Career Preparation

Prepare for the workforce

What do you want to do with your degree? Career Services at Jamestown Community College can help you prepare for life after college. Schedule an appointment to receive personalized help with exploring your interests, writing your resume and cover letter, interview practice, and searching for a job.

College Central Network

Explore your interests & experiences

Spend some time reflecting on who you are and what is important to you. Career assessment tools can help you learn more about what motivates you and how you want to apply your skills.

Internships and job shadow placements let you try a job and see if your current career choice is the right fit for you. Our semester-long internships are available with companies and organizations in our community, across the state, and around the world. In a job shadow placement, you’ll be paired with a host for a day of first-hand observation and intensive one-on-one career exploration.

Write your resume & cover letter

Your resume shares your skills, education, and related experience with employers to get a job interview. Your cover letter grabs the employer’s attention so they will read your resume.​

Ace an interview

Your interview will be critical to getting a job offer. Show the employer that you’re a great fit for the position, and how you will add value to their company better than another candidate.

Search for a job

You can search for jobs through posted vacancies, networking, professional associations, and reaching out to employers directly.

JCC uses College Central Network to share regional job postings. CCN also offers podcasts on career advice and professional development. Current JCC students automatically have an account, and alumni and community are encouraged to make accounts. Go to College Central Network to log in or set up an account.

College Central Network logo, link goes to SUNY JCC College Central website    College Central Podcasts logo, link goes to College Central Podcasts site

Many employers are still hiring, but using alternative methods and/or timelines for interviews and connecting with candidates. Career Services can help you connect with employers during the COVID-19 situation.

If you have been impacted from a layoff due to mandatory or precautionary government orders during the COVID-19 health crisis, resources are available to assist you. The New York State Department of Labor has implemented a filing system and extended hours to address the influx of unemployment claims and to make the process for efficient for claimants. 

  • Follow a step-by-step process to file a claim online.​
  • File a claim according to your last name (alphabetically):
    • A-F: Monday
    • G-N: Tuesday
    • O-Z: Wednesday
    • Missed your day: Thursday and Friday
    • Filing later in the week will not delay payments or affect the date of an individual’s claim, since all claims are effective on the Monday of the week in which they are filed.
  • Extended filing hours:
    • Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. 
    • Friday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
    • Saturday: 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • More information about unemployment insurance can be found at labor.ny.gov.

New York State has launched a microsite dedicated to posting job openings that are in critical, immediate need right now in essential industries. Visit https://nyhirenow.usnlx.com/jobs/ to find and apply for jobs that are in immediate need. Use the “FILTER BY CITY” function on the right side of the page to find jobs in Jamestown, Olean, Dunkirk, or other areas in NY.

  • A wide variety of employment types are available in the following essential industries: healthcare, manufacturing, food retail, distribution, transportation, janitorial, and construction.
  • Please keep in mind that other industries may also be hiring – the website referenced above is only those job openings that are within currently essential industries. For help with or questions about your job search, please contact Career Services.