Tech & Tools for Your Career Journey

There are a lot of great tools out there that can support you in your career journey, and we’ve gathered some of the most helpful ones in one place. Below you’ll find quick guides to different resources, ranging from campus technology to online platforms, that can save you time, money, and effort. Each section is organized in a drop-down format so you can choose what’s most relevant to you and explore at your own pace.

Campus Technologies & Online Platforms:

Did you know the university provides access to a variety of software you can download or use for free as a student? Programs like Microsoft Office, along with other helpful applications, are available through the ITS Software page. Before you purchase anything on your own, check this resource to see what’s included; you may already have access at no cost.

Adobe Licensing

ITS offers Adobe Express Premium to all active students. Adobe Creative Cloud can be purchased through the SUNY ITEC Storefront(opens in a new window) at a discounted rate. For more detailed information, please review the ITS Adobe page.

Sometimes you might need access to a specific software program for a class or project, but purchasing it yourself can be expensive. Before buying, it’s worth checking to see if the program is already available for you to use in one of the campus computer labs.

Our university offers Computer Labs powered by ITS, a search tool that helps you quickly find where certain applications are installed on public lab computers. You can search in two ways:

  • By Application → Look up a program (e.g., Adobe Illustrator) and see which labs have it installed, including the number of Mac and Windows stations.
  • By Location → Select a specific computer lab and view all the available applications in that space.

This tool makes it easier to plan ahead and find the resources you need without extra costs.

Photo Source: freepik.com

Adobe Express offers several free, easy-to-use tools that can support your professional and creative projects, whether you’re designing visuals for class, preparing materials for an internship, or enhancing your online portfolio. These tools are quick, accessible, and great for building your professional brand.

Helpful Adobe Express Tools:

  • Image Resizer (perfect for LinkedIn banners or profile photos):
    Quickly adjust image dimensions to create polished visuals for LinkedIn, portfolios, or presentations.
    Resize Images for Free →
  • Background Remover:
    Instantly remove image backgrounds to create clean professional headshots or product visuals.
    Remove Backgrounds for Free →
  • QR Code Generator:
    Create scannable QR codes that link to your portfolio, website, or LinkedIn profile — great for resumes, presentations, or business cards.
    Generate QR Codes for Free →
  • Image Converter:
    Easily convert images into different formats (like JPG) for use in applications, websites, or digital projects.
    Convert Images for Free →

Tip: Combine Adobe Express tools with design platforms like Canva or Template.net to create cohesive, branded materials that support your career and creative goals.

Canva is a versatile online design platform that makes it easy to create professional-looking graphics, documents, and portfolios—even if you don’t have a formal design background. While many students may know Canva for social media posts or presentations, the platform offers a wealth of tools that can support career development and creative work.

Students can use Canva to:

  • Create portfolio materials: Build shareable digital portfolios that showcase your work with clean, professional layouts. Be sure to use shareable links when sharing with employers.
  • Design supplemental career documents: While resumes should be ATS-friendly (avoid overly graphic resumes that might not parse correctly), Canva can be used for inspiration, creative cover letters, or supplementary documents.
  • Develop career branding materials: Make LinkedIn banners, business cards, or digital flyers to enhance your professional presence. Canva even has a dedicated LinkedIn Sizes guide to help you create properly sized, high-quality graphics for your profile.
  • Explore color and design tools: Use the Color Palette Generator to pull matching colors from photos or brand materials for consistent, professional designs.
  • Learn design best practices: Canva’s Learn section and blog articles, like Career Tips for Your First Job or 7 Career Tips to Succeed in the Creative Industry, provide practical guidance for career-focused design projects.
  • Stay up to date with trends: Explore Design Trends 2025 to see emerging ideas in motion graphics, textures, and AI-driven design tools.

Important Considerations:

  • For most non-design career materials, remember that simple, ATS-friendly formats are still essential for resumes or application documents. Canva creations are excellent for inspiration or supplemental visuals, but always verify compatibility with automated application systems.
  • If you are in a design or creative field, employers may expect custom design work beyond a Canva template, so treat the platform as a starting point or idea generator.
  • Always use shareable links for portfolios or digital documents, and check attribution if you incorporate free elements that require it.

Overall, Canva is a flexible, beginner-friendly design tool that helps students create visually engaging career documents, portfolios, and supplemental materials while learning design principles applicable across creative and marketing roles.

Template.net is an online platform that provides a wide variety of templates for professional documents, letters, and creative projects. While many of their resources are free to use, free templates require attribution, meaning you must cite the source if you use them. They also have a helpful FAQ page that explains usage guidelines and other details.

For college students navigating career services, Template.net can be a useful starting point or inspiration tool. For example, you might find templates for letters of inquiry for internships or jobs, basic portfolio outlines, or creative ways to organize your professional materials. While some resume templates with images or graphics may not be ATS-friendly, using Template.net to get ideas, structure your materials, or see examples can help you start your career documents on solid footing.

How to use Template.net effectively for career goals:

  • Treat it as a foundation or guide, not the final product—adapt templates to match your needs and career goals.
  • Verify all content and formatting for your specific context (for instance, ATS compatibility for resumes).
  • Use templates to brainstorm and organize your materials, but cross-check with your career office or other reputable resources.
  • Explore different document types—letters, portfolios, or professional forms—to expand your career toolkit.

Precautions:

  • Ensure any images, graphics, or creative elements fit professional or ATS standards.
  • Check attribution requirements for free templates.
  • Use multiple resources to validate format, language, and structure—don’t rely solely on one template.

Overall, Template.net is a practical compass to help you get started on career materials, spark ideas, and organize your documents efficiently.

