“I have been working as a Career Advisor since the beginning of my Senior year, and I honestly wish I would have had more time in the Career Studio. As a Psychology student, I am passionate about helping people achieve their goals and become the version of themselves that they want to be. It has been extremely rewarding working with students on a one-on-one basis, getting to know them, and building a foundation toward their professional success together. My role here has offered me a wonderful opportunity to work on interpersonal skills needed in my field of choice – counseling. 

The environment created by my fellow CAs and the professional staff is a very supportive and inspiring one, as I am learning a lot from them, and getting to have many encouraging conversations about my own future after graduation. Even when things feel uncertain, it is great to have people to turn to for advice, which is exactly why the CCPD is such an important resource to have on campus. 

I am forever grateful for everything I have learned throughout my time as a CA, and I encourage students to stop by or even consider becoming part of the team!” 

-Bernice Mike ’26

“I got introduced to the CCPD through Alejandro Alaniz, when he took people to the USHIL conference. After the conference I found myself inspired and wanting to work at the CCPD. At the time I didn’t really know what the CCPD was, but I went into the Career Studio and got help with my cover letter. Getting help with my cover letter was super nerve wracking because I had never made one and didn’t know what I was supposed to do. Alex Nam helped me and was great at explaining things so that I could walk away less nervous and one step closer to working at the CCPD. 

Through my time working as a Career Advisor, I have really enjoyed helping people with resumes, cover letters, CV’s, looking for jobs. The most rewarding thing is when the students come back to the Career Studio with some progress on what they have been working on to keep getting help. I really enjoyed helping people working as a CA because not only do we learn how to help students with career related things, but you are also able to improve your own resume.” 

-Anahi Barajas ’26

If this sounds like something you’d want to be part of, consider applying to be a Career Advisor. You’ll build practical skills, support other students, and gain experience that sticks with you. Applications are open now and are due April 25.

Wednesday, April 15, 2026
3:00–5:00 PM
Dewing Commons

The Kalamazoo College Graduate School Fair is a simple way to explore what graduate school could look like without committing to anything. This event is open to all K students and recent alumni.

Attend if:

• You’re curious about what careers might require (or benefit from) graduate school
• You want to explore programs you haven’t considered before
• You have a specific field in mind and want details on next steps

You can:

• Browse a range of graduate programs
• Ask what makes a strong applicant
• Get a clearer sense of timelines, requirements, and options
• Stay for 10 minutes or the full two hours

At the tables:

• Introduce yourself
• Make eye contact
• Ask a few questions and listen closely

If you’re not sure what to ask, start simple:

• “What kinds of students thrive in your program?”
• “What do most applicants wish they had done earlier?”

If grad school is even a “maybe,” this is a low-pressure way to get more clarity. Bring your student ID for quick check-in.

Over the last several years, the CCPD has built a strong partnership with the men’s football program, thanks in large part to the leadership and support of then Head Football Coach Jamie Zorbo. During that time, we collaborated on a range of workshops, everything from resume writing to job and internship searching, networking, and more. Since Coach Zorbo’s transition into the role of Athletics Director, that partnership has only continued to grow. 

This fall, the CCPD expanded our work with Athletics by launching a new workshop series called “The Athlete Advantage.” These sessions had two simple goals: to help student-athletes see the career value of skills they build every day in their sport (discipline, teamwork, resilience, leadership) and teach them how to communicate those strengths clearly on a resume. During the sessions, the athletes viewed a presentation explaining the link between their athletic skills and career readiness skills, then were given the opportunity to apply what they just learned by completing the new Basic Resume Module in our Career Connection Toolkit and practice translating their athletic experience into employer-ready language.  

Athletic skills are career readiness skills 

In 2014, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) conducted a large national study across industries and employer types to identify the most important career readiness competencies for early-career professionals. The result was a framework of eight competencies: career and self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology. 

These competencies map closely to the skills athletes develop over years of practices, competitions, and team leadership roles. Discipline and resilience align with professionalism. Teamwork and leadership match two of the competencies outright. And qualities like adaptability, time management, and the ability to perform under pressure appear across multiple competency areas. 

Simply put: the skills that make strong athletes are the same skills employers are actively seeking. Our goal is to help students recognize that connection and feel confident about naming and demonstrating those strengths. 

Progress so far and where we’re headed 

This fall, the CCPD led three Athlete Advantage workshops, reaching 234 student-athletes across multiple teams. Our goal is to reach every student-athlete by the end of this academic year. 

Looking ahead, we will continue offering these workshops to incoming first-year athletes and expanding the resources available to teams and coaches. The focus remains the same: helping students understand the real-world value of their athletic experience and teaching them how to showcase those skills effectively on their resumes and in conversations with employers.