Career and Professional Development

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Peace Corps Information Session
Have you considered serving in the Peace Corps after graduation? Come learn information concerning the application and selection process, then hear from returned Peace Corps volunteers, Lucas Olson '06, and Alison Geist, Director, MJU Stryker Institute for Service Learning, about their experiences and ask them your questions. There are 8,655 Peace Corps volunteers currently serving throughout the world in communities that have requested assistance with social, economic, and human development projects. To date, over 200,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in over 139 countries. Come learn more about this exciting opportunity.
Banquet Room West, Hicks Center

11:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. - West Michigan - Japan Economic Relations
Talk given by Mr. Kuninori Matsuda, Consul General of Japan in Detroit. This event is organized by the Japanese Department of Kalamazoo College
Recital Hall

12:30 - 2:00 p.m. - Passions to Professions: Guilds Networking Lunch
This casual lunchtime gathering offers the chance for Guild members to connect with each other. Free and open to the public. No RSVP necessary.
Banquet Room East, Hicks Center

Passions to Professions Speakers Include:

Heather Haines '03, Principal, Perspectives Leadership Academy
Tim McNinch '99, Pastor, Vineyard Church of Kalamazoo
Michael Ortega '78, Attorney, Lewis, Reed & Allen P.C.
Doug Van Tress '84  - President , The Golden Triangle (Cancelled)

2:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Recruiting Cafe
Interested in learning more about job and graduate school opportunities currently available?  Relax over coffee and speak with real-world professionals, including alumni graduate school and employer representatives. Representatives from the following organizations will be in attendance: Aflac (cancelled), Communities in Schools of Kalamazoo,  The Moore School of Business - University of South Carolina, Pasona, Prudential, Washington National Insurance Company
Hicks 110

4:00 - 5:00 p.m. – Foreign Service Careers
Senior Foreign Service Officer and current Diplomat-in-Residence at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, James Ellickson-Brown, will speak about career options with the U.S State Department.
Hicks 111A&B

4:00 - 5:00 p.m. - A Conversation for International Students on Working in the US
Amy Auer, Assistant Director of the CCPD and Angela Gross, Assistant Director of the CIP, will be available in this informal setting to answer questions from international students on working in the U.S. (or abroad) for summer opportunities, or post-graduation employment. Questions on student visa regulations and employment are welcomed. Please bring your most pressing work related question.
Hicks 110

5:00 - 6:30 p.m.  - “At Work in the World” Networking Reception
Please join students, local professionals, faculty and staff at an informal networking gathering. Come prepared to share the story of your own career path, listen and learn from others’ work experiences, and explore professional possibilities both local and global. New this year, speak with selected Economics and Business seniors and view posters that highlight research findings from their SIPS. To view a list of student poster presenters and their SIP titles click here. This is a great opportunity to network and make professional connections.  Sponsored by the Guilds of Kalamazoo College. Students, Faculty/Staff and Professionals please RSVP by clicking here. To view a list of attendees click here. Kindly RSVP by Friday, April 6th.
Dewing Commons, First Floor Dewing Hall

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.  -  Careers in Higher Education Administration
This panel will feature alumni professionals in various leadership roles in higher education.  From academic dean to college coach, student affairs to university administration, well-placed "K" grads are doing meaningful work in colleges and universities across the nation.  Panelists will discuss their K-Plans and career paths, and will answer questions about how to prepare for this type of work.
Olmsted Room, Mandelle Hall 

Speakers Include:
Bess German '94, Director, Admissions & Student Affairs, Honors College at Michigan State University
Christine Lomer LaCola '92, Assistant Dean & Director of the Graduate Division, The Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina
Carl Lawrence, Career Development Specialist for the College of Aviation, and College of Health and Human Services, Western Michigan University 
Dr. Dafina Lazarus Stewart '95, Associate Professor, Higher Education & Student Affairs/EDHD, Bowling Green State University
(moderator) Sarah Westfall, Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students, Kalamazoo College
Jamie Zorbo '00, Head Football Coach, Kalamazoo College 

 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. - Working the Foreclosure Crisis
This panel will discuss how the housing bubble led to the recent financial crisis.  With discussions from the panelists, various career paths will be explored to illustrate how these jobs were created to address issues that arise from the financial crisis. Speakers will discuss lending and risk topics along with insights from past experience relating to Wall Street during the time of the financial crisis.
Dewing 305

Speakers Include:
James O'Brien, Retail Risk Specialist, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Jason W. Johnson '90, Director of Mediation, Fannie Mae, Foreclosure Prevention and Outreach
Matt Lager '92, Executive Director, Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.
(moderator) Hannah McKinney,  Professor, Kalamazoo College
Hannah Robey, Foreclosure Counselor, Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (Albion class of 2007)

Unless otherwise stated, all events are free and open to the public.

Please email us at career@kzoo.edu with questions.