Haystack is a free app that allows you to create and share a digital business card, making networking easier and more sustainable than traditional paper cards. With the free version, students can design a professional-looking card, share it instantly through a QR code or link, and keep all their connections in one place. This tool can be especially helpful during career fairs, networking events, or even when meeting peers on campus.

To get a simple, easy-to-understand overview, check out this LinkedIn article by Dean Dahl, which explains how Haystack works and why it can be useful for professionals and students alike. You can also explore Haystack’s free pricing option to start creating your own card.

For ongoing professional development, the Haystack blog offers tips on building relationships, networking effectively, and navigating the digital professional world.

(Resource shared by Aly Novi)

Whether you’re at a conference, a professional mixer, or a casual gathering where networking naturally unfolds, one question almost always comes up: how do we stay in touch?

For a long time, business cards were the go-to option, and they’re still great! But in today’s digital age, LinkedIn offers a fast, easy, and contextual way to maintain professional connections. One especially handy feature? The LinkedIn QR code, which allows you to instantly share your profile or scan someone else’s.

This resource walks you through three simple steps to access your LinkedIn QR code, so the next time someone says, “Let’s connect on LinkedIn,” you’re ready to go.

Whether you’re a student, alum, faculty, or staff member, having your QR code saved or ready to pull up can make networking smoother and more memorable.

LinkedIn QR Code Resource

Trello is a free, flexible tool that helps you stay organized and work more effectively, whether you’re managing school assignments, collaborating on group projects, or keeping track of your internship responsibilities. Trello uses boards, lists, and cards to help you visualize tasks and move them through a process, making it easy to track progress and stay on top of deadlines.

Students often find Trello useful for:

  • Academic life – keeping track of homework, assignments, or group projects.
  • Campus jobs & internships – organizing tasks, projects, or client work in a professional way.
  • Personal projects – from managing hobbies to planning bigger goals.

Trello also offers free, pre-made templates that you can copy and adapt to your own needs. Here are a few examples that may be especially useful for students in design, marketing, sales, or creative fields:

With its simple setup and free access, Trello is a great way to practice professional project management skills now—skills you can carry into internships, student work, and your career.

Keeping track of your applications, whether for jobs, internships, research positions, fellowships, or graduate programs, is essential. A well-organized tracker helps you stay accountable, ensures you don’t miss critical steps like sending thank-you notes, and prevents mix-ups during interviews. The job search process is holistic, and keeping everything in one place can make a huge difference in how effectively you manage your opportunities.

There are some excellent free tools available to help you track your applications. Click on the button below to access all 3 options!

Job/Internship Tracker Resources

This guide will continue to grow as new tools and resources become available, so check back whenever you want fresh ideas to support your career development. Try out the tools that interest you, and see which ones fit best with your goals and projects.

Career Support & Sources:

As you explore this resource, we encourage you to take advantage of everything available to support your career journey. Below, you’ll find the sources and contributors that made this guide possible, multiple ways to connect with our office for personalized career support, and some important reminders to keep in mind as you plan your strategy. Be sure to check them out, and remember, our team is always here to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.

ReminderWhat This Means for You
Use Multiple SourcesInformation about careers and education can vary depending on where you look. Try checking several websites and resources when researching anything related to your career development (for example: job outlooks, salaries, industry trends, graduate programs, or fellowships, etc.). This will help you get a fuller, more accurate picture of what employers or admissions committees are looking for.
Make Sure to NetworkTalking directly with people associated with your career goals or the programs/companies you’re interested in can give you the clearest and most useful insights. Reach out to professionals, recruiters, alumni, or current students to learn what really matters in your field (for example: company expectations, hiring timelines, résumé preferences, graduate program requirements, etc.). Even within the same industry or graduate program type, different organizations and admissions committees may value things differently. Listening carefully to their guidance can help you put your best foot forward.
Use AI Ethically in Career DevelopmentAI tools can be a great resource for brainstorming, polishing materials, or practicing interview questions (for example: outlining position description details to guide your documents, generating practice questions, etc.). But it works best when you use it thoughtfully and make sure the final work reflects your own skills and voice. Some employers and graduate programs may not allow AI, so always check instructions carefully. Think of AI as a helper, not a replacement—and remember, Career Consultants are happy to guide you on how to use it effectively!
Be Aware of Employment Scams When searching for jobs or internships, it’s important to stay alert for potential scams—especially when exploring positions outside of Binghamton’s Handshake. Common warning signs include requests for personal or financial information upfront, job offers without interviews, or anything that seems “too good to be true.” To learn more about what to watch for, see real examples, and find out how to protect yourself or respond if you encounter a scam, check out Employment Scam Information – Binghamton University. Staying informed helps you pursue opportunities safely and confidently.

Drop-ins: When classes are in session, Monday-Friday, from 12-4 p.m., you can visit our office to schedule a 20-minute drop-in with our staff.

Appointments: You can schedule your 30-minute career session on Handshake. These are offered all year and can be done virtually and in person.

Online Resources: Visit uConnect, our virtual career center that is always accessible to support your career needs.

Attend Drop-ins:
Schedule Your Appointment
Utilize uConnect

Picture Source: Gemini (AI-generated image by Google Gemini) or Freepik.com

Website Sources: Special thanks to the organizations, industry experts, and thought leaders who share valuable career resources, research, and articles with the public. Your work provides important insights that support students’ career development.

AI Assistance: Portions of this resource may have been developed with support from AI tools (such as ChatGPT by OpenAI or Gemini), used to help synthesize research, generate summaries, and refine formatting. All final content has been reviewed and customized for Binghamton University students.