Career
Professional networks and services
UC Santa Cruz is dedicated to supporting the professional success of all of our alumni. We support a variety of professional networks and services. Browse below for webinars, online communities, courses, career fairs, and more! If there is a resource you’d like to see that isn’t listed, please contact us at alumni@ucsc.edu.
UC Santa Cruz Career Success
We recognize that the need for career support doesn’t end after graduation. The UC Santa Cruz Career Success office provides our alumni with continued access to our online tools at no cost.
This includes access to a variety of online resources, job listings on Handshake, free participation in workshops and job fairs, and the opportunity to schedule one-on-one coaching appointments for up to two years after graduation. These coaching sessions cover a range of topics, such as job search strategies, resume reviews, advice for graduate school applications, interview preparation, and career decision-making. Career Success offers a wealth of valuable online resources and guides to help you achieve your career goals.
Post a job for students and fellow alumni
Calling all Banana Slug recruiters, hiring managers, and business owners! One of the best ways you can support your alumni network is by hiring students and other alumni. Here’s how:
- Create an employer account on Handshake, UC Santa Cruz’s platform for connecting students and young alumni with job and internship opportunities.
- Use the #SlugsHireSlugs hashtag to boost visibility when posting job openings on social media.
- Join our Employer Partner Program to enhance your recruiting efforts and engage more deeply with top UC Santa Cruz talent.
Attend virtual career development webinars
Whether you’re exploring your next move or sharpening the skills you already have, our virtual career development programs are here to help you grow. Join live, online workshops and webinars led by industry professionals and career experts.
iGrad: Financial Wellness
iGrad is a finance companion designed to empower UC Santa Cruz students, alumni, faculty, and staff on their financial journey. Whether you’re aiming to budget smarter, explore scholarships, or plan for retirement, iGrad is your go-to platform for building financial wellness. Begin with a quick financial checkup to receive tailored recommendations, then delve into trending content to stay informed on the latest financial insights. Learn at your own pace with extensive resources, covering popular topics like budgeting, job searching, and networking. iGrad prioritizes your privacy with no data mining or advertising—just pure financial education.
COOP Careers
COOP Careers Fall 2024 digital training program offers upskilling in three career tracks: Digital Marketing, Data Analytics, or Financial Services. Eligible for alumni within 10 years of graduating, our workshops and holistic support model prepare you to break into the tech industry and launch a successful career. COOP’s alumni-led approach aids low-income, first-generation college graduates in securing jobs paying $50,000 or more. The program is 100% free, providing certifications, mental health resources, and mindfulness training. Participants benefit from professional network connections, virtual and hybrid opportunities, ongoing employment support, and corporate learning
Career Coach Directory
Working with a Career Coach can accelerate your career growth and guide you toward greater fulfillment, no matter what stage you’re at or what role you hold. A UC Santa Cruz alum as your coach can uniquely help you leverage the distinctive education you received at UCSC—they understand better than anyone the strengths you bring to the table.
UC Alumni Career Network
The UC Alumni Career Network is a high-impact, online series designed to provide UC alumni and community members with the insights, information, and connections to launch, grow and expand your career opportunities.
UC Santa Cruz has over 130,000 Banana Slugs on LinkedIn, with over 13,000 members in the official alumni group. This is a great resource to explore what other Banana Slugs are doing and build your professional network.
Career Library
Share Your Path. Inspire a Slug.
Career Library is a social impact platform helping students explore career paths through short videos from professionals like you. By sharing a 2–3 minute story of how you got into your field, you can help current students connect their interests to real careers.
It’s a simple way to give back, mentor, and inspire—one story at a time.
UCSC Silicon Valley Extension courses
UCSC Silicon Valley Extension offers a gateway to cutting-edge courses taught by industry experts actively working in the field. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your skills, venture into new territories, in pursuit of accreditation or exam preparation, or simply a lifelong learner eager to study alongside industry leaders in the heart of Silicon Valley, you’re invited to expand your horizons, stay ahead of industry trends, and grow your professional network. Alumni receive a $50 discount on courses of $500 or more.
Slugs @ Work
This initiative is a social event tailored for UCSC alumni employed at companies with a significant concentration of fellow Slugs. The program is designed to foster a strong alumni community within your company by co-hosting casual, happy hour-style networking mixers.
“Slugs at Work” aims to create a fun, relaxed environment where alumni can connect, share experiences, and strengthen their professional network.
Please reach out if you are interested in working with our team to plan a Slugs @ Work at your company.
