AI-powered tools expand opportunities for students, graduates using Purdue Global’s Center for Career Advancement

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — When Christopher Fontes needed help preparing for an interview, he used AI-powered resources from Purdue Global’s Center for Career Advancement in conjunction with one-on-one support from his career specialist.

Fontes, who earned his Master of Science in health informatics, said the programs referred to him — VMock and Big Interview — prepared him by talking through practice interview questions while allowing him to review his responses. That technique helped him structure his answers more effectively for actual interviews.

“Having resources like this available to me is not only beneficial, but also a reflection of the university’s belief in their students and the effort put into their endeavors and the persistence required to succeed,” Fontes said.

VMock, a résumé review tool used by Purdue Global since 2020, has served more than 15,000 Purdue Global students over the years. Students can upload a résumé and cover letter, and the AI platform can compare résumés to job descriptions and review the content for improvements. VMock also includes cover letter templates.

The other tool, Big Interview, has hosted nearly 56,000 interview sessions for almost 12,000 students since 2022. Purdue Global faculty members and academic advisors have worked with the Center for Career Advancement to coordinate interview assignments for classes.

Adam Bufka, a director of the Center for Career Advancement, said Big Interview is a strong tool to improve students’ interview skills.

Bufka said the digital interviewing program can help build students’ confidence by providing feedback on eye contact and verbal cues, as well as managing an interview. Both programs give students an opportunity to work with additional AI tools.

“We were asking, ‘How can we prepare them differently?’” Bufka said. “The student feedback with Big Interview has been positive, with them feeling that the platform provides them immediate feedback, which helps them improve and prepare for interviews.”

Mandy Thomas, assistant director of the Center for Career Advancement, said tools like VMock and Big Interview are examples of how the center is embracing AI while helping prepare students for today’s workforce and teaching them to use it responsibly. While AI programs allow students to access services 24/7 with immediate feedback, it is not intended to replace their career specialist. Students can also set up an appointment with their career specialist to further develop and personalize their résumés and cover letters. “These are great conversation starters,” Thomas said.

Fontes learned of the programs from his advisor and began using them.

“I would encourage students without reservation to make full use of them if they are serious about their careers and want to feel confident in their preparation,” Fontes said. “When resources like this are accessible to all, it is entirely intentional and in the best interests of the students. The students who move forward the fastest are the ones who ask questions, seek feedback and treat preparation as a skill to be developed, not a trait they either have or don’t.”