Career Services

Frederick Community College Career Services is dedicated to supporting students, alumni, and career changers as they navigate their professional journeys. Whether you are exploring potential majors, developing a job search strategy, or looking to network with top regional employers, our team provides the essential tools and personalized coaching needed for success. From mastering the STAR interview technique to leveraging Handshake—the #1 way for students to find jobs. We offer comprehensive resources designed to help you discover your path and confidently launch your career.

Explore skills, majors, and careers.
Prepare for employment through resume development, creating a job search strategy, and interview coaching.
Network with employers and alumni to find jobs and internships.

Career Services

Career Exploration with Focus 2 Career

Handshake

Local Job & Internship Opportunities

Class Schedules & Academic Catalog

Student Experience

Handshake

Handshake is the leading career network designed specifically for college students and alumni to connect with top employers for full-time jobs, part-time roles, and internships. The platform streamlines the professional journey by offering personalized job recommendations, direct messaging with recruiters, and access to exclusive virtual and on-campus career events.

Handshake

Two students, a woman with long blonde hair and a man with short dark hair, wearing green Frederick Community College t-shirts and backpacks, smiling and walking together on campus.

Career Communities

Career Communities are specialized networks that connect your academic program of study with relevant industry resources, networking opportunities, and regional professional organizations. These communities provide tailored information on internships and career pathways, helping you build the specific connections and skills needed to transition successfully from the classroom to the workforce.

Career Communities

A smiling woman with long brown hair and glasses shakes hands with another professional woman in a navy blazer against a clean, white office background.

Candid Career

Candid Career is a comprehensive video library that offers students and job seekers an inside look at thousands of different career paths through interviews with industry professionals. These videos provide practical advice on everything from daily job responsibilities to effective interviewing and networking strategies, helping you make informed decisions about your future.

Candid Career

Discover Your Path: Self-Assessment Tools for Career & Major Exploration

Choosing a career or major can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. At FCC, you have free access to powerful self-assessment tools designed to help you understand better and make informed decisions about your future. These tools can guide you in identifying careers and majors that align with your interests, values, and strengths.

Focus 2 Career (Free for FCC Students!)
Focus 2 Career is an all-in-one platform where you can explore your:

Work interests
Personality
Values
Skills
Leisure interests

You can take one or all these assessments, then merge the results to see occupations and FCC majors that are a great match for you.

Focus 2 Career

Assess Your Skills and Strengths
Dependable Strengths^®- To explore what motivates you to achieve and how you can utilize more of your potential, contact contact Anne Scholl-Fiedler

123 Test Competency O'Net OnLine

Discovering Your Future Podcast
The Discovering Your Future podcast series features a diverse lineup of individuals who discuss career journeys, employment and industry trends, how they have navigated their career growth and professional development, how networks have increased their possibilities and more.

Discovering Your Future Podcast

Value Assessment Test by MyPlan.Com
The Values Test can help you learn more about your underlying work needs and motivations and can help you decide what is important to you in a job.

My Plan - Values

Work Value Test by 123Test
Discover what truly drives and fulfills you in your career with this free online work values assessment, which identifies 14 key career values such as autonomy, creativity, and work-life balance. The test provides a reflective report to help guide your career decisions and can be combined with other tools like personality or competency assessments for deeper self-awareness.

Work Values Test Explore FCC Programs

Explore Careers

Major to Career

Career OneStop O'Net Online BLS

Additional Resources:
Visit our Library Resources Guide for additional career planning tools

Meet with a Academic Advisor
After self-assessment, schedule an appointment with Career Services to discuss your results and form an action plan.

Schedule Appointment

Jobs & Internships: Your Launchpad to Success

Get career-ready with tools and tips for crafting standout resumes, mastering the job search, and acing interviews.

Build a Winning Resume

Tips to Stand Out:

Lead with a Professional Summary
Replace the old “Objective” with a 5–7 sentence summary that showcases your strengths, interests, and unique value.
Tailor It for Every Job
Customize your resume to match the position you're applying for—show you’ve done your homework.
Keep It Current
Regularly update your resume so you're always ready when opportunities arise.

Helpful Tools:

FCC Resume Builder
A step-by-step guide designed to help you create, format, and polish a professional resume tailored to your career goals. Use it to reflect on your strengths, choose the right format, and ensure your resume stands out to employers.
FCC Library – Resume & Cover Letter Resources
LiveCareer – Free resume builder, templates, and examples
Federal Resumes– Tips on how to create a federal resume from USA Jobs
My Career Advisor

Find the Right Fit: Job & Internship Search Tips

Network, Network, Network
Most jobs are found through people—reach out, attend events, and make connections.
Know Your Target
Be intentional. Know the roles or industries you want and focus your applications.
Use Multiple Search Tools
Cast a wide net: career fairs, professional associations, job boards, and your campus career center.

