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.
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 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!
“Working with resumes and job hunting wasn’t a new endeavor to me when I got to college, seeing as I stepped on campus already having gotten an on-campus job but I saw the whole process as rather tedious and yet anxiety inducing. Then, when preparing to apply for the Career Advisory (CA) position, I entered the CCPD and was greeted with an open and playful community, entirely different from what I had experienced prior. I’m still grateful for how the CA who supported me that day (and in the months following my employment as a co-CA) for how their interaction shifted my perspective on the professional world.
When I interviewed and started, I was nervous, thinking I couldn’t possibly be personable enough to help mold and prepare someone for pursuing or planning their future. After observing other CAs though, I soon found an easy groove to teasing out what people felt most proud of; what they could easily speak to as a part of their skill set. I soon realized that, learning all the platforms, tools, and tasks of the job (Handshake, VMock, LinkedIn, etc.) only made be better able to understand and make the world of professionalism more digestible and accessible for myself and others. I ended up finding joy in approaching, understandings, and rephrasing new activities in words that’d made students laugh once they were in the studio, giving them the same relief and support that I got when I first stepped into the studio.” – Leslie Santos ’25
Applications are open now for next year’s Career Advisor position. They are due April 25. Have questions? Please reach out to career@kzoo.edu!
Curious about how to turn your love of sports into a real career? Whether you’re dreaming of working behind the scenes at major league stadiums or managing sports events on a national scale, our upcoming alumni panel is your chance to hear how K grads made it happen—and how you can too. The Alumni Association Engagement Board (AAEB) and the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) are teaming up to host a panel of Hornet alumni currently working across the sports industry—from sales and private events to strategy and project management. Join us for:
Game Plan: K Alumni in the Sports Industry Thursday, April 10, 2025 7:30 – 9:00 PM Hicks Banquet Room Insomnia Cookies provided! Register by April 9 to guarantee your cookie.
Meet the Panelists:
Amanda Moss, K’19 – Head of International Strategy, Detroit Lions
John Kunec, K’20 – Team Lead, Premium Sales, Detroit Lions
Charlie DesJardin, K’20 – Account Executive, Member Services, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment
Sam Hughes, K’24 – Inside Sales Representative, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment
Jackson Jones, K’21 – Project Manager, Salem Sports Events
Moderated by Evan Bontrager, K’11, member of the AAEB
These alumni will share how they broke into a competitive industry, the unexpected skills that help them succeed, and what they wish they’d known in college. You’ll also have time to ask your own questions and make connections with alumni eager to support fellow Hornets.
This event is ideal for all students—you don’t need to study business or be an athlete to be part of the action. If you’ve ever wondered how to land a career in pro sports, this is your chance to get the inside scoop.
👉 Register here by April 9 to claim your cookie and your seat!
It’s a common myth: choose the “right” major, and your dream career will naturally follow. But the truth? Your major is just one part of your career story. Many successful professionals work in fields that are so-called “unrelated” to their undergraduate degrees.
What really matters? Transferable skills. The critical thinking you develop in a philosophy major? Great for business strategy. The research skills from a history major? Perfect for marketing. The communication skills from an English major? Valuable in every profession. The learning outcomes of a Kalamazoo College education? Exactly what NACE says employers are looking for!
A study by the Association of American Colleges and Universities found that employers prioritize skills over majors:
“Employers say they place the greatest value on demonstrated proficiency in skills that cut across all majors—such as written and oral communication, teamwork, ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world settings. In fact, most employers say these cross-cutting skills are more important to an individual’s success than their undergraduate major.”
— Falling Short? College Learning and Career Readiness, AACU, 2015
Of course, some careers require specific degrees (medicine, engineering, etc.), but for most fields, your major is just one piece of the puzzle. What truly sets you apart is the skills you’ve built both in and out of the classroom–in short, experience. Class group projects, individual research papers, athletics, internships, campus leadership, and networking all help shape your career path—and that path isn’t a straight line (which is a good thing!).
So, as we reflect after Declaration of Major Day, remember that your major doesn’t define your destiny. Explore your next steps:
If/when you check out the What Can I Do With This Major? resource to discover career possibilities, remember, it’s NOT an exhaustive list, but just a possible place to start.
Take a career assessment to better understand your values, interests, and strengths.
