Advising Appointments
We are here to support Eastman School of Music students and alumni on a variety of career topics. Come connect with us to explore goals, discover professional development opportunities, and review application materials for internships, programs, or grants.
Current Students
All Eastman students, no matter the degree program or level, can receive 1:1 advising. Schedule an appointment by:
- Logging into the Handshake application, using your NetID and password
- Clicking on “Career Center” in the left-hand column
- Selecting the “Appointments” bubble in the next page, and then “Schedule an Appointment”
- Select “Eastman Campus” and then the topic you wish to discuss
- Follow the prompts to find a day and time that works for you
Alumni
Those who are within five years of their graduation date can make appointments with the Graduate and Alumni Career Advisor.
- Try to book an appointment via Handshake
- If you no longer have access to Handshake, due to lack of use, please go to our Bookings page. Select “Alumni Advising.” Make sure to include your graduation year and what you are interested in discussing.
Walk-In Sessions with Peer Career Advisors
Thursdays from 2:30-3:30pm in the IML Office
Every week, we host open hours for students to drop in and workshop their resume or CV. Our trained Peer Career Advisors will walk you through the process.
Have a conflict with this time? No problem! Current ESM students and alumni within 5 years of graduation can submit their resume or CV below to receive feedback.
Please expect 5-7 business days for a response from our Peer Career Advisors.
Preparing for the Appointment
Identify Your Focus
What would you like to discuss or review? How can we provide support?
Draft Your Materials & Questions
Whether it’s updating an old version of a C.V. or drafting a rough cover letter, get the ball rolling. What questions do you have about this process?
Send Materials
Before you arrive to your appointment, please send the most recent draft of your materials as a PDF.
Our Career Advisors
For in-person appointments, please come to the 1st floor of the Miller Center and head to the Institute for Music Leadership office.
Dr. Blaire Koerner
Rachel Roberts
Dr. Jeffrey Dunn
“The 1:1 advising sessions I’ve had have been some of the most transformative and enlightening experiences of my entire academic career. I truly could not imagine doing the job search process without the assistance of the IML. Through these sessions, I’ve developed as a professional, learning my own unique areas of weakness and how to overcome them successfully.”
Brandon Berlanga, ’25E
M.M in Performance & Literature, Percussion
“Dr. Koerner has been an exceptional resource to me as I navigate the next stage in my career. She is always thoughtful and positive, and thinks outside the box to help come up with solutions to whatever challenges I present to her. She is very knowledgeable about the professional world in general, including careers within and adjacent to music as well as careers in completely different fields. If you are an Eastman student or alumnus and you are unsure of your next steps, IML advising is a great place to start.”
Emily Busby, ’20E
B.A. in Applied Music, Double Bass
Additional Resources
Review the handbooks – These resources provide tips for finding job openings, creating résumés, CVs, and cover letters, mastering interviews, and more.
Need Writing Assistance? Contact the Eastman Writing Center for writing-focused appointments.
