Unleash Your Potential: The Fall Career Fair awaits!

Attention, students! Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey towards your future career? Well, look no further! The upcoming Fall Career Fair is just around the corner, brimming with opportunities waiting to be explored. So, dust off your resumes, polish your networking skills, and get ready to make your mark in the professional world!

Why Attend the Fall Career Fair?

  1. Discover Your Passion: The Fall Career Fair is a treasure trove of diverse employment prospects, offering a multitude of industries, companies, and organizations. By attending, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities and can explore various fields that align with your interests, passions, and skills. This is the perfect chance to dive into a career path that truly excites you.
  2. Connect with Potential Employers: Imagine having the opportunity to engage with recruiters, hiring managers, and professionals from your dream companies, all under one roof! Attending the Career Fair allows you to establish valuable connections that could lead to internships or even full-time employment. So, dress to impress, bring your confidence, and make a lasting impression on potential employers.
  3. Gather Information: To help you prepare for the event, we have a valuable resource ready for you. Check out the digital version of the Student Packet to gain access to detailed information about the employers attending the Career Fair. Armed with this knowledge, you can tailor your approach and stand out from the crowd.
  4. Sharpen Your Networking Skills: The Fall Career Fair is a prime opportunity to practice and improve your networking skills. Engage in meaningful conversations with professionals, ask insightful questions, and showcase your unique qualities. Remember, networking is not just about collecting business cards; it’s about building authentic connections that can pave the way to future success.

The Fall Career Fair is much more than just a gathering of employers and job seekers—it’s an event brimming with immense potential and possibilities. Attending this fair could be the first step towards landing your dream job or finding an exciting internship opportunity. So, mark your calendars (Wednesday September 27th from 5:30-7:30 PM in the Haworth Hotel), do your research using our resource, and prepare to impress employers with your skills and enthusiasm. Unleash your potential and let the Fall Career Fair launch you on a path to success!

Career Services and the Christian Mission of Hope College

As we approach the fifth anniversary of the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career, I’m grateful for the new staff, new space, and new programs that we’ve assembled to benefit our students. In addition, we’ve launched new initiatives related to multiple facets of career services during this time. However, I’m most excited about how the addition of the word “Calling” into the name of our office drove us to fully embrace the Christian mission of Hope College.

Like all of our colleagues across the campus, our office looks to the mission of Hope College to keep us anchored. We are here to “educate students for lives of leadership and service in a global society through academic and co-curricular programs of recognized excellence in the liberal arts and the context of the historic Christian faith.”  

In addition, we seek to live into the Christian aspirations of the college, striving to be faithful, welcoming, and transformational. As a particular area of focus for us, the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career intentionally lives into the transformational ideal:

Scripture urges us to “be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). The whole Hope community is encouraged in a life-long commitment to grow in God’s grace and to pursue vocations through which the world so loved by God is renewed.

Many students come to hope with this as their desire – to discern God’s will for their lives and pursue a vocation that makes our world better. And for the past five years, we have been leaning into this with our messaging and programming. When it comes to helping students find their calling, we focus on three key steps.

1.) Understand that your highest calling is to build God’s kingdom, and you have a lot of freedom in choices for a career.

Our staff teaches a lesson on this topic in every First Year Seminar class. We emphasize that God doesn’t have one selected career path that he’s keeping a secret from us. Instead, we can find a life of purpose and fulfillment through multiple work tracks and activities that we don’t get paid to do.

2.) Use the unique gifts and talents God has given you.

All incoming first-year students complete the Clifton Strengths assessment, which reveals their top five personality traits – things they are naturally good at. Then, students explore those strengths in their First Year Seminar class and through 1:1 personalized appointments with staff members at the Boerigter Center. When students graduate and do things they are good at and interested in, their work becomes purposeful. In addition, they live out the Biblical direction for us to use our different gifts according to the grace given to each of us (Romans 12:4-8).

3.) Use your available resources to make career decisions.

When given the freedom to make career choices that tap into their talents and interests, many students may still be overwhelmed with multiple options. We offer additional career interest tools such as PathwayU for further research. Our alumni are eager to connect and provide advice through the Hope College Connection and our DiscoverWork job shadowing program. God never intended for us to make decisions alone. We enjoy working with students every day through the discernment process.

