We appreciate your interest in connecting with Kalamazoo College students. One career conversation can change a student’s life. A thoughtful discussion can inspire new ideas, clarify their direction, or boost their confidence. This guide offers practical advice on preparing for and conducting a productive career conversation. By sharing your career story and insights, you help shape the next generation of Hornets.
Who are these students? Who is my student?
Students sign up for career chats because they want to learn about your profession, company, or career path. They might be at different stages in their education. Some are just beginning to think about their majors, while others may be considering graduate school or their first jobs. They may have found you through LinkedIn, KConnect, or a referral from a faculty or staff member. They may or may not have had the chance to read about you online before your conversation.
What do I do during a career conversation?
- Share Your Career Story – Talk about your journey since Kalamazoo College, including key events, challenges, and lessons learned. Students especially appreciate hearing how your liberal arts education helped your career.
- Explain Your Job and Your Employer/Industry – Describe what you do, what a typical day or week looks like, and what your workplace’s purpose and culture are.
- Offer Realistic Advice – Be honest about the tough aspects of your job, but also share some positives. Students value straightforwardness when discussing challenges, industry trends, and useful skills.
- Encourage Questions – Allow your student to ask about anything, like choosing a major, pursuing internships, or balancing work and life. If you and your student share a marginalized identity or background, they may want to discuss that. If you are open to it, sharing how you navigated your path can be meaningful and affirming for them.
- Give Practical Tips – Suggest tools, resources, skills, or actions they can take. If possible, help them set up meetings with colleagues or alumni, or encourage them to join professional organizations to explore more opportunities.
How do I help my student prepare?
- Confirm Logistics – Decide how you will connect, whether through Zoom, phone, or in person. Confirm the time and share any important details.
- Set the Tone – Let your student know what to expect. What is the duration of your conversation? Students usually request around 20 minutes. Make it clear that this will be informal and exploratory.
- Encourage Curiosity – Students will come with questions, but you can also suggest topics they might want to explore, such as your career path, key skills, or graduate school.
Sample Conversation Flow
- Welcome: Introduce yourself, invite the student to share their background and interests. If they start right in with questions, that is great! If not…
- Your Story: Share your career journey, including education, first roles, and how you arrived at your current position.
- Your Role/Industry: Describe your current work and give insights into the field.
- Student Questions: Open the floor for their specific interests or concerns.
- Wrap-Up: Offer advice, resources, and encouragement. Share your contact info if you’re comfortable with follow-up.
Other Ideas
- Conduct a mock interview question or review a student’s elevator pitch.
- Share your resume or portfolio and walk through how you built your experiences.
- Discuss professional associations, graduate programs, or entry-level opportunities in your field.
- Tell one “real-world” story about what surprised you most when starting out.