Services Overview
Advising - Our Career Staff can assist with self-assessment and career exploration in addition to enhancing job and graduate school search techniques. Career Counseling can help students define skills, values, and interests, while developing a plan for the future.
Internships - Internships help students gain the practical knowledge and skills that will be marketable upon graduation. Students plan their own internships, shaping them to fit their interests, skills, and academic background.
On-Campus Recruiting - Organizations, companies, and graduate schools visit the CDO each year to conduct preliminary interviews with prospective candidates.
A Job Shadow - Job shadows are a great way for students to get a glimpse into the life of a certain position or career field. Job shadows are set up between students and the person they are shadowing. CDO Staff counsel students on how to find and contact a shadowing employer.
Workshops - Sessions are presented on resume/cover letter writing, accessing alumni online, interview techniques, senior interviewing events, graduate school planning, investment banking and consulting, professional etiquette, and job search strategies, to name a few. Check the CDO calendar for the workshop schedule and descriptions. The CDO career counselors can also create specific workshops based on your needs.
Library and Printed Publications - The CDO Library includes titles on resume writing, interviewing, job searching, internships, and various careers available for check out. In addition, booklets pertaining to resume and cover letter writing and networking are available at no charge to students.
Testing - To assist the career advising process, the CDO staff can incorporate a variety of instruments including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
Mock Interviews - Videotaped practice interviews are available for those entering the job market, seeking internships, and applying to graduate school.
FOCUS 2 - A comprehensive career planning program that provides guidance and information to help people make important career and educational decisions. Research-based assessments of career-relevant interests, abilities, and job values help individuals consider career options that are a good match for them.
Resume Reviews - Students meet one-on-one with a Career Counselor to have resumes critiqued, as well as making sure it is ready to go to employers. The CDO staff can assist with the beginning stages of resumes right up to proof-reading the final draft. Application letters as well.
Suggestions and Resources for Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff members of Grinnell College play a large role in helping students clarify their values and interests, build confidence in their capabilities, and make connections outside of the Grinnell College community. The Career Development Office provides resources and support to members of the faculty and staff who are advising students, coordinating internships, writing letters of recommendation, or otherwise engaging in career-related activities with students. Our career advising services can really complement academic advising. We are also a clearinghouse of opportunities. Send us relevant information on specific internships, fellowships and scholarships, research opportunities, jobs, and graduate and professional school via campus mail or email to CAREER@grinnell.edu.
Don't Cancel Class! We can take the Career Development Office on the road and into your classroom. Instead of canceling a class if you have to attend a conference, contact us and we'll come with customized workshop. We are here to collaborate with you. Let us know of any effort that you are undertaking that will help students take their major beyond the classroom (e.g. alumni and employer panels, undergraduate research, conferences, etc.). Call us at ext. 4940 or email us at CAREER@grinnell.edu!
