CAREER NETWORK FOR OLES

Past, present, and future, Oles thrive on:

      Community
      Helping others
      Meeting new people
      Gaining new experiences
      Giving back
      Making their mark in the world

Career Network for Oles brings all of these passions together for Ole students, parents, and alumni, both on the the Hill and off.

What is the Career Network for Oles?

Career Network for Oles is a program designed by the Piper Center for Vocation and Career in conjunction with President David R. Anderson ’74 and the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations.  The program connects St. Olaf juniors and seniors with the College’s alumni and parent community to network and gain insight and experience.

Career Network for Oles gives students a chance to learn about careers, internships and jobs in their fields of interest while providing alumni and parents the opportunity to share their professional experiences and expertise.  Last year, 1,136 alumni and parents and 383 students participated in the program. 

How do I get involved?

Students participating in the program attend an information session, where they receive instruction on creating a paragraph-long profile detailing their skills, experiences and career interests.  Campus mentors and alumni volunteers edit student profiles, which are then submitted to the Career Network for Oles website. Profiles are randomly matched with alumni and parent volunteers within their selected career interests.

Alumni and parent volunteers commit to reading a weekly email from the College that includes approximately five unique student profiles interested in similar career paths.  Alumni and parents offer guidance and contacts regarding student inquiries as they are able.

News Articles

From panic to praise: Learning the value of networking
JANUARY 18, 2012 —

In the first weeks of last year’s Career Network for Oles, Caleb Harrison '12 feared the worst — that no one would respond to his profile highlighting interests in development, international law, and serving abroad. "I was panicking. My peers were receiving responses from parents and alumni and I had yet to hear a thing," Harrison says.
From intern to full-time employee
DECEMBER 7, 2011 —

A Best Buy internship that Benjamin Leis '12 landed with the help of resources in the St. Olaf Center for Experiential Learning provided more than valuable experience — it led to a full-time job offer six months before graduation.
MPR looks at Career Network for Oles
MAY 25, 2010 —

A Minnesota Public Radio story that looks at how St. Olaf students are turning to alumni for career assistance and advice focuses on Ana Ashby '10 (right) and her success with the Career Network for Oles.
Students gain professional opportunities from new Career Network for Oles
MARCH 12, 2010 —

As seniors prepare to enter a tough job market, St. Olaf is launching a networking program that will connect students with St. Olaf alumni and parents. Kirsten Cahoon '98, senior associate director of career connections, hopes the program will "create lasting and sustained relationships."

St. Olaf Magazine (The Ole Connection article) - Winter 2011
Alumni and students reflect on what their connection to the Career Network for Oles program has meant to them and, for our newest alumni, how it has eased their transition into life after St. Olaf.


Questions about the program? Please contact Kirsten Cahoon, Piper Center for Vocation and Career. Email: cahoon@stolaf.edu or (507) 786-3268. Comments and/or feedback are welcome.