The Center for Academic Advising and Career Development, which encompasses the Sturgis Academic Advising Center and Norman Career Services, is committed to empowering students to develop the insights, experiences, and connections to forge meaningful academic and career pathways. 

Department website: http://www.atu.edu/advising/

The Sturgis Academic Advising Center (AAC) within the Center for Academic Advising and Career Development provides academic and career advising to all first-time entering freshmen. Professional academic and career advisors in the AAC continue to advise freshmen (excluding Organizational Studies and Associates seeking only students) into the semester they will earn approximately sixty (60) credit hours. Academic and career advisors also meet with newly admitted transfer and returning students who have earned less than 50 credit hours or who need additional guidance in selecting a major. All newly admitted transfer and returning students who have earned more than 50 hours are advised through the academic department of their major. Students seeking only an associate degree are advised by the appropriate academic department after their first advising appointment with the AAC. Students seeking only the Associate of Arts in General Education continue to be advised by the AAC. Students are required to meet with an advisor each semester to select classes for the upcoming semester. Advisors also serve as a resource for students who want to know more about a particular major or are having difficulty with a class. Staff in the Center are here to be a resource for students and the campus community.

Department website: https://www.atu.edu/career/index.php

The mission of ATU Norman Career Services (NCS) is to prepare students to make educated decisions, throughout their ATU journey and beyond, by empowering them through career development and experiential learning activities and helping them find success in the pursuit of their educational and professional needs.

Norman Career Services plays an integral role in undergraduate, graduate and alumni experience at Arkansas Tech University by helping students make the transition from college to career.  Norman Career Services (NCS) supports students in career development by helping them discover their strengths through completing self-assessments, selecting a major, outlining a career path, and gaining professional experience. NCS offers one-on-one career coaching sessions to provide personalized support to students.  In addition, NCS offers tailored presentations, resume and cover letter workshops, career fairs, and networking opportunities for students to engage with employers. Leveraging programs such as Handshake and Big Interview, NCS provides students with tools and technology to explore job opportunities, internships, and upcoming career-related events. Through collaboration with faculty, staff, and employers, NCS is able to offer valuable career insights in a variety of disciplines and majors at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Handshake is Norman Career Services’ online platform for college recruiting/job search and student professional development. Students can go to https://atu.joinhandshake.com/login, enter their OneTech credentials, and activate their accounts.