Top Job Search Resources:

Handshake - FCC's Career Portal.
CollegeGrad – Job search site for new graduates
Glassdoor – company reviews and job search tool
Indeed – popular job search tool
LinkedIn – World’s largest professional network
Maryland Workforce Exchange – Maryland’s one-stop job bank
ZipRecruiter.com – On ZipRecruiter, top companies reach out to you

Nail the Interview

Before the Big Day:

Research the Employer
Know the company’s mission, values, and recent news. Visit their website and LinkedIn page.
Know Your Story
Identify your top strengths and prepare examples that show your impact.
Practice the STAR Technique
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer behavioral questions with confidence.

Interview Prep Resources:

FCC Library – Interview Resources
CollegeGrad – Tips on different types of interview situations

Your job or internship search is more than just submitting applications it’s about knowing your strengths, telling your story, and staying proactive.

Networking & Recruiting: Make the Right Connections

Networking isn’t just a bonus it’s essential. Around 80% of jobs are found through personal and professional connections. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing to enter your field, building relationships and gaining experience are keys to success.

Why Networking Matters

Build Relationships Early
Start with your classmates, professors, and community connections. Everyone you meet could be a link to your next opportunity.
Experience Is Everything
Internships, part-time jobs, and volunteering show off your skills—and help you meet people who can open doors.
Stay Involved & Curious
Attend career events, join campus clubs, and be active online. A strong network grows over time.

Networking Tools & Resources

Start Here:

Handshake – The #1 way college students find jobs and internships
The Muse – Networking Tips – Easy, actionable advice to build your connections
Career Services Calendar
Stay updated on events, workshops, and employer visits

Make the Most of Employer Events

Recruiters regularly visit campus to meet FCC students—and they’re looking for people like you. Prepare to introduce yourself, ask smart questions, and follow up after events.
Pro Tip: Every event is a networking opportunity. Be confident, be curious, and be ready.

Networking is more than just exchanging business cards—it’s about building genuine relationships and staying engaged. The sooner you start, the stronger your foundation.

Experiential learning is the process of learning through experience, more specifically defined as “hands-on” learning and reflection. Examples of experiential learning include internships, service-learning, volunteerism, clinical experiences, field work, fellowships, practicums, simulations, apprenticeships, and research. Experiential learning helps students put classroom theory into context while building practical skills outside of the classroom. Employers expect students to have a number of experiential learning experiences upon graduation in order to be competitive job candidates.

Contact the FCC Apprenticeship Coordinator for current opportunities.
- Carla Milan
  Internship & Apprenticeship Coordinator
  [email protected]
  301.624.2724
Browse and apply for internships on Indeed.com, LinkedIn.com, or other job search websites.
Explore volunteer opportunities through Service Learning.
Approved employers may post jobs and search applicant résumés on Handshake.

Post your current positions and view applications on the Handshake, the FCC Recruiting Platform.

Join Handshake

Meet directly with students in the Recruiter’s Corner, located in the Student Center. Your visit will be advertised through college emails, fliers, social media, and the campus events Calendar.

To reserve a recruiting date for your company, contact Dawn Garner, Coordinator of Employer Relations & Career Events, 240.629.7845.

Connect with students and alumni through career fairs or networking events during an internship or job fair. Register to attend through Handshake, FCC’s Recruiting Platform. To be placed on the Career Fair invitation list, please contact Dawn Garner, Coordinator of Employer Relations & Career Events, 240.629.7845.

Join Handshake

Employers are encouraged to share their expertise and help students prepare for their job search.

Informational Interview Resource. Serve as a resource for students to understand what your career is like and provide helpful advice for getting started. (Use the same format you have for Classroom Presentations, Mock Interviews, and On Site Visits).

Classroom Presentations and Industry Panels
Present specific content related to programs of study, job searching, and tips for success in your industry.

Mock Interviews and Resume Critiques
Help students prepare for and refine their job searching techniques by giving them an idea of what employers expect from college graduates and helping them learn to articulate what they have to offer, both in writing and verbally.

On Site Visits
Provide students with an introduction to your organizational culture and career pathways through one-day shadowing events or information sessions.

For more information and assistance with your recruitment strategy needs, please contact Anne Scholl-Fiedler, Director, Career Services and Advising Career Programs, 301.624.2795.

To book recruitment tables or to be added to career fairs Dawn Garner, Coordinator of Employer Relations & Career Events, 240.629.7845

Career Advisors and local employers are available to facilitate presentations and workshops in your classroom upon request.