CAREER SERVICES &
PROFESSIONAL LIFE DEVELOPMENT

Services for
TEACHERS & EDUCATORS  

The Job Search Process 

Gorham Career Services provides career advising at all stages of the education job search process.  Obtain individual assistance with resume and credential development, learn job search strategies and obtain job market information.  Call 780-5330 for an appointment or stop by our office – 128 School Street in Gorham – for assistance.

INITIATE A CREDENTIAL FILE

See “Getting Started with Credentials” to the right.

PREPARE CREDENTIAL MATERIALS

Develop a resume, work on a personal philosophy statement, and request letters of reference from individuals who have sufficient knowledge of your teaching ability.  Three to five letters of reference should be in your credential file by March 1^st.

TAKE THE PRAXIS I EXAM

The State of Maine has mandated that anyone applying for initial teacher certification must take and achieve qualifying scores on the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST).

GET FINGERPRINTED

The Maine Department of Education requires all professionals who hold or are applying for an education certification, authorization or approval to be fingerprinted.  

CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

If you have questions about certification, or need any forms, the Maine Department of Education  has a Frequently Asked Questions page to help you. Check out our Certification Made Easy for help with the process.

RESEARCH JOB POSSIBILITIES

Attend job fairs, visit the Career Resource Center, utilize the Job Search section of this web site to familiarize yourself with available positions, and learn more about the job application process.  Research the geographical locations in which you wish to work (including state-specific requirements) and check out school web pages.

ACCESS OUR ALUMNI NETWORK

USM has a network of over 375 education alumni who are willing to act as mentors and provide students with information about their geographic areas and career fields.  To connect with these alums, contact the Gorham office of Career Services & Professional Life Development.

COMPLETE YOUR CREDENTIAL FILE

Submit a polished resume (critiquing services are available) and personal philosophy statement.  Make sure that all requisite forms, scores, and letters of reference have been turned in.   Your final degree posted transcript and teaching certificate will be added to your file after you graduate.

APPLY

Attend the Gorham Career Services Interviewing Skills Workshop.  Actively apply for any positions you are interested in.  Make requests by mail, telephone, fax, or in person to send out your credential file. See the "Sending Out Your Credential File" section of Getting Started With Credentials.

FOLLOW UP

Be sure we have your summer address and notify us if you accept employment so we can keep accurate records.  Inform us of further changes in name, address, or telephone number, and complete and return the GCSPLD Survey Questionnaire you receive in the fall.  Please sign up to be a member of our Alumni Network.