Experience & Professional Development
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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.
- 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.