Personalized Career Support

The Approach

Career support means building a relationship, not just a résumé. This philosophy is at the heart of Colgate’s four-year career development plan.

The success of students after college is directly tied to the decisions they make during it, and that requires much more than a career checklist. This is about culture. Career support is personal. And this is how Colgate distinguishes itself, with an entirely different level of commitment by a university.

The Colgate approach engages students early, embeds career support into the places they live and learn, and tailors it to the individuals they are. Colgate lets students find their way and their voice. It makes the career process less stressful and so much more manageable by guiding students on how and when to take certain steps. Yet it also demands that students participate in their choices through exploration, self-reflection, and involvement from their family.

The Colgate career approach is integrated into classrooms, clubs, and residential commons. It changes and grows each year, just as students do, to adapt to what they have experienced and what they need. The whole University is determined to help students know what questions to ask, where to get answers, and how to make smart choices all through their Colgate experience to set up a full, successful life after it.

Core Career Services

Colgate creates constant opportunities for students to understand how to connect their academics and interests to a fulfilling career direction — one that leads them to potential jobs, graduate school, or service.

The place that orchestrates and integrates this entire University effort is Colgate’s Career Services, a hub of personalized help. Colgate’s career team is larger than those of other liberal arts universities, which means more individual attention as students explore, prepare, and translate the liberal arts into a lifetime of meaningful work.

Colgate’s commitment to success after graduation is exemplified by the home it has created for career preparation: Benton Hall. Wired to match the speed and demands of today’s world, Benton Hall has the video capability and space to connect students, alumni, and employers around the globe.

This is also where students engage in career coaching and peer advising, develop job skills, network with alumni, and relax in conversation in the lounges. Colgate alumni and parents paid entirely for the $16.4 million facility, symbolizing the devotion of the Colgate community to the success of its students.

The Career Pathway

From their first semester on campus, Colgate students engage in a career pathway of their choosing, with room to explore but also a framework to help them stay on course.

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.

Reflecting on the last two years, juniors hone their interests and focus their efforts on pursuing a summer internship or research experience, 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 to graduate or professional school, fellowships, and employment. 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.