At the Boerigter Center, it’s truly a privilege to serve students during this important stage of life. Additionally, we frequently engage with alumni who find new passions and interests and explore a new career paths. We are excited to continue this work and do our part to contribute to the Christian mission of Hope College.

Shonn Colbrunn – Executive Director, Boerigter Center for Calling and Career

Watch our Faith and Calling Video Series for more information on how we talk about following God’s will for our lives.

2023 Summer Career Accelerator

It’s time. You’ve selected a major and are itching to fast-track the career preparation process. You are ready to stand out, get noticed by top employers in your field, and get ahead of the pack for job and internship applications this fall. Let’s make it happen.

Top 6 Reasons to Apply for the Summer Career Accelerator

  1. Summer is a perfect time. Whether you are working, traveling, or taking a class, you will still be much less busy than in a typical semester. Expect about a three-hour time commitment per week.
  2. You can work around your schedule. All activities and assignments can be done on your own time and at your own pace, except for our half-day Employer Showcase, which is when…
  3. You will learn about and meet representatives from key organizations that recruit Hope students. Employers are eager to hire students of all majors, and there are many that specifically recruit at Hope. Do you know who they are? You will learn about them and be able to introduce yourself at our virtual Employer Showcase in mid-June.
  4. You will earn a highly relevant micro-credential. Learn a skill that is in demand in the workforce right now, and list it on your résumé. It’s a great addition to your Hope College degree. See the list of micro-credentials below.
  5. You will also have a dedicated Hope staff or faculty member as your personal coach. They will review your work and advise you throughout the program via email and virtual meetings.
  6. There is no cost to you if you complete the program. When we start the program, we will charge $250 to your student account. This charge will be removed if you finish the program by August 24. In addition, you will receive a $30 gift from the Hope Bookstore to reward you as you progress through the summer!

Program Schedule

April 5 – 25
Application period. You will be notified of your status by April 28.

May 8 – June 9
Career Prep Fundamentals (15 hours – online, self-paced)
You will work through a series of foundational career prep activities with your personal coach:

  • Creating/polishing your résumé, online profile, and cover letter
  • Researching employers in your field of interest
  • Talking with Hope alumni who work in that field

Week of June 12

Employer Showcase (4 hours – online, scheduled time TBD)
You will get a chance to watch representatives from some of Hope’s key employer partners describe their organization and what it’s like to work there. You will also get to participate in online mini-interviews where you can introduce yourself to recruiters and express your interest in their organizations.

June 19 – August 24

Micro-Credential Options (online, self-paced)
You will work with your coach to select the option below that interests you most and is relevant. Upon completing the credential, you will be awarded a badge to add to your résumé and online profile.

  • Data Analytics & Visualization (45 hours) Data analysis is happening everywhere. Tableau is a software tool used in multiple industries and disciplines to visualize data in meaningful ways. Learning this software now gives you an advantage for future roles. Provided by Tableau.
  • Intercultural Fluency (12 hours) Intercultural fluency in the 21st century includes the capacity to operate and communicate in different cultural contexts. You will learn how to: recognize and challenge your own cultural biases; show curiosity; demonstrate self-awareness; and incorporate diverse perspectives. Students with these skills are in high demand in the workforce today. Provided by Education Design Lab.
  • Project Management (30 hours) Knowing the basics of project management will make you a valuable employee in any organization. The PMI Project Management Ready™ certification presents the tools needed to apply this knowledge to a wide range of career paths and to your day-to-day activities. Provided by Project Management Institute.

Questions? Email careers@hope.edu.

Sponsored by the Hope College Boerigter Center for Calling and Career and the Van Wylen Library.

Spring Recruiting Fair: Who is Attending?

Whether you are looking for summer work, hoping to land an interview for an internship or full-time job, or just looking to network and make professional connections, the Boerigter Center encourages you to attend the upcoming Spring Recruiting Fair. The fair will be held at the Haworth Hotel from 5:30-7:30pm on February 22nd.

Scroll through to find opportunities for your specific major or interest.

