COVID-19 Student FAQs

Is your office open?

At this time our office is conducting most of our operations virtually. We would be happy to assist you with any needs you may have. Please take a look at the information on this page regarding virtual services. You may also e-mail us at careercenter@famu.edu and someone will be in touch with you very soon.

I have an upcoming appointment scheduled with your office, what should I do?

We will contact you with information regarding conducting the appointment virtually or as a phone meeting.  We will contact you via your FAMU e-mail address and or through messages in your HireARattler powered by Handshake account.

I would like to set up an appointment with your office, what do I do?

At this time all appointments will be conducted virtually. You can request a virtual appointment through your Handshake account (accessed through HireARattler powered by Handshake ).

I am completing an internship this semester, what should I do?

If the internship is NOT for academic credit, the student and internship host should decide on an appropriate course of action. There are two possible courses of action – arrange for a virtual internship or remote project-based work or conclude the internship. For best practices in a virtual internship or remote project-based work during internship experiences, please view the “what are my requirements to host an intern?” section in our Employer Internship Guide.

If a student is partaking in a paid internship and not receiving academic credit, that student is independently employed by the employer and should discuss any employment matters related to COVID-19 with their employer. The University is not a party to, and has no control over, a private employment relationship.

If the internship is FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT, including zero-credit, the student should first contact their academic department or instructor of the academic internship credit, and then discuss possible options with the internship host.

Options May Include:

1.    If the internship host is able to transition to a virtual internship or assign remote projects, the internship may continue as planned. The student should communicate with their academic department or internship course instructor regarding the arrangement.

2.    If option one is not feasible, the intern should alert their academic department or internship course instructor immediately and seek guidance. There are possibilities that can be explored that may substitute for the internship experience.

Should a student participate in person at an internship site, they must adhere to current state and local COVID-19 directives, in addition to CDC guidelines. Also, should such a student elect to continue the in-person internship, the student does so at their own risk. The University has the ability to offer a virtual internship or remote project-based work in lieu of an in-person internship. Therefore, given the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, if a student rejects these internship alternatives, the student has assumed full responsibility for their well-being and will not hold the University liable.

If the student cannot, or is not comfortable continuing an in-person internship (presuming the internship site is open), they should immediately speak with their academic department or internship course instructor for guidance.

Please know that FAMU’s priority is for everyone’s health and safety and to provide the necessary resources to assist students with the completion of the 2020 academic year.

I am required to get my resume reviewed or conduct a mock interview with your office, can I still do that?

  • Resume reviews: you can submit your resume and/or cover letter to careercenter@famu.edu for document reviews and feedback. Feedback will be delivered via your FAMU e-mail address within 24 business hours.
  • Mock interviews: you can practice interviewing through Optimal. Visit the Big Interview or Optimal Resume pages for more information and instructions on logging in to the system.

I need to practice for an upcoming interview, how can I do that?

You can practice interviewing through Big Interview. Visit the Big Interview or Optimal Resume pages for more information and instructions on logging in to the system.

By Marie Smallwood
Marie Smallwood Assistant Director