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Spring Term Letter from the Director

Posted on by Rachel Wood

Welcome to Spring Term! In the latest installment of my quarterly letter from the director, I wish to share three things with you: hope, insight, and a call to action.

First off, I am hopeful. More hopeful than perhaps I’ve been since the pandemic began. I’m hopeful because a mass vaccination plan is in the works, meaning we are getting close to whatever our collective ‘new normal’ will be. I’m hopeful because businesses are slowly but surely starting to reawaken, redevelop, and reimagine new opportunities. And that translates to plans for more internships, more jobs, more hiring, and an overall recalibration of the world of work.

With that comes my insight: keep forging ahead. The path toward the other side of the pandemic is going to be hard; it might feel harder than when we first started because we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve spoken with many students who feel unsure about how to think about their lives after K, given all that they’ve had to carry over the course of the past year, personally, academically, emotionally, financially – the list goes on and on. I do not profess to assume the extent to which you have struggled: some of you have lost loved ones to Covid, many of you are deeply impacted by xenophobic hatred, and others are experiencing mental health challenges that were exacerbated by the weight of it all. I hear you, I see you, and I empathize with you. But this K community is here for you: you are fortunate to be at a place that cares for you, deeply. As a still new-ish member of this community myself, I can attest to this care and concern. We all believe in you: we want you to thrive, and to succeed.

To succeed, you must not remain complacent – this is my call to action. No matter whether you are a first-year student lamenting the unexpectedness of an entirely virtual first college year, or a graduating senior nervously trying to find their way into a still-uncertain job market in constant flux, please be vigilant. It is never too late to set up an appointment with a Career Coach – they are here to help you figure out answers to questions you’re not even sure you know to ask yet. It is never too late to attend a virtual networking event – we post opportunities all the time in Handshake for you to consider. It is never too late to apply for a part-time or full-time job, or internship – there are close to 10,000 different opportunities available in Handshake right now! It is never too late to do something.

And, to our graduating seniors: please know that the CCPD is working to reach out to each of you. You likely saw an invitation to complete the First-Destination Survey. Your responses will help us connect you with alumni, resources, and opportunities that align with your individual post-K goals. We know that some of you may have landed that dream job or gotten into your top-choice grad school (hooray!!), but for those of you who haven’t, know that you are not alone – and there’s still time! My team and I are planning a Senior Week (during Week 8) devoted to launching your life after K. You’ll soon see more about this weeklong series of events and resource-sharing, tailored specifically to seniors, so please take advantage of all the career-related guidance that’s coming your way!

All in all, I encourage you to hang on a little longer as you think about the future. What can you look forward to? What brings you joy? What items on your to-do list are *somewhat* exciting? If you’ve never thought about including the Career Center (or your advisor, your mentor, your supervisor, or another staff member) in any of these thoughts, maybe now’s the time! As we look to the Spring for rejuvenation, renewal, and expectation, know that my team and I are here to champion you toward your next step.

How can we help?

With continued gratitude, optimism, and encouragement,

Tricia

Chemistry Connections

Posted on by Rachel Wood

I want to share how excited I was to be a part of the planning group for our 4th annual Kalamazoo American Chemical Society (KACS) networking event, co-sponsored by Kalamazoo College and KACS. Over the past several years, we gathered in person in the Hicks Banquet Rooms on campus. Given the enthusiasm of wanting to continue this type of program, we shifted to the virtual format and I am happy to report it was a success!

On January 26th, Dr. Blakely Tresca and Dr. Jeffrey Bartz led this award-winning program virtually using Zoom. Participants met in this virtual space to talk about their shared interests in the chemistry field. Zoom breakout rooms provided one-on-one meeting space for students to ask specific questions based on mentors’ career paths. Industry professionals served as mentors and talked about their professional pursuits.

“I started attending the yearly KACS Speed Networking event as a freshman and it was helpful in making meaningful connections and learning more about what I could do with my chemistry degree. Currently, as a senior, I am planning to attend chemistry graduate school in the fall, and being able to talk to Ph.D. scientists has given me a perspective of what I could do with a Ph.D. I’m thankful for having the opportunity to attend the speed networking events during my time at K and for the impact it has made to my career.” – Subi Thakali, K’21, Chemistry​

“The KACS Speed Networking event was a great experience that helped me develop professional communication skills and provided me with the opportunity to make real connections with mentors throughout many different fields of chemistry. Additionally, the conversations I had with the mentors were fascinating and inspiring… these conversations made lasting connections that could be very helpful in the future.” – Marissa Dolorfino, K’23, Spanish and Chemistry

In between the student/mentor conversations, K Chemistry faculty, Ed Thomas (local American Chemical Society President, and Dr. Tricia Zelaya-Leon (our CCPD Director) made announcements and shared resources. Dr. Ben Maxey also spoke, highlighting Pfizer’s lead in the global development of the COVID vaccine.

Group planning members Dr. Tomasz Respondek (Principal Scientist, Zoetis Inc.) and Dr. Lucas Chadwick, K’95 (Sr. Scientist, Bell’s Brewery), lead outreach efforts.

