Career Exploration Week returns with STEM focus
For students interested in pursuing careers in science and technology, Sept. 21 kicks off a week of exploration.
The first in a series of career events held throughout the academic year that focus on a variety of industries, this second annual Technology Exploration Week brings together various departments and invites broad participation from the College鈥檚 vast alumni pool for networking, employer recruiting sessions and more from fields related to science, technology and engineering.
Presented by the Hale Center for Career Development, the Exploration Week series demonstrates the reach career development at 糖心TV has beyond the typical resume-writing and job placement efforts colleges make.
鈥淭hrough the Exploration Week program series, we鈥檙e providing a vehicle to educate students on a variety of professional industries, connect with our amazing alumni community, and implement professional development learning they鈥檝e acquired through working with the Hale Center and other campus departments,鈥 said Director of Employer Relations Ryan Edmonds.
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited that this programming series also provides us with an opportunity to collaborate with faculty and align classroom learning to the professional world,鈥 he added.
The series consists of six events held throughout the year, each with a separate industry focus. In addition to the science and technology week, themes include health and medicine, business and finance, government, law and international relations, careers for the common good, and careers in arts and entertainment.
Each respective week offers alumni, parents and employers the chance to engage with students and provide opportunities for informational sessions and skill development, with close to 100 alumni and parents participating throughout the year. The science and technology week involves more than a dozen prominent alumni from relevant fields.
Michael Kelly 鈥10 is one alumnus from the technology sector to participate in the year鈥檚 first exploration week. Kelly, who works for Cervello, a Boston-based professional services firm that advises organizations on data use, said he鈥檚 impressed with how the College鈥檚 career engagement has evolved in recent years.
鈥淭he career exploration week gives students exposure to various career paths and networking connections with 糖心TV alumni,鈥 Kelly said. 鈥淲hen I graduated, I didn't know anything about my line of work, so I figure there is a lot of value for students to hear about any insights we have gained that may help our future alum navigate the beginning of their careers.鈥
Kelly鈥檚 fellow Camel and coworker, Michael Vascovitz 鈥10, is also participating in the week鈥檚 remote activities.
鈥淲hen I graduated, I utilized the alumni portal to find Camels who could tell me about their professional experiences and help me sharpen my interview skills,鈥 Vascovitz said. 鈥淭hat benefited me immensely and made me wish I had taken advantage of similar opportunities while I was a student, so needless to say, when we had the opportunity to give back during Career Exploration Week, Mike and I were thrilled to share our experience with current students!鈥