collaboration – Center for Career and Professional Development

K in the Zoo Launches Winter Break Day Pilot

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Rachel Wood

Last week, the Center for Career and Professional Development kicked off a new pilot, K in the Zoo: Winter Break Day. Kalamazoo College students spent a day job shadowing local worksites, marking the expansion of the larger K in the Zoo job shadow initiative, which makes it easier for students to explore different career options through short, local experiences focused on observation and connection. Students spent the day learning directly from professionals about career paths, daily responsibilities, workplace culture, and the decisions that shape early careers.

Each student was matched with a host based on their interests. Because the group was small, hosts could share openly and students had plenty of time to ask questions. Many students said that seeing workplaces up close made career paths feel clearer and next steps less overwhelming. They also learned that careers don’t always follow a straight line, and that skills from a liberal arts education can be useful in any field.

One student reflected: “I gained a deeper appreciation for the company’s positive, inclusive, and collaborative culture, as well as its commitment to community impact and continuous professional development. Seeing how strongly the company’s core values align with my own has made me even more enthusiastic about the possibility of joining in the future.”

Zarifa and Jayden with Ian — Zarifa Ibrahimzada ’26 and Jayden Costa ’29shadowed Ian Geiman ’14 – Senior Lead UX Designer at Re:Build Tekna

JJ with Chad — Zarifa Ibrahimzada ’26 and Jayden Costa ’29shadowed Ian Geiman ’14 – Senior Lead UX Designer at Re:Build Tekna

Building a Local Career Ecosystem

K in the Zoo strengthens connections between Kalamazoo College students and the local professional community. By creating structured, manageable opportunities for engagement, the program supports:

Early career exploration
Alumni and employer partnership
Confidence in professional communication
Increased access to experiential learning

Hosts described the experience as meaningful on their end as well:

Blake MacDonald ’08, Director of Strategic Sales at Stryker, shared: “A K alum helped me land my first job, so this is a small way for me to pay it forward to the next generation of future K grads.”

Meg Brake, Recruiting Manager at Greenleaf Hospitality Group, said: “I loved just seeing the students’ delight as they learn more about other areas of the business. We aren’t just a hotel!”

Devin Norman ’93, Dentist and Owner at Norman Family Dentistry, noted: “It was a lot of fun to recall what it was like to investigate different career opportunities. Students today are definitely more aware and more prepared to act on those opportunities.”

Chad Goodwill ’92 – Vice President, Business Banking at 1st Source Bank, said: ” It was a great day for both of us. I encourage you all to get plugged in to the program. It is a tremendous resource right in our back yard.”

Looking Ahead

K in the Zoo continues over Spring Break with additional host sites and shadowing opportunities. Students interested in participating in the Spring Break cycle may apply through Friday, February 27. Alumni and employer partners interested in hosting students in future cycles are encouraged to contact Rachel Wood at rwood@kzoo.edu.

Students Lead Civic Government Panel on Careers in Public Service

Posted on October 27, 2025October 27, 2025 by Valerie Miller

Moderator, other panelists, and student attendees listening to panelist, Christina Anderson '98.

Political Science DSA Hollis Masterson ’26 and student leader Libby McFarlen ’26 partnered with Dr. Justin Berry, the Center for Civic Engagement, KVotes and the CCPD to host a dynamic conversation on civic careers last Tuesday with three Kalamazoo city leaders who also have strong ties to the K community.

The panel featured Vice Mayor Jeanne Hess, Chief Operating Officer Laura Lam ’99, and City Planner and Deputy Director of Community Planning and Economic Development Christina Anderson ’98. Each shared personal stories and insights about discovering purpose through public service.

Masterson, who moderated the discussion, asked how each panelist found their way into city government. Anderson described starting as a volunteer on the zoning board before joining the City of Kalamazoo staff. Lam applied for a role with the City, hoping to return to her hometown and contribute to its growth. Hess spoke about her deep ties to Kalamazoo and how the former mayor encouraged her to run for City Commission after retiring from teaching and coaching at K.

As the discussion shifted to building skills and managing challenging work environments, the panelists offered advice rooted in lived experience. “Even a bad internship or job gets you closer to what you want,” Anderson told students. She went on to add that “any job has a learning curve… you need to be in it long enough to see if it’s going to work for you.” Hess added, “I always said as a coach, ‘you either win or you learn.’”

When asked what cities look for in candidates, the panelists emphasized the mindsets and habits that define effective public service. They spoke about listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and engaging with community members in ways that build trust. Strong civic leaders, they noted, show up, collaborate well, follow through, and stay grounded in purpose. As Lam put it, “If you go into government, you need to be crystal clear about your ‘why.’”

The event captured the best of K’s collaborative spirit. Students, alumni, faculty, and community partners came together to explore how liberal arts learning can lead to real-world impact. By organizing and leading the panel, Masterson and McFarlen created space for real conversation and connection, encouraging students to imagine careers in public service, or, if not, how to stay involved through continued civic engagement. As Anderson noted, “Wherever you go, you are a member of that community. And it is your duty to be an active member of your community…to bring your light to that space.”

Curious About Working Abroad? These K Alumni Are Living It!

Posted on May 9, 2025May 9, 2025 by Rachel Wood

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.

Linguistic Skills in Professional Communications

Posted on May 7, 2024May 7, 2024 by Rachel Wood

In a remarkable collaboration this fall, K’s Spanish Department partnered with the CCPD on a specialized assignment for Senior Seminar Students. Career Coach Alejandro Alaniz ’18 hosted students for one-on-one mock interview sessions conducted exclusively in Spanish. Engaging in professional conversations and interviews in Spanish not only bolstered their language skills but also instilled confidence in their ability to navigate real-world scenarios; a valuable skill in today’s interconnected global landscape. Students received personalized feedback and guidance on their performance, contributing to their overall career readiness. We thank the Spanish Department, especially Dr. Ivett Lopez-Malagamba, for their partnership.