Year: 2025

100+ Conversations – “Not as intimidating as I thought”

Posted on by Rachel Wood

During KConnect Week, more than 100 career conversations unfolded between Kalamazoo College students and alumni. In all, 106 meetings connected 59 students with 38 alumni across the country. For many students, these short, 20 minute Hornet Huddles offered something essential in the career development process: direct, candid access to someone who once sat exactly where they are now. Students described the experience as energizing and humanizing, noting that the conversations felt more like genuine mentorship than formal interviews. What surprised them most was how approachable the alumni were. One student summed it up simply: “Made me realize alumni are not that intimidating to talk to.”

For alumni, the impact went both ways. Many enjoyed hearing what current students are curious about, what challenges they are thinking through, and how their own career paths with all their pivots and surprises could offer reassurance. Several mentioned that the small group format allowed space for real conversation, even within a single 20 minute session. The topics covered a wide landscape: scientific research, law, public policy, marketing, finance, technology, education, communications, nonprofit leadership, and more. Alumni shared insights from government agencies, startup environments, hospitals, laboratories, courtrooms, schools, and global companies. Students used the time to explore majors, test assumptions, and ask practical questions about internships, first roles, identity in the workplace, and how to get started.

Many conversations also sparked a next step, whether that was an invitation to connect again on LinkedIn, an offer to review a resume, or a suggestion to reach out to someone else in the alum’s network. The ripple effects of a single meeting will continue long after KConnect Week. Hornet Huddles continue to show the strength of a career community built on real people and real conversations. Students benefit from seeing firsthand how K alumni build lives and careers after graduation. Alumni benefit from reconnecting with the campus community and supporting emerging professionals in fields they care deeply about.

As KConnect grows, so will the opportunities to make these conversations easy and accessible. The goal remains the same: to help students try things and talk to people, and to ensure that every Hornet has access to the guidance, perspective, and encouragement that comes from another Hornet saying, “I have been there. Let’s talk.”

For students and alumni alike, joining KConnect is an easy way to stay connected to this community year-round. You don’t need to participate in Hornet Huddles to take part. Students can explore alumni profiles and reach out for advice whenever they’re ready, and alumni can make themselves available for future conversations in whatever way fits their schedules. Anyone can get started at kzoo.alumnifire.com.

Documenting Change: A Narrative Project in Ethnic Studies

Posted on by Rachel Wood

Supported by a CCPD Summer Internship Stipend, Luis spent the summer interning with Gente Organizada, a community-led social action nonprofit in Pomona, California. Through a self-designed narrative project focused on the implementation of ethnic studies in local high schools, they led interviews, built community connections, and gained a deeper understanding of how grassroots organizing turns community needs into lasting change.

“Over the summer, I interned at a community-led social action non-profit organization based in Pomona, CA called Gente Organizada. I’ve been a part of this organization since I was in middle school and have had the opportunity to intern with them over the past two summers, thanks to the support of the CCPD, which provided me with the funding to prioritize this type of work without worrying about any financial burden. This summer, my internship also doubled as a component of my Senior Individualized Project (SIP), where I took the lead and created a project opportunity in collaboration with Gente Organizada.

My work for the summer consisted of a narrative-based project regarding ethnic studies being implemented in the high schools of my hometown, Pomona, CA. My project aimed to cover three main points: to understand why the community felt the need for the students of Pomona to have an ethnic studies class, to highlight and gain a deeper understanding of how community members’ work contributed to the creation of this course, and to speak on the next steps now that the curriculum is being implemented.

I was the lead on this project, which meant I was responsible for all aspects of the project, including, but not limited to, creating the questionnaire, conducting outreach to potential interviewees, scheduling one-on-one meetings, arranging interview times, setting up equipment, and conducting the interviews. This experience and workload gave me a greater appreciation for the work that organizations such as Gente Organizada conduct, as well as the level of work and care required for different projects or campaigns.

