Homecoming is almost here, and we’re looking forward to two receptions on Friday, October 3 that bring together students, alumni, faculty, and staff. These gatherings are all about conversation, community, and celebrating what it means to be part of K.
At both events, you’ll find people sharing stories about their time at K, talking about career paths, and making connections that can reach far beyond campus. Hors d’oeuvres will be served, and guests 21 and older can enjoy beer or wine with a valid ID.
If you’re new to networking, don’t worry. You won’t be on your own. CCPD staff as well as your peers working as Career Advisors will be there to make it a comfortable and welcoming space.
Homecoming Connection Reception
An informal networking gathering with alumni, faculty, and staff. A chance to listen, ask questions, and hear about the many directions a K degree can take you. Guests 21 and older can enjoy beer or wine with a valid ID. All students and alumni are invited to attend.
Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
Time: 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Location: Hicks Banquet Room
Alumni of Color Reception
A space to meet and connect with current students and alumni of color. Guests 21 and older can enjoy beer or wine with a valid ID. All students and alumni are invited to attend.
Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
Time: 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Location: Intercultural Center
Both receptions are open to all and are a great way to reconnect or make new connections. RSVPs are encouraged so we can plan food accordingly.
Week 3 is all about resumes in the Career Studio! We are celebrating the art of writing a strong resume with the help of the CCPD’s tools, including our brand new Resume Modules in the Career Connection Toolkit.
The Toolkit is built to support your professional growth with modules you can complete at your own pace in Moodle. For resumes, you can choose between two paths:
Basic Resume Learn how to format a resume, highlight transferable skills, and walk away with a polished, college-level document.
Advanced Resume Go deeper into tailoring your resume for specific opportunities and end with a targeted, advanced draft.
Stop by the Studio during Resume Week for extra help from our Career Advisors. We will also have snacks waiting for you while you work!
The Career Studio is back and is looking forward to seeing you this fall term. Starting today, drop by with your “Life After K” questions. No appointment necessary!
Students tell us the Studio is “such a nice, friendly place” where they’ve “gotten so much out of” and “had all of their questions answered, plus questions they didn’t even know they had.” If you need a quick review of your resume, internship search guidance, or to practice for an upcoming interview, our Career Advisors are here to serve you.
The Studio is open in Dewing 102:
Monday–Friday, 11 am–2 pm
Wednesday and Thursday evenings, 5–7 pm
Sunday afternoons, 2–4 pm
We are open during Weeks 2 through 10 of the term and closed on College holidays and break days. Visit as often as you like. Even a short stop can give you new ideas and helpful next steps.
Kalamazoo College doesn’t just prepare students for the job market: we prepare them for a world in motion. In an era of rapid change and rising skepticism about higher education, students and families want more than promises. They want to see how a liberal arts education leads to real opportunity, meaningful work, and lifelong adaptability. They expect colleges to connect learning with life after graduation.
“The value in these original iterations was not in making something good… but rather in that I took a step away from doing nothing and a step towards doing something.” — Thomas Bentley ’25
Thomas Bentley ’25 did not get his position with the Minnesota Twins by getting it right the first time. Actually, he discusses how a number of his initial baseball analytics projects were cumbersome, inefficient, and downright bad. But they were the building blocks.
In his blog post, The First Step and 3 Bad Ideas, Thomas reflects on the power of acting before you’re ready. If it was a messy spreadsheet, a failed Twitter thread, or a poorly wighted model for pitching, every failure served to instruct him… and move forward.
If you’ve ever delayed starting something because you weren’t “good enough yet,” this is your reminder to try anyway.
If you’ve submitted for a job, waited a few weeks and not heard anything, or even gotten through a round or two of interviews and then simply never heard back again, you’re not on your own. And, you might have been a victim of a ghost job. A ghost job is a job posting that’s advertised with no plan to hire. According to a survey from ResumeBuilder, as many as 40% of businesses admit to posting fake listings in the past year, and nearly 30% have one or more active ghost jobs. And the reasons why? Anything from trying to appear as if they’re growing, to gathering salary data, to meeting internal compliance requirements.
Why Ghost Jobs Exist • Illusion of Growth: Companies must seem like they’re expanding to attract investors or appease clients. • Compliance Checkbox: Some jobs are already internally filled, but rules require that they be posted anyway. • Market Research: Sometimes companies use postings to gauge salary demands or candidate quality. • Staying Visible: Posting often can enhance a company’s ranking on job boards.