All Majors

Appledorn Assisted Living Centers (Caregiver, medication technician, LPN, Culinary)

Artists Creating Together (Early Childhood Arts Program Assistant, Nonprofit Administration Intern, Art Programs Intern, Social Media & Marketing Intern, Community Programs & Events Intern, Creative Cube (Mobile Art Studio) Intern, Development & Event Planning Intern) 

Beacon Hill Staffing Group (Staffing Consultant – Agency Recruiter)

Cintas Corporation (Management Trainee, Human Resources Trainee, Intern)

City Of Holland 

Community Action House (Food Rescue Manager, Temporary Staffing Reserve Associate, Development Associate, Communications Coordinator, Community Kitchen Associate Volunteers)

Creative Dining Services (Student Employees, Various Hospitality Opportunities

enFocus Consulting (2023 Summer Internship, enFocus Fellowship (Full-Time, Salaried with Benefits))

Escape Ministries (Youth Work Team Leader, Volunteer Tutor)

Fifth Wheel Freight (Logistics)

Fleetwood Group, Inc. (Summer Production Staff, Logistics Intern)

Geneva Camp and Retreat Center (Summer Staff)

GDK Construction

Holland Hospital (Housekeeping, Scheduler, Food Service)

Hope College On-Campus Employment (Events Staff) 

Hope Network

IKUS Life Enrichment Services (Camp Counselor, Life Skills Coach / Mentor)

LG Energy Solution Michigan Inc. (Production Operator)

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (Volunteers)

Mediation Services (Internships working with data, grant research, mediation follow-ups in relation to court and community dispute resolutions)

Memphis Teacher Residency (Education background not required)

One Collective (Turn your passions and talents into a sustainable ministry opportunity – domestic or international!)

PADNOS (Facilities Internship) 

Quality Car Wash (Team Members)
YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids

Art, Art History, Dance, Music, Theatre

Artists Creating Together (Early Childhood Arts Program Assistant, Nonprofit Administration Intern, Art Programs Intern, Social Media & Marketing Intern, Community Programs & Events Intern, Creative Cube (Mobile Art Studio) Intern, Development & Event Planning Intern) 

City Of Holland (Video Production Intern)

Evergreen Commons (Marketing/Communications Internship, Program Assistant)

Holland Museum (Summer Education Intern, Summer Youth and Engagement Intern, Summer Interpretive Specialist Intern, Summer Collections Intern, Summer Communications Intern) 

International Language House Japan (Performing Arts Teacher, English Teacher, Childcare Teachers) *Education background is not necessary, we train our staff to use their environment as tools to teach; combined with dancing, singing, and improvisational activities.

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (Marketing Internship) 

One Collective (Turn your passions and talents into a sustainable ministry opportunity – domestic or international!)
PADNOS (Marketing & Sales Intern, Marketing & Event Planning Internship)

English, History, Philosophy, Religion, World Languages & Cultures
American Ethnic Studies, Global Studies, Peace & Justice, Political Science

City Of Holland 

Community Action House (Food Rescue Manager, Temporary Staffing Reserve Associate, Development Associate, Communications Coordinator, Community Kitchen Associate, Volunteers)

enFocus Consulting (2023 Summer Internship, enFocus Fellowship (Full-Time, Salaried with Benefits))

Escape Ministries (Youth Work Team Leader, Volunteer Tutor)

Geneva Camp and Retreat Center (Summer Staff)

Holland Museum  (Summer Education Intern, Summer Youth and Engagement Intern, Summer Interpretive Specialist Intern, Summer Collections Intern, Summer Communications Intern) 

IKUS Life Enrichment Services (Life Skills Coach / Mentor)

International Language House Japan (English Teacher, Childcare Teachers) *Education background is not necessary

Mediation Services (Internships working with data, grant research, mediation follow-ups in relation to court and community dispute resolutions)

Memphis Teacher Residency (Education background not 

required)

Mill Steel Company (International Business, Non-Profit Management)

One Collective (Turn your passions and talents into a sustainable ministry opportunity – domestic or international!)
State of Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (Services Specialist (CPS/Foster Care) Opportunities Statewide)

