At WashU, we believe that career education occurs over the course of the four-year undergraduate experience, beginning during the first year. We encourage students to reflect on and understand their unique values, skills, interests, and goals.
The Center for Career Engagement provides a number of opportunities for students to engage with their professional interests. Students can expect to learn strategies for meaningful exploration of the world of work and engagement with employers and organizations. Opportunities include:
- Access to information about summer internships and research and volunteer experiences.
- Individualized career coaching and skill-building workshops.
- Signature events, including career fairs, industry speaker events, employer visits to different regions in the United States, and alumni job-shadowing opportunities.
- Opportunities to build connections with alumni, professionals, and peers in various industries through Career Communities and networks.
You can support your student’s career exploration and preparation by:
- Encouraging early and regular engagement with the Center for Career Engagement’s programs, resources, and events.
- Observing and listening to your student’s interests, values, and strengths and helping them see themes, patterns, and opportunities for continued growth and development.
- Promoting engagement in clubs, activities, passion projects, and service on and off campus as a way to grow skills, develop leadership, and try new things.
- Discussing the importance of multiple, meaningful professional experiences such as internships, research, shadowing, networking, volunteer work, and study abroad.