Career Development
Information for Students
Mason Smith won the internship raffle.
General Information
Each student is encouraged to register with Washington College's new web-based job search tool, JOBS, by George!
If you would like to be notified of all Career Center events and programs and receive information and tips throughout the year, you will need to sign up on the new Career Center Events list serve.
The Career Center also maintains the following Job Search list serves for which you can sign up below and receive emails of all available job opportunities as they are posted:
- Student Job Hunters for part-time local jobs
- Internships Info for paid/unpaid/not-for-academic-credit Internships
- Graduating Seniors for entry level positions
- Alumni Job Hunters for experienced positions
You will find career planning workshops and presentations that are being conducted or sponsored by the Center for Career Development by visiting our 2009 Calendar of Events.
To Make an Appointment
- Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Contact: 410-778-7890
career_center@washcoll.edu
First Year Career Pilot - Steps for First Year Students
Below is an outline of the 2009-2010 goals for first year students, participating in the First Year Pilot Program, with an emphasis on awareness and early involvement. Each of these are available to all First Year students:
- Attend meeting during Orientation weekend. In this meeting, you will learn more about the Career Center and getting started early with academic and other decisions.
- Complete self assessment survey. This will be given to you during the Orientation meeting.
- Complete online strengths, skills, and abilities survey.
- Complete online resume.
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor. This meeting should occur prior to the annual WC Career Fair held in March.
- Attend the WC Career Fair. This event is scheduled to take place on March 17, 2010 from 10:00am - 2:00pm in the Cain Gym.
- Complete a survey/satisfaction assessment at the end of year.
Four Year Plan in the Career Planning Process
Do you have questions like:
- How do I decide what career is best for me?
- How can I get information about different careers?
- How can I get experience before I graduate?
- How can I find a job?
The following outline can assist you in your career planning process!
Freshman Year: Getting Started on Your Career Planning
- Take a variety of courses to develop new areas of interest and do your best.
- Get involved in campus or community activities to develop skills.
- Visit the Career Center to learn about resources available for identifying skills, interests, and values.
- Participate in the campus leadership program.
Sophomore Year: Exploring Careers
- Continue to explore career options as you consider the majors which interest you using the career library, the web site, and Career Liftoff (enter ccdcenter as the shared password).
- Get a part-time job or volunteer through the college service program to build your skills and work experience.
- Develop a résumé to use for your summer or part-time job search.
- Seek out career-related summer jobs.
Junior Year: Refining Your Career Plan
- Pursue a career-related Internship through your academic department or using the Career Center's web site and files.
- Build experience using part-time or volunteer activities.
- Continue to research career options which interest you and begin identifying employers.
- Research graduate programs and prepare to take GRE, LSAT, MCAT or other tests if you plan to attend graduate or professional school.
Senior Year: Making Your Career Choice
- Polish your résumé and participate in interviewing workshops and mock interviews.
- Use internet to research employers, attend job fairs, and interview with campus recruiters.
- Network with alumni career consultants.
- Prepare graduate school applications.
Social Networking Site Tips
Advisory Regarding Social Networking Sites
More and more employers are going to social networking sites like Facebook and My Space to obtain information about job applicants. Employers have indicated that they have rejected applicants based on what they found on these sites. The top areas of concern found on social networking sites include:
- Information about alcohol or drug use (41% of managers said this was a top concern)
- Inappropriate photos or information posted on a candidate's page (40%)
- Poor communication skills (29%)
- Bad-mouthing of former employers or fellow employees (28%)
- Inaccurate qualifications (27%)
- Unprofessional screen names (22%)
- Notes showing links to criminal behavior (21%)
- Confidential information about past employers (19%)
---- based on a study conducted by Career Builder.
LinkedIn - A Professional Networking Site
Over 40 million professionals use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas and opportunities. It is used to also stay informed about your contacts and industry, find the people & knowledge you need to achieve your goals, and to control your professional identity online.
Your professional network of trusted contacts gives you an advantage in your career, and is one of your most valuable assets. LinkedIn exists to help you make better use of your professional network and help the people you trust in return. LinkedIn's mission is to connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful. They believe that in a global connected economy, your success as a professional and your competitiveness as a company depends upon faster access to insight and resources you can trust.
To join or to learn more about this professional networking site, visit linkedin.com and begin making this exciting online resource work for you!
Visit careerservices.linkedin.com to receive valuable tips on locating and creating opportunities for students.