Students

How Do I Start?

Career and professional development is not a one-time event, but a dynamic and on-going process in which you will engage throughout your lifetime. The process begins with Career Exploration, learning about different career fields and jobs, and assessing your own interest, skills, and motivations to determine the right career fit. Career counselors can support your Career Preparation and teach you how to create resumes, cover letters, and learn to interview for jobs and internships. The Weingart Center for Career and Professional Development provides an array of Career Connections for you to build your professional network and connect you with employers and career opportunities through Poet Paths, Whittier College's exclusive online portal for jobs and internships.

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The purpose of one-on-one career counseling and coaching is to help students and alumni develop an action plan for accomplishing their professional career goals. Whether you know exactly what you want to do for a career or have no idea what the future holds, a career counselor/coach can be a valuable advisor in helping you sort through the vast amount of career information available to you. Career counselors/coaches can partner with you regarding your individual questions, interpret your self-assessment results, assist you with the development of your resume and cover letter, show you how to prepare for interviews, and work with you to develop a comprehensive strategy for your internship or job search. 

Our counselors can help you determine your next steps as you work together and develop an individualized career and professional development action plan.

We provide a range of comprehensive services to support you in the engagement, development, and connection phases of your career.

Explore

  • Identify Your Interests
  • Choose a Major
  • Research Career Fields
  • Graduate School Advising
  • Attend Workshops

Prepare

  • Prepare Resumes and Cover Letters
  • Learn to Interview
     

Connect

  • Fellowships Database
  • Center for Engagement with Communities
  • Jobs
  • Internships
  • On-Campus Recruiting
  • Networking
  • Career Fairs & Events

Employers value a four-year degree now more than ever. How can you use your Whittier liberal arts education to be successful in the working world? Review the following list of skills that employers look for most in recent graduates.

 Ability to:

  • Verbally communicate with persons inside and outside the organization
  • Work in a team structure
  • Make decisions and solve problems
  • Plan, organize and prioritize work
  • Obtain and process information
  • Analyze quantitative data
  • Create and/or edit written reports
  • Sell or influence others

Along with:

  • Technical knowledge related to the job
  • Proficiency with computer software programs

Employers are not just looking for these work-ready skills. They look for recent graduates with the following personal skills:

  • Honesty/Integrity
  • Dedication/Hard-Working
  • Dependable/Reliable
  • Loyal
  • Motivated/Positive Attitude
  • Professionalism
  • Self-Confidence
  • Self-Motivated/Require Minimal Supervision
  • Willingness to Learn