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When it comes to landing an internship or a job, preparation is key. That’s why the University of New Haven’s Career Development Center (CDC) has launched "Application Ready," a self-paced Canvas course designed to help students develop their resumes, refine their interviewing skills, and build a strong professional network. The course is automatically added to all students’ Canvas portal and serves as a centralized resource for career preparation.

“The goal is to make sure students are truly ready to apply for opportunities — whether that’s an internship, full-time job, research position, or even graduate school,” said Natalie Criniti, assistant director of career advising. “This course brings everything together in one place to help students organize their materials and mark themselves as ‘application ready.’”

Upon completion, students receive an "Application Ready" label on Handshake, the robust job and internship platform all students have access to. This designation helps the Career Development Center connect students directly with employers and preferred partners who are actively seeking talent. “Students who have this label will instill confidence in the CDC that we can send their materials to our employer partners,” Criniti explained.

With thousands of students enrolled in the course, and more than 800 already actively engaging with it, "Application Ready" is quickly establishing itself as a key resource for career preparation at the University.

One of the key motivations behind "Application Ready" was to ensure that students have all the fundamental career tools they need to prepare for application submissions. The Career Development Center meets students at orientation, in first-year communication courses, and in pre-internship classes, but this centralized resource will support in preparing materials from start to finish.

“It’s all about making sure students are ready for their next opportunity,” said Criniti. “We’re already connecting with students in different areas, but having this course gives them a dedicated space to work on their career materials at their own pace. It’s in Canvas, which students use every day for their classes, so it’s a natural fit.”

The course consists of three modules: Handshake and resumes; professional networking via LinkedIn; and interview preparation. Students complete a series of assignments, including activating their Handshake account, using AI technology to refine their resumes, participating in LinkedIn workshops, and practicing a mock interview through a tool called Big Interview.

“Students can go through the modules when they’re ready,” Criniti said. “And once they complete the course, we verify their progress and label them as ‘Application Ready’ on Handshake.”

Criniti noted that "Application Ready" is part of larger initiatives, such as asking all students to upload their resumes to Handshake, and to update them regularly throughout their time at the University.

“The idea is that students should see their resume evolve over time within Handshake. If you upload it as a first-year student, then again after gaining experience through coursework, internships, or projects, you can update and track your growth and always be ready for opportunities.” Natalie Criniti

The course also ensures students are prepared for interviews by providing AI-driven feedback on their responses to common questions. “Through Big Interview, students can record answers to questions such as ‘Tell me about yourself’ and ‘Tell me about a recent team project. What was your role?’” Criniti explained. “The AI tool provides feedback, so they can refine their responses before sitting down for a true mock interview or real employer.”

For students, networking is another crucial opportunity for professional development. The course includes a LinkedIn workshop, guiding students through best practices for building their profiles and making connections. “Networking is so important, and we want to make sure students understand how to use LinkedIn effectively,” Criniti said.

While "Application Ready" equips students with the tools they need to apply for opportunities, Criniti emphasized that career preparation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. “We know that thinking about internships and jobs can be stressful,” she said. “But we’re here to help. This course is just one step in the equation—it doesn’t mean you have to figure everything out today.”

Looking ahead, the Career Development Center is already considering ways to expand and update the course. “We know that a first-year student’s resume will look different by senior year,” Criniti noted. “We’re exploring ways to have a re-certification process so students can update their materials and maintain their ‘Application Ready’ status throughout their time at the University.”

For students who may feel unsure about taking the course, Criniti offered reassurance. “We want students to know they’re not alone in this process. We’re here to support them every step of the way,” she said ”Being prepared makes the whole internship and job search process less scary.”