| The Office of Career Services works closely with the Education Department to support future teachers in their job search. The staff in Career Services provides resume reviews and houses the credential files for student teachers. Bethany students who are currently student teaching need to establish a credential file with Career Services during the fall semester of the academic year in which they student teach.
What is a credential file?
A credential file is a collection of documents used to support a student's application for a teaching position. It contains a professional resume and between three to six letters of recommendation. Most school districts require candidates to submit copies of their credential file to apply for a teaching position.
How do I establish my credential file?
To establish your credential file, stop by the Office of Career Services. Here you will complete several forms including a list of whom you have requested recommendation letters from and if you would like your credential file open or closed. An "open" credential file means you have access to the documents in your file. A "closed" credential file means you do not have access to the documents. At the time that you stop, the Career Services staff will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each type of file.
In addition to completing several forms, you will need to submit a copy of your professional resume. The Career Services office has sample resumes from Bethany graduates in education available for your reference. The staff can also review a draft of your resume and provide suggestions.
Once you have established your credential file, you simply need to notify the Career Services office when and where you would like your credential sent.
How do I request my file be sent to a school district?
Call or stop by the Career Services Office and provide the following information:
- Name of school district to which you are applying
- Name of school administrator (Superintendent, Principal, Director of Human Resources)
- Application deadline
Your first six credential file mail requests are free and after six requests, the cost to send your credential file is $3.00 per request. Once you exceed six requests, the Career Services office will send you an invoice at the end of the month requesting payment.
I am a Bethany alumnus/alumna who has taught for several years. I am looking for a new job and want to update my credential file. How do I do this?
Simply call or stop by the Career Services office and let us know you would like to update your file. The staff will let you know which letters of recommendation are currently in your file. You tell us which letters you would like to remove from your file. We will then send you a packet with blank forms to give to your new recommenders. Once the new letters are received, your file has been updated.
How long is my credential file retained in the Career Services office?
The Career Services office guarantees credential files will be stored for ten years from the time they are created. However, because we currently have adequate space to store files, Bethany College has been able to retain all credential files of alumni. We will continue to keep these files until we no longer have adequate storage. In that case, we will observe the policy of keeping files for a maximum of ten years.
How do I learn about available teaching positions?
The Career Services office posts announcements of all teaching vacancies that are received. However, we recommend pursuing positions online at www.kansasteachingjobs.com.
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