Colgate’s Four-Year Career Development Plan is as distinctive as the University itself.
The plan prepares students for success after graduation by drawing on rigorous academic programs, top-tier resources, and a committed alumni network.
With so many routes to explore, it is important to create a plan. That’s what Career Services did and continues to do for me.
Jonathan Eaton ’24
A Plan for You
The Four-Year Career Development Plan is curated to progress with students as they explore and experiment. By design, it will help students reach important milestones.
Career Services is a partner each step of the way. As students clarify their goals, Career Services advisers — dedicated practitioners and industry specialists — guide and support them.
Your Four-Year Journey
The plan centers around eight career development areas.
- First-years begin by cataloging their strengths, interests, values, and identities with career advisers, and exploring broad career areas through alumni-led panels and informational interviews. Students practice basic career skills, like writing a résumé.
- Sophomores grow their awareness of industries and roles, working directly with a career adviser and participating in alumni programming, such as Sophomore Connections. Developing networking skills and learning how to apply to internships helps students land a professional experience for the summer.
- Juniors hone their interests and focus on pursuing research or a summer internship, often supported by alumni. Advisers coach students on strengthening interviewing and networking skills. Students take advantage of opportunities provided through Colgate to build industry-based skills and knowledge.
- Seniors focus on applying for employment, graduate or professional school, and fellowships. Leveraging the knowledge and skills they built throughout their time at Colgate, they are poised to evaluate offers for a fit with their academic and career interests and personal needs — and ultimately, to launch their postgraduate career with confidence.
This is What Success Looks Like
Career development at Colgate means building relationships, not just a résumé. Students who engage with Career Services are greeted with abundant knowledge and opportunity with more than 200 formal recruiting partners including Amazon, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Goldman Sachs, Google, Mass General Hospital, National Geographic, NBCUniversal, and Teach For America.
Through the four-year career development plan, students leave Colgate with the understanding, confidence, skills, and experience needed to cultivate rewarding professional lives.
