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XPD - Experience & Professional Development has a strong commitment to helping students succeed in their college experience and plan for life after graduation. We welcome students at every stage of career development, from the first-year student exploring possible majors, to the senior looking for his or her first post-graduation experience. It is never too early (or too late!) for students to begin using the services we offer. Encourage your student to make an appointment with an XPD Career Coach today.
- 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.
Career and Academic Development
- A Parents' Guide to Career Development
Resources for Parents/Families
Get Involved
CSB/SJU XPD - Experience & Professional Development is not an employment agency. We provide students with the tools, resources, and opportunities to find internships and jobs, but students themselves are ultimately responsible for finding their chosen positions. The hiring decision is dependent upon many extraneous factors not under the control of XPD.
