ALUMNI CAREER MANAGEMENT
The Villanova University Alumni Association and the Villanova University Career Center have partnered to offer sophisticated, flexible career management for alumni of all ages and at all stages of their careers.
Services and resources include support for resume writing and interviewing, job opportunities targeted to alumni, individual career coaching, virtual events on a variety of topics, cohort-based programs, and the Nova Network—our Villanova-exclusive professional network.
CAREER RESOURCES
Whether you’re considering a career change, making your case for a promotion, or hoping to expand your network, Villanova's career resources can help you prepare for whatever comes next.
Please Note: Several resources we offer require a Villanova Alum Account for login. Those who do not currently have one can learn more and request a Villanova Alum Account here.
FOCUS* Self-Assessment
FOCUS enables you to self-assess your career-relevant personal qualities and explore career fields and major areas of study that are most compatible with your assessment results. On average, the assessment takes 20-30 minutes to complete. Watch our FOCUS Platform Walkthrough video.
Counselor-Guided Assessments
The Career Center offers counselor-guided assessments including the Strong Interest Inventory® or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®). Log in to your Handshake account to schedule your initial appointment.
*This tool requires a Villanova Alum Account for login.
Short on time? View our one-page checklists.
- Resume checklist
- Cover Letter checklist
- Curriculum Vitae checklist
- LinkedIn checklist
- Networking checklist
- Interviewing checklist
Want more details? Check out our webinars and sample documents.
- Alumni Resume example
- Alumni Cover Letter example
- Resume and Cover Letter webinar
- LinkedIn recorded webinar
- Interviewing recorded webinar
- Offer Negotiation webinar
For hands-on support, take advantage of Big Interview*.
This online system combines training and practice to help improve interview techniques and build confidence. Watch our Big Interview Platform Walkthrough for more details.
*This tool requires a Villanova Alum Account.
Handshake
Explore Handshake, Villanova University’s Career Management Platform that intuitively connects you to relevant opportunities and allows you to apply for positions, explore companies and connections, sign up for career fairs and workshops, and schedule coaching appointments all in one place. For help accessing Handshake, watch our Handshake Alumni Login Instructions video.
HireNova Updates
Sign up for HireNova Updates, a weekly job digest email with opportunities in your area and beyond from fellow Villanovans. Watch our 30-second How to Opt into HireNova Updates video.
CareerShift*
Access all job listings, company and people profiles on the web in one place via CareerShift. You can also create unlimited resumes and cover letters easily and save your correspondence history records automatically within the platform. Watch our CareerShift Walkthrough video.
Career Fairs
Attend Villanova’s Fall and Spring Career Fairs to connect with organizations offering opportunities for alumni seeking full-time jobs. Learn about upcoming multi-university Alumni-Only Career Fairs near you, through Villanova’s partnership with HireTalent.
*This tool requires a Villanova Alum Account for login.
CAREER COACHING
Access a masters-level career counselor to provide personalized, one-on-one support for your professional needs. Alumni who graduated more than one year ago are eligible for up to three coaching sessions per academic year (June 1- May 31).
Appointments are available virtually or on campus. Alumni sessions will be held by Casey Hilferty, Associate Director, Career Management, and Meredith Okenquist '96, Director, Career Management.
Meredith Okenquist '96, Director of Career MANAGEMENT
About Meredith:
Meredith’s professional career spans more than 25 years within experience in corporate human resources, career coaching and professional development in higher education. Prior to coming to Villanova, she worked at Temple University Fox School of Business, Careers on the Move, SAP America and NovaCare, Inc.
Meredith holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from Villanova University and MBA from Temple University Fox School of Business, with a concentration in Human Resource Administration.
Casey Hilferty, Associate Director of Career Management
About Casey:
Casey brings nearly 10 years of experience in higher education, including career and professional development. Prior to her role at Villanova, she served as Associate Director of Career Development at Gwynedd Mercy University. In this position, Casey worked with undergraduate, graduate and alumni populations in all phases of their careers, and gained significant experience in programming, event planning and industry advising.
She began her career at Lehigh University’s College of Business and Economics working with students on their professional development skills. Casey is currently a Higher Education & Student Affairs doctoral candidate at St. Cloud State University. She holds an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University and a B.A. in History from Moravian University.
CAREER PROGRAMS
Our high-caliber career programs are designed for alumni and offer Villanovans a chance to connect in fellowship and education to uplift one another’s vocational success—long after graduation!
Villanova has partnered with the career design experts at Mission Collaborative to bring you the Alumni Career Design Fellowship: a flexible, 30-day online program starting in April that will give you the clarity, plan, and confidence to create a fulling career that fits you. Enroll early to save $50 and secure your spot, as space is limited each program period.
The Villanova University Career Management team is pleased to present an extension of our internal career and professional development coaching program through the opportunity to engage with external career coaches who can provide additional support—and are also Villanova alumni! These certified career coaches offer a wide range of coaching expertise and support to multiple career levels. Receive more information on the Career Coach Program and listings of Career Coaches.
Deepen your knowledge of your industry and/or explore a new industry while networking with Villanovans in those fields. The annual application process occurs each August.
Industry Career Circles (ICC) are:
- Comprised of several “Circles,” each dedicated to serving a specific industry such as financial services, advertising, pharmaceuticals and more.
- Facilitated by expert Villanova volunteers and limited to approximately ten participants per Circle to establish trust and lasting professional relationships.
- A one-year commitment, with Circles meeting quarterly to share content, hear from guest speakers and engage in structured group dialogue on industry insights and experiences.
- Offered at no cost to you and overseen by Alumni Career Management in partnership with the Office of Alumni Relations and VSB Graduate Business.
NOVA NETWORK
The Nova Network is Villanova's official online professional network. Find Villanovans in your industry and local area, access on-demand resources for your professional development, take advantage of dozens of discussion groups, empower fellow Villanovans by sharing your advice, and more!
OVERVIEW OF VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY'S NOVA NETWORK FOR ALUMNI
HIRE FELLOW VILLANOVANS
Whether your company is looking for interns, new graduates or experienced professionals, Villanova can help you find and hire talented candidates. Use #HireNova to promote your on-campus recruiting events, job postings and key deadlines on social media.
Hire for Internships and Entry-Level Talent
Interested in recruiting student interns or new graduates seeking entry-level roles? Explore how to participate in a career fair, build your company's brand through the Employer Sponsor Program and more.
Share Experienced Roles for Fellow Alumni
Promote your experienced-level job opportunities to fellow alumni through HireNova Updates, targeting regional and industry groups on the Nova Network. You don't need to be part of the hiring committee to share roles for your company!