Biology, Chemistry, Geology & Environmental Science
Global Health, Neuroscience, Nursing, Kinesiology/Exercise Science, Psychology, Social Work

Artists Creating Together (Early Childhood Assistant, Nonprofit Administration Internship)

Appledorn Assisted Living Centers (Caregiver, medication technician, LPN, Culinary)

City Of Holland 

Community Action House (Development Associate, Communications Coordinator, Food Rescue Manager, Temporary Staffing Reserve Associate, Development Associate, Community Kitchen Associate, Volunteers)

Corewell Health (Nurses, Social Workers, Digital Services Summer Internships: IT, Project Management, Data Analytics, and Business Assurance)

enFocus Consulting (2023 Summer Internship, enFocus Fellowship (Full-Time, Salaried with Benefits))

Evergreen Commons 

Geneva Camp and Retreat Center (Summer Staff)

Helix Scribe Solutions (Medical Scribe)

Holland Hospital (PCAs, RN, EVS, IT, MAs) 

Holland Museum (STEAM Learning Assistant)

Hope Network

IKUS Life Enrichment Services (Camp Counselor, Health Officer, Life Skills Coach / Mentor)

International Language House Japan (English Teacher, Childcare Teachers) *Education background is not necessary

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (Nurses, Medical Administration Intern, Referral Development Intern)

Mediation Services (Internships working with data, grant research, mediation follow-ups in relation to court and community dispute resolutions)

Mill Steel Company (Agriculture Business)

One Collective (Turn your passions and talents into a sustainable ministry opportunity – domestic or international!)

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services (RNs, Nurse Techs, Psychiatric Technicians, Social Workers) 

State of Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (Services Specialist (CPS/Foster Care) Opportunities Statewide, Registered Nurse Manager Recruit)

YMCA (Agricultural Programs Internship)

Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Math and Statistics

APEX Controls, Inc. (Controls System Engineer) 

Atomic Object

Community Action House (Financial Wellness Specialist, Development Associate, Business Operations Coordinator) 

Corewell Health (Digital Services Summer Internships: IT, Data Analytics)

enFocus Consulting (2023 Summer Internship, enFocus Fellowship (Full-Time, Salaried with Benefits)

Epic (Quality Manager, Project Manager, Trainer, Integration Engineer, Technical Solutions Engineer, Software Developer)

Fifth Wheel Freight (Logistics)

Fleetwood Group, Inc.(Logistics Intern)

Holland Hospital (IT) 

Holland Museum (STEAM Learning Assistant)

Innotec (Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer Intern, Electrical Engineer, Electrical Engineering Internship, Finance/ Accounting Intern)

LG Energy Solution Michigan Inc.(Electrical Engineering Intern, Mechanical Engineering Intern) 

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (Security Internship, Quality & Risk Internship)

Mill Steel Company (IT Internship and Help Desk Associate, Mechanical Engineering) 

One Collective (Turn your passions and talents into a sustainable ministry opportunity – domestic or international!)

PADNOS (Facilities Internship, Quality Lab Internship)
SoundOff Signal (Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Design)

Communication, Econ and Business

Artists Creating Together (Nonprofit Administration Intern, Social Media & Marketing Intern)

BDO USA LLP (Winter 2024 Tax Internship, Winter 2024 Audit Internship)

Beacon Hill Staffing Group (Staffing Consultant – Agency Recruiter)

City Of Holland 

Cintas Corporation (Management Trainee, Human Resources Trainee, Intern)

Creative Dining Services (Accounting Clerk)

Community Action House (Financial Wellness Specialist, Development Associate, Communications Coordinator, Business Operations Coordinator)

Corewell Health (Digital Services Summer Internships: Project Management, and Business Assurance)

enFocus Consulting (2023 Summer Internship, enFocus Fellowship (Full-Time, Salaried with Benefits))

Epic (Quality Manager, Project Manager, Trainer)

Evergreen Commons (Marketing/Communications Internship)

Fifth Wheel Freight (Logistics Consultant, Inside Sales Rep)

Fleetwood Group, Inc. (Logistics Intern)

Holland Museum (Communications Intern)

Hungerford Nichols CPAs + Advisors (2024 Tax Internship, Leaders in Training)