We are hopeful that these area industry professional mentors and students will continue their conversations, well-beyond this event.

Jacqueline A. Srodes
Assistant Director, Center for Career and Professional Development
Kalamazoo College

Job/Internship Fairs Held Virtually This February

Posted on by Rachel Wood

Save the date for three upcoming Winter job/internship fairs at WMU. K partners with WMU on these events, so students are highly encouraged to attend. Typically these fairs are the largest local recruiting events of the year for college students. This year they will be held virtually due to COVID-19.

  • WMU Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Job Fair 2021 Virtual Event Wednesday, Feb 10, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. https://bit.ly/3bUKDFM
  • WMU Career Fair 2021 Virtual Event Thursday, Feb 11, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. https://bit.ly/2MlkKnV
  • WMU Government and Nonprofit Job Fair 2021 Virtual Event Thursday, Feb 18, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. https://bit.ly/3iKAQn2

Wondering which employers will be there, and/or what they’re looking for in applicants? Check out the links for each— they have all the info you need.

Winter Term Letter from the Director

Posted on by Rachel Wood

Happy New Year, everyone!

Typically, the start of a new year brings with it the excitement of renewal, recalibration, and resolution. Unfortunately, January 1st, 2021 came in with that hope and then, just a few days later, our country saw a violent uprising at our nation’s Capitol. Some were shocked by the events that unfolded, while others saw it as an outcome of years of racial inequity and mounting civil unrest. Now, more than ever, we as a populace, find ourselves uncertain, anxious, and exhausted.

Here at the CCPD, we continue to be here to support you in your pursuits, both personal and professional. If you are like so many college students, you are feeling overwhelmed with academic work, trying to maintain a social life, and feeling the tension between seeing the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel and still not knowing when life might return to some semblance of normal. Oh, and add to that the ongoing search for internships and jobs, preparation for graduate school, all in the midst of an ever-evolving and chaotic job market.

I know it’s a lot. But my biggest piece of advice to you is to PERSEVERE. When we find ourselves in a crisis, it is easy to disengage, to give up, and to do nothing. I implore you to fight that urge. My team and I stand at the ready to meet with you, to listen to you, and to help you create a manageable professional development plan, one that starts small and can be customized to your goals over time. Simply setting up an appointment with us (via Handshake) or popping into our drop-in hours (via Microsoft Teams) can help you feel like you’re making some progress toward your goals.

The CCPD’s mission is “to educate and empower Kalamazoo College students and alumni to discover their talents, build their professional networks, and apply their learning to meaningful lives after K.” This process of discovery, building, and application is just that: a process. It takes time and it takes work. But, with one-on-one, personalized support from the CCPD team, know that we care about you and your goals. We exist to guide you along this journey!

This Winter Term, renew your excitement for being a student at K. Recalibrate your goals. And resolve to not give up, no matter how overwhelming things get. The Center for Career & Professional Development is your destination for career resources, supportive Career Coaches, and most importantly, hope. Let us move forward with you.

In solidarity,

Dr. Z

Virtual CCPD

Posted on by Rachel Wood

We have moved to a virtual format due to the spread of COVID-19. CCPD Virtual Office Hours on MS Teams: (Fall Weeks 1-10) Monday through Thursday: 2-3 PM EST. Tuesday evenings 7-8 PM, EST. Our office will be closed for in-person appointments in order to practice social distancing. Our staff will continue to make virtual student and alumni appointments using Handshake.

Virtual career fairs and events will take place throughout the term. For additional help, please contact career@kzoo.edu. 

A message from the CCPD during uncertain times.

Posted on by Rachel Wood

Good morning,

I’m writing to you this morning from my basement bunker, hiding from my small children. I want you to know that the CCPD is not going anywhere. We are here for you, just as we’ve always been. And we have more digital content we’re developing each day.

But more important than any checklist or Zoom call or resume review, we want to ask you to be gentle with yourselves, and give each other grace. This is an overwhelming time for all of us, and so many questions remain, including what kind of an impact this is going to have on the workforce. Sometimes you are going to have bursts of energy and get in your flow, working really hard. Sometimes you’ll feel like I did yesterday, a little worn out, lost, and distracted. Some of you are trying to study at home surrounded by younger siblings. Some of us are working at home with kids that can’t go to school either. Some of you are in a place that feels too quiet right now and you long for human connection. Some are worried about things much bigger than “career”, and others want to get down to business immediately. You may waver in and out through these states. Whatever your reality, we hope you’ll honor it.

Do what you can, when you can, with what you have. We are here to support you through this next chapter. Know that you and your thoughts/ideas are valued and appreciated as we navigate this process together.

We are working on new ways to serve you during these times— stay tuned for those updates as they come. For now, know that career coaching appointments are available via Handshake, and we look forward to talking with you soon. Follow us on Instagram @kzooccpd and Facebook for daily motivation, tips, to-do’s, and more as we work together to Design Your New Normal.

Warmly,
Rachel (on behalf of the CCPD)