What Your Carl Can Do During Winter Break

As Winter Break begins, we hope students will take some time to relax and celebrate all that they have accomplished this term. While students have some free time during the next few weeks, we know many, either self-prompted or given a soft nudge, are looking for strategies to make progress in their career exploration and professional development. Parents: to help you help your student, we have provided some simple and useful ways students can engage in career development over the break either on their own or with the help of our Career Coaches:

1. Informational Interviewing: If your student is curious about specific industries, or isn’t sure what industry they want to go into, we highly recommend they do an informational interview. Informational Interviews offer students a chance to learn more about a specific industry or job of interest and network with professionals in that field, which could lead to experiential learning opportunities or jobs. These can be done with personal contacts or Carleton alumni. Check out our website, “Walk me through the process” to learn more about informational interviews. If you’re looking for alumni to contact, consider using Carleton’s Alumni Directory.
2. Virtual Work Experience Programs: Check out Forage or Parker Dewey. Your student can take advantage of free, bite-sized work experience programs to explore careers and hone their skills by completing a professional project. Some are even paid.
3. Engage in Skill Development: Employers from all sectors love to see experiences and projects that reflect students’ initiative, interests, & ability to learn new skills. The following are just a few examples your student can take advantage of: work a seasonal job; learn software, leadership, & creative skills via Carleton’s subscription to LinkedIn Learning; or execute an individual project (such as creating a website or blog).
4. Meet with One of Our Staff Members: Career Coaches are available to meet one-on-one with students virtually throughout the winter break. Students can schedule an appointment through Handshake. Please note that the Career Center will be closed from December 25, 2023, through January 1, 2024.
5. Upcoming Winter Term Career Center Programming: Throughout Winter Break, we will highlight programs we are hosting in the Winter Term. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the know and encourage your student to add these to their calendar. A few upcoming programs include Sophomore Summit on January 20th and First-Year ChaIlenge Workshops throughout January and February. We will also add upcoming internship and job information sessions to Handshake on an ongoing basis.