Career & Professional Development

Career and Professional Development
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Whether you’re wondering what you can do with your major, looking for guidance to craft a resume for an internship, hoping to connect with an alum in Chicago, or scheduling a Skype interview in a quiet space, we’re here to help!

Career and Professional Development is focused on students—and the answers to three big questions: Who am I and what do I want? What’s out there for me? How do I get there?

 
of the class of 2014 are employed, in graduate school, or completing service
 
90% of employed grads state their jobs are related to career goals
 
76% of students complete internships compared to 61% nationally

Beyond Central

Recent Successful Outcomes

  • Health and Sports Writer, 303 Magazine, Denver
  • International Tax Analyst, MidAmerican Energy
  • Medical Student, Duke University
  • Graphic Designer, Ruffalo Noel Levitz
  • Science and Math Teacher, Honduras
  • Law Student, Creighton University
  • Treatment Counselor, Tanager Place
  • Community Outreach, AmeriCorps VISTA, St. Louis
  • E-Marketing Specialist, HON Company
  • Fulbright English Teacher, Malaysia
  • Naturalist, Jasper County Conservation
  • Engineering Student, Iowa State University
  • Actuarial Associate, Transamerica
  • Athletic Trainer, Tallahassee Orthopedics
  • Software Developer, Alliance Technologies
  • Music Therapy Student, University of Iowa
  • CLS Chemist, Kemin Industries
  • English Language Assistant, Paris
  • Technical Services Engineer, Epic, Madison, Wis.
Central College student

Organizations

Central is a founding member of the Iowa College Recruiting Network (ICRN), and also the Career Professionals of Iowa (CPI), the National Career Development Association (NCDA), and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

 

Opportunities

Central offers you many opportunities to network with employers and professionals in your field.

This includes opportunities to interview for jobs at ICRN (Iowa College Recruiting Network) events throughout the state, interact with 50+ employers at an annual Internship Networking Fair on campus, meet employers at Meet the Pros events, or interview for jobs and internships with employers in person on campus or via phone or Skype.

Resources Available:

  • Career inventories include the College Majors Scorecard, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (personality), the Career Occupational Preference System (career interests) and various other checklists.
  • Résumés, cover letters and personal statements can be reviewed by staff. Meet one-on-one for a critique of these important documents, along with helpful feedback to make your application materials compelling and professional.
  • Workshops on every possible topic including the Professional Development Series, Financial Literacy, Graduate School Planning and Using Social Media in Your Job Search are offered each semester.
  • Make business cards to hand out at networking events; it’s easy and inexpensive!

Sample programs

  • Professional Development Series, offered twice each semester: Job Search Overview, Résumés and Cover Letters, Interviewing Strategies, Dress for Success, Dining Etiquette.
  • Tailored two-part job search series, specifically for future teachers, is also presented each semester.
  • Graduate School workshops:  Choosing and Applying to Graduate School, Mastering the GRE, Financing Graduate School
  • “Meet the Pros” panels each semester:  Opportunities to connect with alumni and professionals in career fields of interest.
  • Interview Blitz:  Participate in short practice interviews with local human resource professionals.
  • Marketing Study Abroad to Employers:  Learn how to sell your study abroad experiences when job searching.

Student interviewing with a potential employer at the spring Interview Blitz

The Central Difference

Program Director

Jessica Klyn de Novelo is the Director of Career and Professional Development and has been at Central over 12 years, and Morgan Keasler recently joined the department as the Associate Director.  They have a broad breadth of knowledge—whether you’re exploring majors, wondering about career direction, seeking an internship, preparing for your first interview, or writing a personal statement for graduate school—they can help!  Visit them in the Global Experiential Learning area of Geisler Library.

Central College student

Setting the Standard

Central career professionals make sure you have a support system as you job search. Faculty, staff, students and alumni are all rooting for you!

  • Explore your unique interests, skills, personality and values related to career direction;
  • Gain relevant career-related experience to further understand the world of work, industries and employers of interest;
  • Connect with helpful resources, including alumni and professionals in applicable careers, and useful technical applications and websites;
  • Activate searches and successfully become employed, enrolled in graduate/professional school, or engaged in a year or two of service.

 

Program director Pat Joachim Kitzman

What Students Are Saying

"The ICRN interview events, facilitated by Career and Professional Development, do a fantastic job of exposing students to a wide range of future employers. Through my experience I was able to land a summer internship and a full time job with Target Corporation."  Cody, 2014

“The staff at CPD was aware that I was seeking a summer internship—a little late in the semester. They guided me as I retooled my resume to fit the internship descriptions, and advised me regarding choosing between two offers I received. I ended up at Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company where I’ve rotated through a number of departments including claims, underwriting and actuarial services. Without the help of CPD, I never would have had the opportunity to gain such amazing experience.” Lakota, 2016

Central College student

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