Experience & Professional Development

Make an Appointment  XPD Canvas Course 

Walk-in Hours  Virtual After Hours

XPD is a multifaceted department that provides support at each stage of your academic journey. From choosing a major and career planning … to experience-based opportunities and community-engaged learning, to graduate school and career prep … XPD is the best place to explore, do, reflect and connect again and again and again!

We coach students to explore, do, reflect, and connect.


Explore. Do. Reflect. Connect.

  • Take classes to explore possible majors; be open to new areas of interest.
  • Engage in self exploration and connect to your academic/career goals.
  • Meet with an XPD Coach to complete and reflect on activities that relate to your values, interests, and goals.
  • Research majors and related career options.
  • Attend XPD events to discover possibilities that fit your values, interests and goals.
  • Build a relationship with your first-year seminar instructor.
  • Get involved on campus, learn more about experience-based programs, and create a plan for gaining experience during your time at CSB/SJU.
  • Learn how your liberal arts education relates to career options.
  • Visit the Alum Profiles to learn how CSB/SJU grads have connected their interests and skills to careers.
  • Stop by the XPD Office for coaching on how to transform your high school resume into a professional resume.
  • Project your professional self by building your Handshake and LinkedIn profile.
  • Test out your interests and skills through classes, employment (student/part time), clubs and organizations, and service/volunteer experiences.
  • Explore major(s) and investigate careers of interest.
  • Meet with your faculty advisor to explore and discuss academic, experiential, and career goals.
  • Learn about and apply for experience-based programs through CSB/SJU.
  • Visit with XPD staff to connect with alums for career advice and mentorship in your areas of interests (CANE – alum career network).
  • Visit with the XPD staff to identify professionals for job shadow opportunities.
  • Attend Connections XPO and XPD events to learn about careers, explore internships, and meet alums and employers.
  • Utilize XPD’s resume and interviewing resources for your study abroad preparation.
  • Update your resume with new experiences and drop in for a resume critique.
  • Learn about the valuable transferable skills you can develop through your liberal arts education.
  • Update your Handshake profile and investigate internships and summer/part-time employment.
  • Update your LinkedIn profile, start making connections, and join interest/alum groups (including CSB/SJU Career Connections).
  • Meet with an XPD Coach to:
    • Create a strategy for gaining related experience, maximizing your last two years and developing post-graduation plans.
    • Have your updated resume and LinkedIn profile critiqued.
    • Participate in a practice interview.
    • Learn how to articulate the value of your liberal arts education and transferable skills when presenting yourself to others.
  • Participate actively in Connections XPO and XPD events and meet with employers about internships and career opportunities.
  • Gain related experience and build your credentials through an internship, undergraduate research, fellowships, and service/volunteer experience.
  • Learn about and apply for experience-based programs through CSB/SJU.
  • Update Handshake, apply to internships, and participate in on-campus interviewing.
  • Take an active/leadership role in clubs/organizations, class projects, and work/service experiences; reflect upon your experiences with career mentors and faculty/staff.
  • Continue to connect with alums/career mentors using CANE (alum career network), LinkedIn, and XPD events.
  • Meet with faculty to discuss and investigate graduate programs; learn about application processes and timelines.
  • Meet with an XPD Coach to:
    • Implement your strategy to move forward with your post-graduation plans.
    • Have your updated resume and LinkedIn profile critiqued.
    • Discuss resources focused on employment/graduate school/full-time service.
    • Receive coaching on applications, successful interviewing strategies, and salary negotiations.
  • Discuss your goals for post-graduate opportunities (e.g. graduate school, employment, and full-time service) with faculty/staff and career mentors. 
  • Take an active/leadership role in clubs/organizations, class projects, and work/service experiences; reflect upon your experiences with career mentors and faculty/staff.
  • Update Handshake, apply to positions, and participate in on-campus interviewing.
  • Participate actively in Connections XPO and XPD events and meet with employers about career opportunities.
  • Continue to build and leverage your career network using CANE (alum career network), LinkedIn, and XPD events.
  • Utilize Capstone opportunities to gain experience and create networks.
  • Complete the First Destination Survey.
  • Explore your future involvement as a CSB/SJU alum, including volunteering and career mentorship.

If you want to figure out where you’re going, find out where we are.