Innotec (Finance/ Accounting Intern)

JPMorgan Chase & Co (Investment Banking) 

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (Talent Acquisition Itnern, HR Intern, Marketing Intern, Medical Administration, Referral Development Intern)

Mediation Services (Internships working with data, grant research, mediation follow-ups in relation to court and community dispute resolutions)

Mercantile Bank of Michigan (Credit Analyst Internships)

Mill Steel Company (Accounting, Actuarial/Risk Analysis, Business Administration & Management, Business Analytics, Construction Management, Consulting, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance & Financial Management, Food Industry Management, Human Resources, Insurance, International Business, Management Science, Marketing, Non Profit Management, Operations Management, Real Estate, Retail & Hospitality Administration, Sales, Sport Business & Marketing, Supply Chain Management)

One Collective (Turn your passions and talents into a sustainable ministry opportunity – domestic or international!)

PADNOS (Facilities Internship, Facilities Audit Internship, Marketing & Sales Intern, Purchasing Internship, Continuous Improvement Internship, Marketing & Event Planning Internship)

Plante Moran (Audit or Tax – Intern (2024), 2023 Japanese Business Services Audit or Tax – Intern (Winter or Summer), Internal Accounting Intern – Summer 2023, State and Local Tax (SALT) Staff – Entry Level (2023), International Tax Services – Entry Level (2023), Audit or Tax – Entry Level Staff (2023), Tax Solutions Group Staff – Entry Level (2023)

SoundOff Signal (HR Intern)
UFP Industries (Sales Trainee – Rotational Program)

Education

Artists Creating Together (Early Childhood Arts Program Assistant, Art Programs Intern, Community Programs & Events Intern) 

enFocus (2023 Summer Internship, enFocus Fellowship (Full-Time, Salaried with Benefits))

Geneva Camp and Retreat Center

Holland Museum (Education Intern, STEAM Learning Assistant)

Hope Network

IKUS Life Enrichment Services (Camp Counselor, Health Officer, Life Skills Coach / Mentor)

International Language House Japan (English Teacher, Childcare Teachers, Performing Arts Teachers)

Memphis Teacher Residency

One Collective (Turn your passions and talents into a sustainable ministry opportunity – domestic or international!)
YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids

Who is Coming to the Fall Career & Internship Fair?

Please be sure to mark your calendars for the fall Career and Internship Fair on 9/28
This is one of very few opportunities to meet employers right here on campus on a large scale. There will be a variety of industries represented from both the public and private sector, nationally-recognized fortune 500 companies like Dow, JP Morgan Chase, Whirlpool, and Stryker, as well as some of the pillars of the Holland the community like Holland Hospital, Community Action House, Gentex, MillerKnoll, and the Outdoor Discovery Center. Check out the full fair line up and pre-register (not required) here.

Whether you are looking for your next summer internship, hoping to land an interview for a full-time job, or just looking to network and make professional connections, we encourage you to attend! 

So who might you want to connect with at the fair?

