CAREER CONNECTIONS PROGRAM
Program mission: to assist students in developing, implementing, and evaluating career and life plans.
We strive to connect with students as early as possible, emphasizing exploration strategies and activities, experiential learning opportunities and reflection to assist them in this complex and evolving process. Students commonly utilize our office to
- choose a major,
- assess their sense of self,
- sort out their vocational direction,
- develop an experiential learning plan,
- undertake an internship,
- or for assistance with senior year transition planning (ie., into full-time service programs, graduate/professional school, or work).
Faculty and staff play an integral role by partnering with our office in advising students on life after “the Hill.” We appreciate your support, and your referrals to our
- workshop series,
- web and library resources,
- and career counselors.
A variety of tangible tools for discovering, planning, and pursuing career and life goals are linked on our web page “Resources for Students.”
Furthermore, the Career Connections program partners with individual faculty members, academic departments, and academic programs throughout campus to enrich students’ curricular pursuits with experiential learning and vocational discernment. We have embedded vocational planning into coursework, programs, and majors.
Please contact Kirsten Cahoon ’98, Senior Associate Director for Career Connections, to discuss the possibilities. Follow the links at the right for examples of our collaborative work with academic departments and programs.
LINKS
Experiential Learning
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
“Using the resources that St. Olaf provides . . . is something that I really wish I would have taken more advantage of throughout my time at St. Olaf. It wasn't until coming in and seeing all [the CEL] resources that I really understood how helpful they could have been throughout my college career. I recently found out that the CEL offers practice interviews, which would be so helpful to seniors, or anyone getting ready to apply for jobs or internships. I definitely plan on using this service.”
—Sarah Frank '08
“If the CEL had a cheek I would kiss it. I would not be going to graduate school next year were it not for the CEL.”
—Sarah Meyer '08
“The CEL has been very helpful the past four years. I have attended many of the workshops, such as resume writing and interviewing skills. I have been in the CEL many times to get help with writing my resume and to get advice on different career options. I have also done a few practice interviews in the CEL. It is not always fun watching the tape at the end, but it is a very helpful service that I recommend anyone that has an upcoming interview to utilize!”
—Becca Koch '08
“The CEL is an invaluable resource to not only find opportunities that fit you but to also make them worthwhile. They can help you every step of the way.”
—Trent Chaffee '09