This experience also strengthened my outlook on the future regarding possible careers after college. In my future, I definitely see myself working in a space like Gente Organizada or in a career field with similar goals or qualities. Overall, the work I accomplished over the summer was incredible and has benefited not only me but also served as a foundation for future work in ethnic studies at Pomona, as I left Gente with a record of work but also new connections.” – Luis Castro-Limon ’26

A modern solution to a legacy challenge – Career Connection Toolkit

Posted on by Rachel Wood

During summer 2025, the CCPD kicked off a new project we’re genuinely excited about: the Career Connection Toolkit. It grew out of two big questions we’ve been wrestling with for a long time.

First: How do we help students keep building career development skills when none of our services are required? We know these skills matter, a lot, for launching confidently into life after K, but it’s easy for students to miss them simply because they never cross paths with us.

Second: How do we teach these skills when every student starts from a different place? Some arrive having never created a resume, while others grew up around professionals who had them networking in high school. Most sit somewhere in between.

The Career Connection Toolkit is our response to both challenges. It’s flexible, it’s accessible, and it moves us closer to our long-term goal of embedding career everywhere.

Built for real student lives

The Career Connection Toolkit is a collection of self-paced, asynchronous modules that teach core career skills. Everything is on Moodle and is available 24/7. No appointments, no waitlists, and no hoping a CCPD workshop happens to be offered in the right class at the right time.

You can jump into the Toolkit directly through the CCPD website, and it will keep growing over time. Each module focuses on one key skill and is broken into short, digestible lessons. A typical lesson includes:

  • a short written overview to explain the concept
  • an interactive activity to apply the skill in real time
  • a reflection checklist to help you lock in what you learned

Most lessons take about 7–12 minutes, and a full module can be completed in under an hour.

This structure helps in a lot of ways:

  • It’s flexible. Students can spend 10 minutes learning something useful and come back later without losing momentum.
  • It works in classrooms. Faculty can pair a full module with a single class session without reworking an entire syllabus.
  • It supports different learning styles. Written content, examples, and hands-on activities give students multiple ways to engage.

Right now, the Toolkit includes three modules; a basic resume module, an advanced resume module, and a Career Conversations (informational interviews) module. They’re live for students now, and we’re actively collecting feedback as we continue improving and planning the next round of modules.

If you’d like to explore, assign, or share your thoughts on the Toolkit, you can find everything at career.kzoo.edu/cctoolkit.

Moving forward

The Toolkit is one more way we’re working to make career learning a shared responsibility across campus. We’re grateful for partners like Athletics who have jumped in early, and we’re eager to collaborate with anyone who sees value in helping students connect their experiences to their futures. If you’d like to explore the modules or offer input as we develop new ones, we’d love to hear from you.

Building First-Year Confidence: Career Advisors Visit 15 Seminars This Fall

Posted on by Rachel Wood

This fall, our Career Advisors brought resume fundamentals directly into the classroom, visiting fifteen First-Year Seminars to deliver a short, practical presentation called “Building Your First College Resume: The Basics Every College Student Needs to Know.”

The advisors walked students through why resumes matter early, what counts as experience (far more than most first-years expect), and where to find step-by-step guidance in our Career Connection Toolkit. The toolkit’s Basic Resume module (complete in under an hour) helps students build a polished college-level resume from scratch, with templates and practice activities built in.

Career Advisor Eric shared that the visits made an impact:
“It was a super engaging way for first years to become familiar with the CCPD! I wish that I had been introduced to the CCPD my freshman year. My presentations were a great way to spark awareness for how a resume can be built using CCPD resources.”

We’re grateful to our Career Advisors for helping new students take their first steps toward exploring opportunities at K. And, we’re grateful to our First Year Seminar Instructors for welcoming our staff in! Students can find the resume module and more at career.kzoo.edu/CCToolkit.

Growing as Student Advisors: What DSAs Explored in This Year’s Workshop

Posted on by Rachel Wood

In October, Alejandro Alaniz ’18 led a full day workshop for Department Student Advisors and Career Advisors focused on the conversations they have every day with students who are sorting through majors, purpose, and belonging.

Connecting Interests to Learning

“Field of study, not the major, not the average salary, should be the guiding principle…” — Hacking College

The morning began with the idea of hidden intellectualism, based on Gerald Graff’s work about the thinking students already do in their everyday interests. Graff’s claim: “Students are often more intellectual than they realize; the problem is not that they lack intelligence but that they have not found topics that ignite their minds.”

