Center for Careers, Life, and Service(CLS)’s Words of Welcome and Advice

Greetings and congratulations on your admission to Grinnell College!

I’m Mark Peltz, the dean of the Center for Careers, Life, and Service (CLS). My team and I are here to support you throughout your time at Grinnell — starting right from New Student Orientation (NSO). Over the next four years, we’ll help you explore your interests, set goals, gain experience, and get ready for life after college. One of the great things about Grinnell is that we have one of the lowest student-to-career-coach ratios in the country — meaning we get to know you, your interests, and your goals pretty well.

Figuring out your career path can feel overwhelming, especially with everything else going on as you adjust to college life. So here are a couple of tips to keep in mind:

First, start early. Graduation might seem like a long way off, but think about how fast high school flew by! Planning for life after college isn’t something you can cram last-minute. Set some goals each semester, and remember — you don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Career planning is more of a marathon than a sprint, which is why every first-year and transfer student at Grinnell gets assigned a career coach from the start.

Second, start making connections. Even in your first year, you can meet alumni, employers, grad school reps, and more. Ask good questions, take notes, send thank-yous, and stay in touch. Building your network is a skill that will help you for years to come — it’s how you’ll find guidance, get introductions, and discover new opportunities.

Once again, congrats on joining the Grinnell community! My team and I look forward to working with you. Best of luck as you wrap up your college search!