Career Education Courses

Internships provide opportunities for students to work in a for profit company, a government office or agency, a non-profit organization, or even within an on-campus program. Internships for credit require that students set learning objectives that are related to vocational discernment. In addition to the work of the internship itself, students will complete assignments and reflections that help them identify the relative fit of the internship to their professional self and goals, as well as the transferable job skills they’re gaining.

This course is designed to help students craft a strategic job search that aligns with their values, skills, strengths, interests, and career goals culminating in a Career Action Plan. Students will gain practical experience by developing self-knowledge and connect the transferable skills they obtained through their liberal arts education in order to research careers of interest. They will learn to use online research tools, find professionals to network with, operationalize a job search, and craft tailored job search materials.

This interactive and introspective career course is designed for students in their second year at Willamette. At a critical moment of their college careers, students will take actionable steps towards exploring and pursuing career goals. Activities and content include:

• Opportunities to connect with, and learn from, alumni and industry representatives.
• Tips for engaging in effective networking practices and a chance to flex these skills at a Networking Dinner & Panel.
• Opportunity to complete valuable career assessments to aid in intentional career exploration and research.
• Tools to explore the connection between majors and careers, including linear and nonlinear pathways.

In the first semester of this two-semester series, students will articulate their professional goals and aspirations. Through assessment and an exploration of their strengths, they will identify how and where to focus their search for internships. They will create application materials, as well develop the core skills involved in effective networking. In the second semester, students will apply concepts and skills developed in the first semester, and begin engaging in active networking and researching organizations of interest. Students will practice skills for both traditional and technical interviewing, learn negotiating techniques, and take the final organizational steps towards launching a job or internship search.