Red Flags to Watch Out For • It’s Been Posted Forever: If the job has been up for months with no changes or reposts without changes, be wary. • It’s Vague: Boilerplate text, no discernible responsibilities, and recycled buzzwords can be an indication it’s not a real listing. • It’s Everywhere… Except the Company’s Website: Actual jobs are usually posted on the company’s own careers page. If it’s only on job boards, it might be a ghost.
What You Can Do • Take a Quick Deep Dive: Check Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or forums for hiring trends and employee reviews. • Reach Out: Use your network or LinkedIn to contact people in the company. Ask if the job is actually open. • Target Active Recruiters: Look for those active and responsive—ghost jobs are typically followed by ghost recruiters.
You’re Not Alone in the Fight
Our partner Handshake is actively working to combat ghost jobs and improve the overall job search experience for students. They’re addressing the issue by gathering data on the number of postings vs number of hires per company, requiring companies to disclose how soon they are looking to fill a position, and by closing job postings that have been open for extended periods and show no sign of being filled. While it isn’t a perfect system, they are highly aware of the problem and are taking strong actions to combat it!
Final Thought Job searching is hard enough without chasing after listings that were never valid to begin with. Taking a little time to research ahead of time can save both time and energy—and enable you to focus on opportunities that are actually within reach.
Instead of a typical spring break, ten first-generation students from Kalamazoo College packed their bags for New York City as part of the K to NYC Trek, led by CCPD Assistant Director Alejandro Alaniz. Over five days, students shadowed alumni in workplaces ranging from finance and nonprofit work to media and theater. The goal? To give them a real-world glimpse into different careers while connecting with alumni who’ve walked a similar path.
“Meeting alumni who shared my background and had taken nontraditional paths reminded me that my journey doesn’t need to be linear,” said Jay Hernandez ’28. “There are so many ways to be successful, and I feel more confident now that I’ll find a path that works for me.”
For Anahi Barajas ’26, the experience led to a surprising shift in perspective. “Talking with Camila Trefftz ’17 made me realize I want to shift my focus from business to nonprofit work,” she said after shadowing at the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. “Her advice helped me see new possibilities for my future.”
Throughout the week, students moved from job shadows to small group coffee chats with alumni working in policy, diversity and inclusion, and community development. “I used to think networking was about being polished and perfect,” said Sarah Guerrero Gorostieta ’28. “But during this trip, I learned that being genuinely curious and asking honest questions can be just as powerful.”
For Ash Rodriguez ’27, the experience was a reminder to dream big. “This experience showed me that being first-gen doesn’t mean I have to play small. I’ve learned that I belong in professional spaces, and I want to take up space.”
The range of career paths showcased on the Trek emphasized that success can look different for everyone, a takeaway that resonated with Jason Morales ’27. “I didn’t know what to expect going into this, but I left with real connections and a better understanding of what I want,” he said. “Now I know that soft skills, and showing up authentically, can be just as important as technical knowledge.”
The Trek also highlighted how career paths don’t always unfold in a straight line. “Shadowing my alum taught me that career paths can be unpredictable, but that’s okay,” said Liuba Silva ’27. “I don’t need to have it all figured out right now. I just need to stay open and keep building relationships.”
By the end of the week, students left New York City with fresh insights, new connections, and a better sense of what might come next. “Our alumni opened their networks, their stories, and their time. That’s what made this Trek so impactful,” said Alaniz, who expressed gratitude for the job shadow hosts, including Amanda Johnson ’17 (Director, Waterfall Asset Management LLC), Kirsten Cieslar ‘04 (Executive Director, FreeWheel), Maya Banks ’21 (Field Trip Coordinator, The New York Public Library), Kate Kreiss ‘19 (Director of Auxiliary Programming, The Churchill School and Center), Kriti Singh ‘17 (Associate, RMI), Tom Beck ‘07 (CRM Platform Manager, AILEY), Carrie Heitman ‘98 (Producing Artist Director, Hook & Eye Theater Company), and Katherine Wegert ‘06 (Corporate Credit Research, Franklin Templeton).