Alejandro shared his own example of travel planning and how it helped him build skills in research, cultural learning, and problem solving long before he realized those skills connected to academic and professional paths. He told the group that the goal was to think about “what it means to connect your own story and curiosity to the way you support other students.” Advisors then spent time reflecting on the interests and experiences that shape how they already learn and make sense of the world.

From Wicked Problems to Field of Study

Next, the group worked with the idea of wicked problems. These are the complex real world issues that cross disciplines and do not have simple solutions. This framing encouraged advisors to move beyond the question of “What should my major be” and toward a broader sense of “What field of study helps me explore the problems I care about.” Advisors looked at how their classes, experiences, and questions form larger themes and how those themes can help students build more connected paths through their time at K.

Investigative Inquiry and Storytelling

After lunch, the workshop shifted to investigative inquiry. Advisors practiced asking questions that help them understand how people think about their work and why they do it. They each drafted one big question tied to their own field of study and talked about when students might use this type of inquiry instead of a traditional career conversation.

Later in the afternoon, the focus moved to storytelling. DSAs shared short, honest accounts of their own paths and named the strengths they heard in each other’s stories. The activity gave advisors a chance to think about how sharing real experiences can help students feel less alone in their uncertainty.

Putting It Into Practice

DSA workshop students working picture 1
DSA workshop students working picture 2

To bring the ideas together, advisors worked through a few student scenarios. The point was not to find perfect solutions but to practice listening well, asking thoughtful questions, and helping students take a next step that makes sense for them.

At the end of the workshop, Alejandro summed up the day by saying, “I left feeling so proud of these student leaders and their commitment to helping their peers find belonging and purpose here at K.”

It was a good chance for DSAs to step back, reflect, and strengthen the way they show up for their peers. We look forward to continuing this important work with our departmental student advisors!

Learning Global Health Firsthand: A Summer with the Institute for Family Health

Posted on by Rachel Wood
Madeline Hanulcik and her coworder Rania

Supported by the CCPD Summer Internship Stipend, this student spent the summer in Amman, Jordan, working with the Institute for Family Health to strengthen healthcare access for vulnerable communities. From identifying service gaps to supporting inclusive education initiatives, their work offered a powerful glimpse into the impact of global public health collaboration.

“This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at the Institute for Family Health (IFH) in Amman, Jordan. IFH is a regional model for comprehensive, accessible, and integrated healthcare and social services. Established in 1986, IFH provides high-quality primary health care, mental health and psychosocial support, rehabilitation, and protection services to vulnerable populations, including refugees, women, children, and persons with disabilities. With a network of clinics across Jordan, IFH combines direct service delivery with training, research, and advocacy to strengthen health systems and promote the well-being and dignity of individuals and communities.

Throughout the summer at IFH, I supported efforts to strengthen healthcare access in Jordan by identifying service gaps in Amman and other vulnerable cities. I collaborated with key partners, including the Ministry of Health and other local organizations, to align responses with national priorities. Additionally, I contributed to grant applications focused on expanding inclusive education and support for students with disabilities across Jordan.

From this opportunity, I gained practical skills in cross-sector collaboration by working closely with government and organizational partners. I developed the ability to identify and analyze service gaps in the health sector, particularly in vulnerable communities. I also strengthened my adaptability and communication skills by navigating a professional workplace in my second language.

I feel so thankful to the CCPD for providing me with the Summer Internship Stipend because without it, it would have been impossible for me to travel back to Jordan and study public health in the country I have so much love for. In addition to working with my incredible coworkers and learning how to work in the public health sector, I had the unique opportunity to practice my Arabic, travel, and make new friends from Jordan. The Summer Internship Stipend is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I encourage all K students who are interested to apply!” – Madeline Hanulcik ’26

Making LinkedIn Work for You in 2025

Posted on by Rachel Wood

LinkedIn has changed a lot since 2021 when I first shared these tips. Back then, the focus was mostly on having a polished profile and connecting with alumni. Those things still matter, but now there are more ways than ever to make LinkedIn work for you. 

