Conn offers summer career prep course for the first time through Hale Center

It never hurts to get a head start. That’s why for the first time, Connecticut College is offering a free summer career prep course for incoming students. The special five-week course, available to 20 members from the Class of 2024 randomly selected from a lottery process, is offered through the Hale Center for Career Development. 

The class, which will also be offered during the fall and spring semesters, is available to students through their sophomore years, and includes a variety of interactive, career-oriented projects that help students build confidence and polish their presentation and interviewing skills. The focus is to ensure students are prepared to be strong candidates for competitive internships and job positions throughout their time at Conn and beyond. 

Topics explored in the course include network building tips, how to craft an effective resume and how to create a compelling social media profile. According to Persephone Hall, Hale Family senior director of the Hale Center for Career Development, students who have completed this course indicate an increased level of effectiveness in identifying and articulating what they have to offer to an employer. 

“Conn recognizes that early career preparation provides students with a foundation to success for positions in a wide array of industries,” said Hall. “Not only does this summer’s career preparation course offer members of the Class of 2024 a chance to meet their classmates, it also helps create a career mindset from the very beginning of their Connecticut College journey."

Career prep at Conn begins immediately and is deeply integrated into the curriculum and student experience over four years. Students have access to personal, one-on-one career advising, a vast alumni network of professionals in a variety of fields, road trips to career fairs and a host of job shadowing opportunities. 

In addition, by completing this course over the summer, students will gain early access to Career Action Funds—financial resources provided to support career-related experiences. 

“This new summer initiative is a great example of Conn’s flexibility and creativity in our planning around the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Emily Morash, associate dean of the College and dean of first-year students. “Getting a jump start on a career is a perfect opportunity for new students, especially given that some of them had their original summer plans altered or cancelled.” 

Since the course was first introduced last year during the regular class schedule, Hall says it has been a tremendous success and perfectly reflects the College’s mission of putting the liberal arts into action.

“At Connecticut College career preparation starts day one. When students graduate, they are ready for a fulfilling, effective career and life,” Hall said.