Rachel Brown, assistant provost for university career services at the George Washington University, believes this adage applies to almost every student at GW: It is never too early to prepare for your future.
That preparation can begin Sept. 16 with the Center for Career Services university-wide Fall Career and Internship Fair at the Charles E. Smith Center.
Information on preparing for and registering for the fair is available by logging into the GWork portal.
In addition, the GW School of Business F. David Fowler Career Center presents its third-annual Career Week Sept. 8-11 for GWSB students. Activities include panel discussions with employer partners such as Macy’s and Deloitte, networking receptions and one-on-one meetings with senior management through the executive-in-residence program.
“Our priority has always been helping students lay out a plan for success, and it’s never too early to start exploring your options,” Ms. Brown said. “Whether they are looking for part-time employment, lining up a postgraduate job or considering internship experiences, the Center for Career Services is there to offer guidance.”
Connecting Students with Employers
More than 100 employers will attend the Fall Career and Internship Fair, which includes a LinkedIn “Rock My Profile” booth where seniors can receive feedback on their professional profiles and a Career Fair prep room where career coaches will be available to provide information and advice.
The Fall Career and Internship Fair is among 10 fairs held each year on campus, including industry-specific fairs, Ms. Brown said. There will be five months of career themed activities during the 2015-16 academic year. They are designed to introduce students to specific industries such as consulting and financial services, engineering, science and technology, communications and design, international affairs, health sciences and public health, according to Ms. Brown.
“We are trying to drive home to students that meeting with employers and talking through different career options is an ongoing process that can start as early as their sophomore year,” Ms. Brown said. “Freshman should focus on academics, but a part-time job on campus, a service project, or student organization can be a great way to connect and learn more about themselves.
“Career coaches can help students reflect on these experiences and see how they connect to a broader plan,” she added.
Strengthening Career Services
The university’s success in connecting students with employers is evident in the most recent post-baccalaureate survey of 2,090 members of the Class of 2014. The survey reported that 86 percent of graduates surveyed secured employment, pursued a graduate or professional degree or participated in military or volunteer service and other activities.
GW also bested 24 schools for a top rating on Princeton Review’s 2015 “Best Schools for Internships” list released in February. The university was included among the 650 “Colleges that Pay You Back.”
The recognition comes at a fitting time for the university, which has expanded career and internship offerings tremendously following an overhaul of career services through the Career Services Enhancement Initiative launched in 2012.
The initiative was further buoyed by a $5 million gift in May 2014 from alumnus and Board of Trustees member Mark R. Shenkman, M.B.A. ’67, and his wife, Rosalind.
Under this umbrella, GW increased relationships with employers, expanded career coaching and mentoring opportunities and increased student and alumni engagement.
More than 22,000 students and alumni participated in workshops, career and internship fairs, career coaching and other career preparation activities in the past two years —an increase of more than 30 percent, according to the Center for Career Services.
Employer participation at GW also increased by 30 percent in the same time period.
“Seeing students develop as young professionals during their time at GW is a highlight,” said Julianna Hutchins, a career coach for business, finance, consulting and economics.
A residence hall was named in honor of Mark R. Shenkman, M.B.A. '67, and his wife Rosalind, following their generous gift to the university.
“Whether they are learning about their strengths through an assessment, gaining knowledge through an internship or informational interview or receiving an internship or job offer, it's a privilege for us to equip students with the tools they need to pursue their career goals,” Ms. Hutchins said.
Mr. Shenkman’s gift established the Shenkman Career Services Fund grants to create career development opportunities for students, and the Shenkman Technology Room. The digital mock interview and virtual career-coaching space for students on the fifth floor of the Marvin Center is slated to open during the fall 2015 semester.
The funding also supported Career Quest, a program that allowed 40 students to travel to New York City to meet with employees from the Clinton Foundation, Ogilvy Public Relations, Spotify and others during a whirlwind two-day trip of on-site visits during the spring 2015 semester.
Helping Students Seize Opportunity
To make unpaid internships financially feasible, GW awards grants each semester up to $3,000 through the Knowledge in Action Career Internship Fund. Since its inception in 2013, the alumni and parent-funded grant program has provided nearly $255,000 in funding to students with unpaid internships.
The Center for Career Services collaborated with the Student Association to pilot a one-credit Elective Internship course during summer 2015. Students complete an internship and eight classes through an online learning module during the course.
Ms. Brown said that the elective course is an example of the GW’s commitment to finding new ways to helps student get the experience they need to be competitive in the job market.
The value of an internship lies in the experience gained, according to American Red Cross Senior Advisor for Talent Acquisition Javona Braxton. The Red Cross is one of GW’s many employer partners, which include Macy’s, IBM, Boeing, Siemens and Deloitte.
GW students take part in the first GW Career Quest program in New York City during the 2015 spring semester.
“We know that we can’t hire every intern that we host, and our goal is to ensure that our interns leave the American Red Cross as a competitive and competent job seeker,” Ms. Braxton said.
Students looking for a full-time job can turn to GW’s active alumni network for mentors, guidance and job opportunities. Recent graduate Lane Farrell, B.S. ’15, landed a job at Ironshore Associates after meeting with company representatives at the Fall 2014 Career and Internship Fair. She later connected with GW alumnus and Ironshore CEO Mitch Blazer, B.B.A. ‘73.
Ms. Brown said that while jobs and internships are rewarding, students should use GW resources to engage with employers and alumni throughout college so that they can better define their career path.
“Success comes in all shapes and sizes,” Ms. Brown said. “We want students and alumni to recognize that success—whether its finding a job or landing an internship—is often not a linear path. But one thing we do know is that success starts with a plan.”