1. Start with the basics, then level up

  • Photo & headline: A clear, friendly headshot and a headline with 2–3 keywords for your field make it easier for people to find you.
  • About section: Write in first person, keep it authentic. Share what you’re interested in, not just what you’ve done.
  • Experience: Focus on results and projects, not just job titles or duties.

2. Post with purpose

You don’t have to make posts on LinkedIn. If you do, you definitely don’t have post all the time. Liking, commenting, or sharing others’ posts is valuable. But posting can be easier than you might think. If you do want to post, share something quick about what you’re learning, working on, or curious about. That could be:

  • A class project you’re proud of
  • An internship or campus job update
  • An article, podcast, class discussion, or event that got you thinking
  • A question for people in your field of interest
  • A reflection on a skill you’re building

New in 2025: LinkedIn’s algorithm favors visual content. Aim for most posts to have an image, infographic, or short video. Short, vertical “Reels”-style videos and carousel posts are performing especially well.
Tip: Don’t just post. Stick around to reply to comments and join conversations.

3. Level up your outreach

We talk a lot about reaching out to alumni or other professionals in our field(s) of interest. This outreach works best when it’s short, specific, and personal. Mention something specific you noticed, like a recent post or shared interest. Instead of just “I’m a student and want to talk,” try:

  • “I saw you got your PMP certification. I’m curious if you’d recommend it for someone starting out?”
  • “I noticed you did your graduate work at the University of Michigan. What helped you choose it?”

As career coach Madeline Mann says, “If you’re going to ask for 15 minutes of their time, be sure to show that you spent 15 minutes of yours.” Remember to follow up; thank people for their time or advice, and later share how you used what they told you.

4. Stay genuine

LinkedIn’s culture has shifted toward valuing authenticity. It’s okay to show a bit of your personality alongside your professional work. The more your profile reflects your real values and interests, the more likely you are to attract opportunities that fit you.

Bottom line: The basics from 2021 still matter. In 2025, LinkedIn works best when you keep your profile fresh, connect with people genuinely, and take small, consistent actions. You don’t have to do everything, just keep showing up. 

Exploring Biomedical Research at WMed

Posted on by Rachel Wood

Supported by a CCPD summer internship stipend, Abigail Eilertson ’27 spent the summer in Dr. Adil Akkouch’s biomedical engineering lab at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. Her work with nanoparticles offered firsthand experience in how research drives medical innovation and confirmed a growing passion for medicine and discovery.

“This summer, I performed biomedical engineering research, under the mentorship of Dr. Adil Akkouch, at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine. My research project primarily focused on synthesizing nanoparticles and evaluating their antibacterial properties. My primary role in the project was creating the nanoparticles and conducting experiments using agar disc diffusion and time-kill kinetic assays to assess how varying nanoparticle size and concentration impacted bacterial growth over time. This internship not only helped deepen my understanding of experimental design and data analysis but also solidified my aspiration in becoming a physician-scientist.

While I had previously appreciated the value of research-based treatments, working directly in a biomedical engineering lab has allowed me to understand how innovative therapies are developed from concept to application. As a future physician, I aim to continue research and stay at the forefront of medical advancements to provide the best and most up-to-date care for my patients. Medicine is built upon innovation and the constant need to seek new solutions for old challenges. My time in the biomedical engineering lab has broadened my perspective and helped me recognize persistent issues in our healthcare systems. I have been able to reflect on how existing procedures and treatments could be reimagined in the future to better meet the needs of the patients. My internship would not have been possible without the help of the CCPD. Due to cuts to research, funding is increasingly limited and securing grants is difficult. With the internship stipend, I was able to completely focus on my research without the distraction of financial concerns. Overall, this summer research internship has positively impacted my academic and personal growth by deepening my understanding of biomedical engineering research methods and solidifying my aspirations of becoming a physician-scientist.”

Abigail Eilertson ’27

Meet Alumni. Build Connections. Join a Hornet Huddle.

Posted on by Rachel Wood

What if you could grab coffee with someone who once stood exactly where you are but now works for the Detroit Lions, the U.S. Department of State, or Johnson & Johnson?