Reflecting on the week, Alaniz said, “The students stepped up, asked great questions, and really leaned into the experience. It’s clear that the connections they made—and the stories they heard—will stick with them as they continue to explore what’s possible after K. I’m already thinking about what’s next; more opportunities for career exploration, more spaces for first-gen students to thrive, and more stories of transformation.”
On Thursday, May 1, 2025, students had the chance to explore life and work beyond U.S. borders through the virtual event What’s it like to Work Abroad?
Co-sponsored by the German Studies Department and the Center for Career and Professional Development, the event featured three Kalamazoo College alumni currently living and working in Europe:
Emily Jeitler ’09 – Head of Program Support, HIAS (nonprofit sector)
Isaac Kaczor ’21 – Performance Marketing Manager/Analyst, Holidu (tech/IT)
Jane Vondrashek ’11 – Teamleitung Controller, Klinikum Nürnberg (healthcare)
Dr. Kathryn Sederberg of the German Department moderated the hour-long conversation, which covered everything from navigating international job markets to adapting to different workplace cultures… and the unexpected joys and challenges of building a life abroad. Here are some insights shared by the panelists:
“It’s very courageous and difficult to start a life in a different country, different language, different culture. So it’s tough. You have to be quite resilient… Getting your foot in the door, maybe starting small, but you get your experiences, you get your connections, and then you kind of, you know, head up the ladder.– Jane
“I think the biggest difference between German and US culture is in the US, even if you have vacation days and sick days, there’s sometimes an expectation that you don’t fully use that… Here in Germany, there’s an expectation that you do use all of your holidays and that when you’re outside of working hours, you are outside of working hours.” – Isaac
If you’re serious about working abroad, be very clear about what you qualify for in terms of residency and work permits. I get frustrated when people don’t know what visa they qualify for, it shows me they aren’t prepared, and it’s a red flag for what they might be like as an employee. – Emily
Whether you’re dreaming of working in Berlin or just curious about post-grad life outside the U.S., this conversation is full of insight and inspiration! Missed the event? You can watch the full recording on our YouTube channel.
On Friday, April 25, the Kalamazoo College Senior Reception with Alumni brought together more than 60 students and nearly all members of the Alumni Association Engagement Board (AAEB) for connection, celebration, and reflection.
Held in the Light Fine Arts Lobby, this annual event offers graduating seniors a chance to engage in meaningful, informal conversations with alumni who span industries and decades but all share a common commitment to supporting future K grads.
Board member Milo R. Madole ’12 captured the spirit of the event well:
“The AAEB had a phenomenal time getting to chat with this year’s graduating class. The student attendees were highly engaging, accomplished, and well-rounded. Already, I know of a number of meaningful connections that arose from the event, and I am excited to hear what comes out of those connections in the years to come!”
The event included remarks from Michelle Fanroy ’88, whose words reminded attendees of the power of community, resilience, and the importance of staying connected— to each other and to Kalamazoo College.
Board member Jason Wright ’02 said “I thought the event was fantastic. As in years past, I always enjoy meeting the seniors as they embark on the next exciting adventure. I met one student debating whether to attend law school, and he then reached out and we had a zoom call to discuss law school and a legal career. I encourage all K students to reach out to alumni for advice and help in that same manner!”
The Center for Career and Professional Development extends our thanks to the AAEB, the Office of Alumni Engagement, all who attended to make this event a success.
Students who would like to follow up with alumni they met at the event can find AAEB bios and contact information here.
Each year, the CCPD collects information from graduating seniors through the First Destination Survey (FDS). The FDS is a brief questionnaire that captures what’s next for you after Kalamazoo College. Whether you’re heading into a job, graduate school, service program, or still exploring your options, your response matters.
Why take it? Because this survey isn’t just about numbers. It is about you. Your input helps future students see what’s possible after graduation. It allows us to create tools like our Life After K dashboard, where current students can explore where alumni have landed by major, industry, and more. By taking a few minutes to complete the survey, you’re giving back valuable insight that can guide others navigating their own career paths.
Stop by our First Destination Survey celebration! Seniors who complete the survey will receive a free Kalamazoo College tote and a root beer float as a thank-you for sharing your plans and helping us celebrate this milestone.
Completing the survey is also part of your graduation checklist. Knock it out early and enjoy your float with peace of mind.
Your next step matters, and so does sharing it. Thank you for helping us shape the story of Life After K!