Art
Art History
Dance
Music
Theatre
Artists Creating Together
Chicago Semester
IES Abroad Internships
Stryker (Graphic Design Internship)
YMCA
English
History
Philosophy
Religion
World Languages & Cultures
American Ethnic Studies
Global Studies
Peace & Justice
Political Science
Chicago Semester
City of Wyoming
Community Action House
IES Abroad Internships
Mediation Services
MOKA | Empowering People with Disabilities
One Collective
State of Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
Wedgwood Christian Services
Biology
Chemistry
Geology & Environmental Science 
Global Health
Neuroscience
Nursing
Kinesiology/Exercise Science
Psychology
Social Work
Actalent (recruits for Pfizer)
Artists Creating Together
Chicago Semester
Comfort Keepers
Community Action House
Consumers Energy
Dow
enFocus
Holland Hospital
Hope Network
MOKA | Empowering People with Disabilities
The ODC Network
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
State of Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
Wedgwood Christian Services
Engineering
Computer Science
Physics
Math and Statistics
Atomic Object
Chicago Semester
Consumers Credit Union (Software Developer Internship)
Consumers Energy
Dow
enFocus
Gentex
GMB
Haworth
Holland Hospital
Innotec
JR Automation
K-Line Industries
Koops Inc.
MillerKnoll
The ODC Network
PADNOS 
SoundOff Signal
Spalding DeDecker
Stryker
Whirlpool
Communication
Econ and Business
Actalent
Artists Creating Together (Marketing Internship)
Beacon Hill Staffing Group
Chicago Semester
Cintas
City of Wyoming (Accounting Internship)
Community Action House
Consumers Credit Union
Consumers Energy
Creative Dining Services (Accounting Clerk)
Dow
EHTC
enFocus
Enterprise Holdings
Fifth Wheel Freight
Gentex
Gordon Food Service
Haworth
Holland Hospital
Hungerford Nichols
JPMorgan Chase
Koops Inc. (HR Internship)
Mercantile Bank
MillerKnoll
Modern Woodmen of America
New Holland Brewing
Northwestern Mutual
The ODC Network
PADNOS (Accounting Internship)
Plante Moran
Stryker 
Whirlpool
EducationArtists Creating Together
Chicago Semester
enFocus
Hope Network
IES Abroad Internships
The ODC Network
One Collective
Wedgwood Christian Services
YMCA

Summer Career Accelerator


What is it? The Summer Career Accelerator, sponsored by the Boerigter Center and the Van Wylen Library, is a program to help you jump start career preparation activities you may have been putting off. It will include hands-on learning activities, such as:

  • Researching career tracks and top employers in your field
  • Networking with alumni and others
  • Crafting a well-polished résumé, cover letter, and online profile
  • Earning micro-credentials in TableauSalesforce, and/or Intercultural Fluency (click on links for more info)
  • Completing early interviews with recruiters at key organizations

Who is it for? This program is geared toward current juniors, sophomores, and freshmen that have declared a major (in any discipline) and are ready to actively pursue internships and jobs next year. If you haven’t yet picked a major and are still undecided, no sweat. Plan on applying next summer.


When is it? The program starts May 9 and runs through August 11. Most activities will be self-paced on your own time, so you will be able to work around your job, studies, or research commitments. We will want you to hold the days of August 9, 10, and 11 for live online events involving events with Hope staff, alumni, and employers who want to meet you.


Where will it be held? This will be 100% virtual, so you can do it from wherever you are this summer. 


How does it work? Applications are due by 5:00pm on Monday, April 25, 2022. We will notify you shortly afterwards if you have been accepted. You will be charged $250 to your Hope student account as your way to commit to follow through on the program. The good news is that you get a FULL refund when you finish! In addition, if you complete all of the assignments by the end of June, you will get a $30 gift from the Hope Bookstore. You will not pay extra for the micro-credentials (Hope is covering those costs).


Why should I apply? Top organizations recruit for summer interns and new grads right away in the fall. We want you to stand out and be a prime candidate for those positions! This program will get you ready and give you a jump start for great opportunities for your future.

TL:DR Check Out a Brief Video About the Program

It is a Fulltime Job Looking for a Fulltime Job

Are you a senior who is looking for work? Then this is for you! Do you feel frustrated and overwhelmed with your job search? Are you not quite sure where to start or which direction to go? Does it feel like you are spending so much time yet getting nowhere? These are all normal feelings for those looking for work but if this is your first time seeking fulltime employment you may not know this. THERE IS HOPE, pun intended! There is a team of folks on campus who have years of experience doing just this-helping students and alumni process, plan and look for work. We are the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career. On April 7th from 5-6pm we are hosting a session for seniors. I will give you more details in a minute but first I want to tell you a story.

Long ago, in the ancient land of 1989 there was a soon to be Hope College graduate named Amy. She was a good student, had studied abroad, completed the Philadelphia Semester Program, had a Psychology/Sociology Composite major with an English minor, and a strong work ethic. It was March, two months until graduation, and she was ready to leave college and start adulting. BUT she had no idea how to do that!

She had a resume, compliments of the Philly Semester, so signed up for a couple of on-campus interviews. Nothing happened. She continued to search newspapers, remember, it’s 1989 so we still did that, and applied for a few random things. And got discouraged. She needed a plan. What were her goals? She knew she didn’t want to return home to the small south-central Michigan town she was from so what did she need to do to be independent?

