The dilemma: the daunting task of how to begin preparation for life beyond The Hill. Many Olaf students have a hard time knowing where to begin when looking for a job or internship. The problem becomes more pressing for seniors, as the end of college life looms closer.

Here comes the Career Development Center to the rescue. The missionof the CDC is to assist students and alumni with life after St. Olaf. The CDC is part of a bigger network at St. Olaf, the Office of Experiential Learning. The primary focus of these organizations is to create a bridge between classroom work and the and the working world. Underclassmen can register to be on the mailing list for available jobs and internships. This service sends about 10 internship possibilities electronically every day.

St. Olaf has the reputation that many of its graduates continue their education after leaving The Hill. The class of 1999 had 23% of its students furthering their schooling.To assist in this process, the CDC provides prep courses for the LSAT and GRE. It helps students with complete applications to professional schools.

The staff at the CDC is very knowledgeable and helpful. Students can make appointments with the professional staff, and also use the student staff at teh CDC as a resourse to find the answers to many questions. Program director Gary Anderson said,"One of the best aspects of the CDC is the student to student dialogue." These staff members are trained in resume assistance, job search applications, and teaching students how to present themselves to employers.

The advice of the CDC is to begin early. By sophomore year, students should start the self-assessment process. It wants to encourage students to become involved in various experiential activities that develop skills and confidence and will assist in defining individual career options. But even seniors can come in today and receive help getting started with finding what possibilities are there.

The CDC has a plethora of information spanning from resume assistance to mock interviews. In the fall, the CDC set up computers in Buntrock Commons to sign seniors up to see materials. Over half of the 2001 graduating class is currently registered. It is a well-utilized organization with over two thousand students passing through its doors per year. The World Wide Service Fair is one example of the CDC bringing different businesses and organizations to campus so that students can see what is available. On February 20, approximately 200-250 students attended the service fair, which included 34 volunteer and service organizations such as the American Red Cross and Peace Corps. The CDC has also organized Summer Job/Camp Fairs with 46 camps and other organizations pitching their companies to approximately 300-350 students. Many of those students received interviews on-sight.

The CDC does not see itself as a placement organization. Rather, it focuses on student development. Skills, values, interests, and abilities need to be evaluated for students to realize what jobs or internships they will be interested in and successful at. This can be achieved through type indicator tests such as the Campel test or the Choices computer program.

A unique aspect to the CDC is its full service website. Students cannot only find out how to write a resume, but they can also put theirs online. Seniors and underclassmen can register to be on the mailing list for available jobs and internships. This service sends about 10 internship possibilities electronically everyday.

St. Olaf has a reputation for many of its graduates to continue their education. The class of 1999 had 23% of its students furthering their schooling. To assist in this process, the CDC provides prep courses for the LSAT and GRE. It facilitates students with help with letters of application to professional schools.

The staff at the CDC is very knowledgeable and helpful. Students can make appointments with the professional staff, but the student staff without appointments can answer many questions. Program director Gary Anderson said," One of the best aspects of the CDC is the student to student dialogue." These staff members are trained in resume assistance, job search applications, and teaching students how to present themselves to employers.

The advice of the CDC is to begin early. By sophomore year, students should start the self-assessment process. They want to encourage students to become involved in various experiential activities that develop skills and confidence and will assist in defining individual career options. But even seniors can come in today and receive help getting started with finding what possibilities are there.