Supporting early career engagement at Carleton

7 February 2023
Keri Asp
Keri Asp, Program Director for Career Coaching

Recognizing that sophomore year is about navigating big decisions – major declaration, searching and solidifying summer plans, career exploration, and more – the Career Center is excited to be rolling out two sophomore-specific programs to support our second-year student’s growth and exploration this term: the Sophomore Action Planning Appointment (on-going) and the inaugural Sophomore Summit (February 18). Given how instrumental family support is to the student experience, the Career Center would appreciate your help (especially sophomore families) to encouraging students to participate. 

Sophomore Action Planning Appointment – Ongoing

In its second year, the Sophomore Action Planning Appointment is an opportunity for students to meet with their assigned career coach for a one-on-one conversation to envision their future, set goals, and strategize how to utilize both on and off-campus resources. Taking a highly collaborative approach, their coach will facilitate a conversation for students to reflect on their first two years, and guide them in inquiry to reveal powerful insights to help better focus their interests and start to craft a plan for their future. In our conversations, we will: 

  • Ask insightful questions, help them spot patterns and themes, and offer a different perspective; 
  • Clarify how their experiences and insights impact their career exploration;  
  • Discuss their goals and plans for the rest of their time at Carleton and beyond; and,
  • Identify relevant strategies and resources to help them achieve their goals.

Sophomore Summit – February 18, 2023

Our inaugural Sophomore Summit, an on-campus event delivered in a conference format, will feature three 30-minute career educational sessions led by an alumnus/a facilitator representing a different industry or perspective, followed by a 90-minute networking event featuring a broad cross-section of alumni (with diverse experiences in college activities, identities, majors, jobs, etc.) to advance your sophomore student’s career journey in the following ways:

  • build their personal and professional network with Carleton alumni from a variety of backgrounds, industries, and majors;  
  • learn industry-specific tips that can then be applied when communicating the value of their liberal arts background (e.g., résumé, interviewing, & networking ); 
  • elevate their digital professional identity with a headshot snapped by the onsite photographer; and, 
  • receive a Carleton-branded padfolio if they are one of the first 50 sophomores to register and sign in on the day of the event.