“Career readiness is the foundation upon which a successful career is launched.” (NACE, 2021)
At Merrimack College, students will gain the skills necessary for a successful post-graduate career and future educational endeavors. Student growth and development is foundational to the work of the O’Brien Center for Career Development and all career development professionals on campus.
Utilizing our current strategic plan, the Agenda for the Future, we are working towards:
Increasing the number and quality of internships/co-ops for undergraduate and graduate students from Fortune 500 companies and leading nonprofit organizations.
Improving knowledge, understanding, skills and cultural competency by providing education and training for faculty, staff and students in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Focusing on undergraduate career preparedness and workplace competencies by providing students in all undergraduate majors with opportunities and resources to help them secure post-graduate employment (e.g., the Internship Institute, professional development retreats and cooperative education).
All career development partners support students in building strength and competence in the following areas defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) to connect career readiness to all areas of student life and success.
Our goal is simple – to help students identify their skills, articulate them to future employers or graduate school programs and ultimately support them in landing the post-graduate endeavor which is most meaningful to them.
Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.
Ways to Build Competency at Merrimack
- Attend career development events such as panels, networking events, career fairs and more
- Use LinkedIn to connect with fellow Merrimack students and alumni – ask for informational interviews or informal mentorship opportunities
- Develop yourself through student organizations or experiential learning opportunities like pre-practicums, clinicals and preceptorships, internships, co-ops, job shadowing, and more
Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.
Ways to Build Competency at Merrimack
- Be an active listener and participant in class discussions, presentations and papers
- Take writing-intensive courses across the curriculum
- Consider visiting the Writing Center for support in continuing to build these skills
- Serve as a peer mentor, ambassador or tutor to your fellow students
- Attend different presentations, club meetings, and other events from any area of campus to learn more about different communication styles and cultural differences
- Look into opportunities to be involved in different Merrimack productions – on-stage, on MCTV, on WMCK Radio, and more
- Put this skill into practice at your experiential learning site to communicate effectively with supervisors, peers and clients
Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.
Ways to Build Competency at Merrimack
- Enroll in courses related to data and analysis across the curriculum which will help you to understand the what, why, where and when of the world
- Consider doing additional learning on LinkedIn Learning to further develop your critical thinking skills related to your field
- Become a strategic thinker when anticipating the needs of a project, team, or other life experience before it occurs
- Review past coursework, athletic games, and other experiences for areas of potential improvement in the future
- Debrief experiences with a peer or other trusted individual to discuss the areas of potential improvement
- Develop yourself through student organizations or experiential learning opportunities like pre-practicums, clinicals and preceptorships, internships, co-ops, job shadowing, and more.
Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist practices that actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism.
Ways to Build Competency at Merrimack
- Enroll in courses related to diversity, inclusion and cultural understanding across the curriculum which will help you to understand the who, what, why, where and when of the world
- Volunteer or seek engagement opportunities within the local Lawrence community to get to know the culture and community in which you are a member
- Attend or participate in cultural organizations and events on campus to seek new or reinforce your existing knowledge
- Join the Unity in Diversity Days each semester to learn about unique populations
- Find ways to be a supportive ally to your peers, mentors and others around you
Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.
Ways to Build Competency at Merrimack
- Get involved and seek out different leadership opportunities such as chairing a committee or being an elected leader in student organizations
- Serve as a peer mentor, ambassador or tutor to your fellow students
- Become a strategic thinker when anticipating the needs of a project, team, or other life experience before it occurs
- Consider doing additional learning on LinkedIn Learning to further develop your leadership skills related to your field
Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.
Ways to Build Competency at Merrimack
- Create a plan for how to develop this skill and others for future implementation in your career path
- Develop yourself through student organizations or experiential learning opportunities like pre-practicums, clinicals and preceptorships, internships, co-ops, job shadowing, and more
- Determine where you may need to make decisions on prioritizing activities or other commitments
Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.
Ways to Build Competency at Merrimack
- Participate in athletics at any level – varsity, club or intramural
- Develop yourself through student organizations or experiential learning opportunities like pre-practicums, clinicals and preceptorships, internships, co-ops, job shadowing, and more
- Be an active member of group projects in all settings
Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.
Ways to Build Competency at Merrimack
- Consider doing additional learning on LinkedIn Learning to further develop your technical skills related to your field
- Become a proficient user on specialized technologies and systems related to your field
