines, such as the social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, political science, and anthropology) and the humanities (e.g., philosophy and history), as well as professional fields, including management and education. The Leadership Studies Program examines ethical issues, principles, theories, and styles of leadership; the dynamics of interactions between leaders, followers, and group members; leaders' impact on organizations and communities; and leadership skills such as goal setting, communicating effectively, creating a vision, and empowering others.
The Leadership Studies Program offers the undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies as well as the Career Leadership Academy, a two-course sequence designed to help undergraduate students develop leadership and employment skills. The program also offers professional development courses.
Certificate in Leadership Studies
The Certificate in Leadership Studies is an interdisciplinary program coordinated by the Pomerantz Career Center and supported by the Tippie College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Office of Leadership, Service, and Civic Engagement.
"As an African American, I learned so much about cultural differences, and I really enjoyed that. We talked about privilege and power and how those different dynamics play a role in so many sectors of our government and our world. The professor did a great job of explaining the content in a way that didn’t make the students feel like we were ignorant to the situation, and she encouraged everyone to engage in difficult conversations that helped us grow in so many ways."
Career Leadership Academy
Career Leadership Academy is a two-semester sequence of courses designed to help undergraduate students develop vital skills for leadership and career development: communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to work well with others. This highly interactive program consists of weekly seminars, activities, and events. Participants also engage in career exploration opportunities, professional networking, and leadership development experiences.
Professional Development Courses
Professional development courses give students the opportunity to engage in practical, hands-on, skills-based instruction relevant to careers and leadership development. The topics and curricula for the following courses incorporate input from employers, who were surveyed about their experiences, real-world examples, guidance, and the skills they most often seek when hiring new graduates.
Internship Courses
Internships are a great way for you to learn more about working in your field before you graduate. They can provide you with professional experience and help you determine whether or not a given field or position is right for you. If you have an internship over the summer or during the school year, you should register it for an internship course! These courses can allow you to receive a transcript notation or academic credit for your internship. These courses also have built in reflection components that can help you get more out of your internship experience. There are a couple of different options, so look at the course list below to help you determine what is right for you.
| Code | Course Title | Hours Required |
|---|---|---|
| Varies | 0 Credit Hour Internship & Transcript Notation | 10+ hours per week for 8 (Summer) or 10 (Spring/Fall) weeks |
| CCP:1201 | Academic Internship (1-3 Credit Hours) | 6 weeks minimum |
| LS:3011 | Leadership Certificate Capstone | 6 weeks minimum |
| Varies | F-1 & J-1 Zero Credit Hour Internship for CPT Requirement | 10+ hours per week for 8 (Summer) or10 weeks (Spring/Fall) |
| CCP:1201 | F-1 & J-1 Academic Internship (1-3 Credit Hours) - for CPT | 6 weeks minimum |