First, she needed money and a place to live. Amy had a waitressing job so was able to add hours and start to cook to make more money. Second, she and a friend found an affordable brand-new apartment. They didn’t have much furniture and Amy didn’t have a bed, but it was a safe roof over her head. After two weeks of sleeping on the floor her dad drove to Holland and co-signed for her first credit card so she could purchase a bed. Success!

While she liked her waitressing job, she really did need to put her college education to the test and get a “big girl” job. Maybe her resume needed some tweaking. She paid $60, a lot of money back then, and had someone help her strengthen her resume and cover letter. She knew she wanted to help people so started randomly applying to non-profit faith-based organizations, finally managing to secure part-time work that included healthcare benefits three months after graduation. Success!

After 9 months of hard work and picking up a lot of extra shifts, she got promoted to a full-time salaried position. Success! She had also gained new friends through work and was able to move to Grand Rapids, where she was working, and live with a colleague. More success! Amy purchased her first car, joined a volunteer group and made more friends, and after a couple of years purchased her first home all by herself. Major success! The story goes on with changes in career paths, continued discernment of what that should look like, marriage, kids, graduate school, etc… Successes but not without some failures too. Believe it or not the failures, while hard, are often the most informative learning experiences; who knew! After graduate school she found herself called to return to Hope College where she works to help students find their life and career paths. The End… but not really.

I share this story as I am living proof you too will make this transition from college to career and the real world. It won’t be without bumps and it will be with successes and failures. Remember, success is defined differently for everyone so work on understanding what success means for you. The Boerigter Center for Calling and Career wants to help you navigate this process. We have our own stories and years and years of experience helping students continue the process of discerning next steps with regard to calling and career.

We invite you to attend a session on April 7 from 5-6pm in the Martha Miller Center Room 158 where you will hear about the process of job seeking and discerning and leave with import steps to take to be successful in this next chapter. Please use this Handshake link to sign up for this new event! We know you can be successful and want YOU to know we are here to help you step toward that success!

The Secret to Acing Your Next Interview

Interviews are a huge step toward landing a job, but the process is often accompanied by anxiety surrounding what to say, how to dress, or what steps to take after the interview. This week’s Career Camp focused on frequently asked interview questions and provided helpful tips from Dale Austin and Hope alumni, Morgan Seiler ’15. They covered a broad range of topics, beginning with how to dress and ending with closing remarks after the interview. 

Something that stood out in this presentation was the discussion on in-person and online or over-the-phone interviews. In today’s world, students must be ready for any interview format. The session did a great job of discussing various interview types and how students can best adapt. This Career Camp was great and left every participant with a feeling of preparedness and confidence to bring into their next interview.     

The Job & Internship Search

Hope’s Career Fair is right around the corner, and now is the time for students to begin preparing to meet employers and finding internships that align with their interests. This week’s Career Camp featured guest speaker, Niki Ramírez, from the Kellog Company and discussed the best ways for students to come into Career Fair confident and prepared to talk to employers. Niki highlighted the importance of networking, resume preparation, elevator pitches, and the steps to take after attending the Career Fair. 

A great way to prepare for conversations with employers is by researching their company to have a general overview of the company values as well as what positions they are looking to fill. Students should come dressed in business professional clothing and bring copies of a newly updated resume to hand out. Being confident and genuinely interested in a company is the best way to stand out and show employers you are excited to hear more about their company and potentially working with them. 

Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?

“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” is an ongoing question asked in interviews and opportunities by employers. In this Career Camp session of “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years,” Kamara Sudberry (’15) and Dr. Raquel Mendizábal Martell (’15) both encourage that the answer of this question can be identified in what each individual seeks for their future in terms of work-culture, values, and identity. We discussed the importance of workplace culture investigation and the purpose of corporate social responsibility. 

Dr. Raquel Mendizábal Martell (’15) suggests that seeking growth opportunities in the organization or company is also a method to answering this question. Touching back on the mission and value of the organization or company is also essential, says Kamara Sudberry. We were left to reflect on what is to come and what we will become stem from our awareness of what we want in the future.