Career and Professional Development

Thursday, October 20, 2011

11:30a.m. - 12:15p.m. - Suit Up! The PDI is going to be LEGENdary
Are you scared to network? Are you wondering what this PDI thing is all about? Practice your elevator pitch and leave ready to make a good impression at this year’s PDI. Learn how to make professional connections for next summer and your life after "K".
Hicks 111A & B

4:00 -  4:45 p.m. - Suit Up! The PDI is going to be LEGENdary
Are you scared to network? Are you wondering what this PDI thing is all about? Practice your elevator pitch and leave ready to make a good impression at this year’s PDI. Learn how to make professional connections for next summer and your life after "K".
Hicks 111A & B (FYF)

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - You're Hired! Trump the Competition in your Job Search
Every organization needs good employees. Come hear from a panel of recruiters about what they look for when hiring new employees, particularly recent graduates. What are some of the common mistakes that candidates make and what makes good applicants stand out. Did you miss this event? Watch it on youtube. Click here
Dewing 103

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Meet for Coffee at the Résumé Café
Looking for help with your résumé but afraid it's not good enough to show?  Relax over coffee and get feedback on your résumé from real-world professionals, including alumni and employer representatives. Whether it's your first try at a résumé or a polished version ready for submission, you'll get great tips on how to improve it so you can apply for that internship or job. Make sure to print out a copy of your résumé to bring with you. Click here to view a list of resume reviewers. (FYF)
Dewing Commons

8:00 - 9:00 p.m. -  English Major to Ad Man:  The Liberal Arts and a Liberal Dose of Curiosity
Chris Roan graduated from Carleton College with a double major in English and Journalism. Seven years and many adventures later, he is living in New York City and working in arts and entertainment. Chris writes, “My path is defined by taking some risks, staying curious, and not being too worked up about making THE EXACT RIGHT DECISION ABOUT EVERYTHING AT ALL TIMES.”  Come hear Chris speak about his professional journey and ask your career related questions. Sponsored by the CCPD and the First-Year Experience.
Dewing 103 (FYF)

Friday, October 21, 2011

10:30 - 11:00 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. - 12:00p.m. - Peace Corps Information Table
Carrie Cruz, Regional Peace Corps Recruiter from the Chicago regional office, will be available to answer questions and provide information concerning the application and selection process for the Peace Corps. 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. Come find out how you can get involved!
Narthex, Stetson Chapel

11:00 - 11:40 a.m. - The K-Plan and the Peace Corps: Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Share their Stories of Engagement with the World
Serving in the Peace Corps offers tremendous opportunity to give back, meet diverse people, and develop oneself. Come listen to returned Peace Corps volunteers as they share how their experience at “K” and the Peace Corps has shaped their professional and personal lives. The Peace Corps celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Co-hosted by the CCPD and Alumni Relations.
Stetson Chapel (FYF)

12:00 - 1:30 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. Click here to view the professional biographies for the Passions to Professions alumni participants.
Speakers Include:

Dana Bourland '94, Vice President, Green Initiatives, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
Mary Gorjance,  Retired Foreign Service Officer
Scott Loveridge'80, Professor & Director of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, Michigan State University
Anita Wallgren '76, Retired business executive, government attorney, and program director
William (Bill) Williams '71, Executive Vice President & COO, Global Client Management, BNY Mellon
Bob Winship '71, Retired Foreign Service Officer

Banquet Room, Hicks Center

1:30 - 4:30p.m. - Say Cheese! Need a Professional Photo for your LinkedIn Profile?
Don’t miss this opportunity to have a complimentary head shot taken on-site at "K" by professional photographer, Tony Dugal! This event is open to students only. Registration is now open through K-Connect. Thirty slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please click here to view the sign-up. Sponsored by the CCPD.
Hicks 110

2:00 - 2:45p.m. - Get LinkedIn to the Guilds for Alumni
Join a CCPD staff member for a brief overview of the Guilds on LinkedIn. Receive tips on how to start a LinkedIn profile and join the LinkedIn group. Over 100 million professionals use LinkedIn to showcase their expertise and make connections. After this session, you'll be able to easily set up your own LinkedIn profile and use it to connect with student and alumni members of the Guilds.
Hicks 111A&B 

2:35 - 2:55 p.m. - Get LinkedIn to the Guilds for Students
Join Career Associate, Ben Ensroth '12, for a 20-minute session to get started in the Guilds. In this hands-on session in a computer lab, you will create your own basic account on the professional networking platform LinkedIn, which will enable you to join the Guilds LinkedIn Group and begin making your own career connections.
Dewing 207

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Center for Career and Professional Development Connection Reception
Please join students, alumni professionals, returned Peace Corps volunteers, 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. This is a great opportunity to network and make professional connections. (Please note the RSVP is now closed. Those who did not RSVP in advance are still invited to attend, however your name and professional biography will not be included in the networking handout.) Sponsored by the Guilds of Kalamazoo College. To view a list of attendees click here.
Banquet Room, Hicks Center

Saturday, October 22, 2011

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. - Welcoming a "K" Student into your Workplace:  The Nuts and Bolts of Hosting Externs and Interns
Ready to share your professional life with a current student?  Not sure but want to find out more?  Career Development staff will offer an orientation on the benefits and requirements of our summer field experiences, answer questions, and walk you through the process of signing up as a host for a Discovery Extern or a K-Intern next summer.  Please join us if you’ve always wanted to host a "K" student, or if you’ve never thought about it before but are intrigued by the idea.  Experience the newly renovated resource room, and learn about other CCPD initiatives!
Career Development and International Programs Resource Room, Dewing Hall, First Floor

11:00 am - noon - Alumni in Law: Careers in the Legal Professions
Hear from a panel of alumni attorneys as they describe their various legal career paths. From litigator to policymaker, corporate counsel to defense attorney, various specializations will be represented by the panel and the audience. Open to students and alumni alike. Co-sponsored by the Pre-Law Society and the Law Guild.
Dewing 305

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

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