UW-Madison students can access the WISCareers program online through the MyUW Portal this year.
According to the WISCareers website, the program is 32 years old but has never been accessible through UW-Madison webpages. The mission statement of the program is to facilitate lifelong career development, a meaningful work life and a sound economic future for all Wisconsin residents.""
UW-Madison Center on Education and Work Associate Director Scott Solberg said many students have used the service in high school but did not realize they could use it through the university.
""We're a subscription service, and whoever is in the university can be using it,"" he said. ""It just so happens that the right people were excited about it and decided it needed to be a more visible place within the university.""
According to Solberg, the website is set up to identify the different majors and learning experiences needed to successfully enter a given career.
""It provides support to write résumés and cover letters,"" he said. ""It navigates the world of business.""
WISCareers Special Projects Manager Ann Fillback-Watt said the website helps undecided students complete assessments based on interests and skills to help focus their direction.
""We look to incoming freshmen who do not know what they want to do specifically,"" she said. ""The site can help you figure out a specific job under a major such as sociology.""
According to Watt, students can gain access to the website before entering the university. High school students can create ""e-portfolios"" to compile projects and papers to send to an employer or school.
Solberg said he wants people to use the website as early as middle school so they can access it for rest of their lives.
""When you're no longer a student at UW-Madison you can get access through an individual, inexpensive subscription,"" Solberg said.
Students can visit www.wiscareers.wisc.edu for more information on how to set up personal e-portfolios.