KConnect Week (Dec. 2–6) is all about meaningful connections between students and alumni. One of the best ways to get involved is through Hornet Huddles, 20-minute, one-on-one or small-group conversations with K alumni from a wide range of careers.

Alumni hosts have volunteered to share advice, career stories, and insights to help you explore options after K. Huddles happen on Zoom throughout the week.

Before signing up, check your calendar carefully and make sure you can attend. Once you register, show up. Alumni are setting aside time just for you, and it’ll be important not just for you but for future K students to honor your commitment.

How it works

  • Log in to the KConnect Week portal with your KNet ID and password to view all alumni bios and available times.
  • Each Huddle listing includes the alum’s field, interests, and signup link through Bookings.
  • After you reserve a spot, you’ll receive a calendar invite with the Zoom link.

Featured Alumni Snapshots

A few of the many alumni ready to meet with you:

  • Amanda Moss ’19 – Head of International Strategy, Detroit Lions: global sports business and leadership.
  • Dr. Natalie Melnick ’15 – Physician Assistant, Henry Ford Health: liberal arts to medicine.
  • Sarah Glass ’17 – Principal Scientist, Johnson & Johnson: biochemistry to drug discovery.
  • Kyle Hartwell ’07 – Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State: diplomacy and global careers.
  • Mallika Mitra ’16 – Journalist & Editor: business and finance storytelling.
  • Bethany Whitehead ’98 – Director of Operations & Culture, Minnesota Museum of American Art: equity and leadership in the arts.
  • Paul Guenette ’74 – Former CEO & Development Leader: 40 years in global agribusiness; author of From Kalamazoo to Timbuktu.
  • Riya Bhuyan ’20 – Strategy & Operations Lead, Virya Projects: consulting to sustainability.
  • Olivia Nalugya ’16 – Scientist III, Cardinal Health: first-generation international professional in healthcare innovation.
  • Asia Liza Morales ’15 – Regional Vice President, The Posse Foundation: advancing education equity.
  • Michael Zak ’09 – Principal Marketing Manager, Amazon: storytelling and innovation in tech.
  • Daniel Henry ’20 – Associate Attorney, Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP: specializing in patent prosecution and AI/machine learning.

And that’s just the beginning! Dozens more alumni are ready to connect (seriously, we have 42!). Log in with your KNet ID to explore the full list and sign up for your Hornet Huddles.

Find Your Fit with PathwayU

Posted on by Rachel Wood

Ever wish you had a career compass? Something that could get to know you, help you know yourself, and point you toward paths where you’ll thrive? Well…

Kalamazoo College is now offering PathwayU, a brand-new online career assessment that helps you discover your strengths, explore majors and careers that fit you best, and connect to real opportunities. It’s quick, easy, and available to all students right now.

If you’ve used Focus2 in the past, you’ll notice this is a big upgrade. PathwayU uses engaging, science-based assessments to learn about your interests, values, personality, and workplace preferences. From there, it calculates your “fit” with nearly 1,000 different career paths, giving you fresh ideas you might never have considered.

We know that tools like this can sometimes feel like they’re telling you what you have to do. That’s not the goal here. Think of PathwayU as a springboard: a way to gather insights about yourself, explore options you might not have thought about, and start conversations about what’s next. Your results are a launch point rather than a rulebook.

Here’s what you can do with PathwayU:

  • Understand yourself: Discover what makes you unique, learn how to talk about your values, and see where you’re most likely to find purpose.
  • Explore your options: Find majors and career paths that align with your gifts and interests, and see real-world trends that can help guide your decisions.
  • Connect to opportunities: Browse internship listings that match your results and use PathwayU’s tools to prepare for interviews.

Getting started is simple:

  1. Visit kzoo.pathwayu.com
  2. Log in with your KNet ID and password
  3. Take the assessments (most take five minutes or less)
  4. Explore your matches and start mapping your path forward

Your results are a great starting point, but they’re even more valuable when you talk them through. If you want to dig deeper, connect the dots between your strengths and your goals, or plan your next steps, stop by the Career Studio or make an appointment with a career coach in Handshake.

PathwayU is here to help you understand yourself better, explore your options with confidence, and take your next step with purpose. Try it today and see where your path could lead.