The University Career Center recently partnered with the economics, history and English departments in the College of Arts and Letters to launch a pilot “Sophomore Check-Up” program, which aims to provide sophomores with information and resources in order to help them achieve their professional goals.
Bridget Kibbe, Career Engagement Manager at the Career Center, said the Center has a wealth of resources for every undergraduate class year, but freshman, juniors and seniors have “more of a systematic touch point” with the Career Center.
“We recognize that the sophomore year is actually a very important time for making decisions, so we wanted to do a special outreach to focus on resource awareness that would meet students where they are during that time, regardless of the paths they are considering,” Kibbe said.
Kibbe said the Career Center began the program with a few departments in order to evaluate the potential success of the program.
“It is our hope that we will be able to figure out a way to scale sophomore checkups so more students can participate while retaining the small group design,” Kibbe said.
Sophomore Louis Bertolotti said the program helped him to become more knowledgeable about the resources the Career Center has to offer.
“This recent program specifically helped me utilize the online databases about which many are unaware,” Bertolotti said. “Furthermore, it provided me with the information on how to secure funding for unpaid summer internships.”
Bertolotti said a liberal arts education is very valuable — it helps to teach students about a variety of topics and disciplines.
“A liberal arts education culminates in a complete education of the mind, body and spirit,” Bertolotti said. “The Career Center helps one translate the knowledge that comes from a liberal arts education into an actual career path.”
Matthew Zyniewicz, the Dean's Executive Administrator in the College of Arts and Letters, said the College teaches students to tackle today’s most pressing issues in a demanding intellectual environment, which results in the development of skills that are highly sought after by employers.
“No matter what course of study you choose in the College, you will acquire skills that are powerful assets in any profession: the ability to think critically and creatively, to analyze complex information, to identify and solve problems, to write well and to speak persuasively,” Zyniewicz said. “These versatile skills are increasingly valuable in today's rapidly changing global economy.”
“[The 'Sophomore Check-Up' program] will be a great way for our students to learn about and take advantage of all of the opportunities that are open to them during their time here — and also to begin thinking about their post-graduation goals and how to achieve them,” he said.
