Job Description

College is all about making proactive steps toward the future. While students are busy with classes, homework, socializing, athletics, or working part-time jobs, it’s equally important for them to also focus on preparing for their careers after graduation.

At Carthage, we make it easy for students to learn about job opportunities and build a professional network. With the support of faculty, staff, alumni, and The Aspire Program, our students are not only prepared to graduate but are also well-equipped to thrive in their chosen fields. With these advantages, many Carthage students even land jobs before they graduate.

Take a look at five ways students can gain career connections in college:

1. Create bonds with professors

Many instructors have real-world experience and connections of their own with employers. You never know the opportunities you can be offered by showing your potential to your professors.

At Carthage, students engage in a personal learning environment, with the average student-to-professor ratio being 13:1. With small class sizes, professors can get to know each student personally and form a bond to help them advance in their chosen industry. Additionally, each student is assigned a faculty advisor for their major, whom they meet with throughout their college career. Faculty advisors are notorious for helping students find internships that give them the experience to pursue their dream careers.

“The relationships I’ve built with faculty members have opened doors to research opportunities, mentorship, and a deeper understanding of my chosen fields. These connections have not only expanded my knowledge, but also provided me with a network of mentors who genuinely care about my success.” — Summer Zilisch ’26

2. Connect with alumni

Connecting with alumni is a great way to step into the workforce. Alumni can offer students insights into their chosen industry, advice, mentorship, and potential job opportunities.

Carthage hosts many alumni panels that students can attend to engage in discussions with graduates and learn more about their potential career paths. The Aspire Program, the College’s career development program, also offers alumni mentoring for current students, in which students can sign up to meet with a graduate within a field related to their major.

“Carthage has so many connections to firms and alumni that finding internships is easy.” — Emma Thistle ’25

3. Attend meet-and-great events

Meet-and-greet events with business insiders are great ways for students to gain knowledge of different career fields and develop professional relationships. Whether students want to feel out the market, learn about a specific company, or discover job openings, exploration sessions can help students find a company they like and begin a professional relationship with them.

Throughout the year, The Aspire Program hosts events in which students can meet with major local companies. Past organizations have included: Abbott, Aurora Healthcare, Deloitte, Northwestern Mutual, Uline, U.S. Department of State, and more.

“Carthage’s Aspire Center and its staff members were by far the most helpful resource in securing my upcoming summer internship with Abbott. My success is a testament to the center’s effectiveness and its mission to help the Carthage student body navigate their career and professional goals.” — Carter Pettey ’26

4. Go to career fairs

College career fairs are an accessible way for students to meet with employers, see what jobs are in the market, and check out job and internship opportunities. Students can have face-to-face contact with hiring managers from various companies, allowing them to exercise their interviewing skills and create lasting connections.

Carthage holds multiple career fairs every academic year. Fairs for all majors are hosted twice a semester, with smaller events for specific majors arranged throughout the year.

“The career fairs set up by The Aspire Center have been very helpful. Almost every internship I’ve had was from attending one of the career fairs.” — Will Jost ’25

5. Apply for internships

Internships are an excellent way for college students to gain valuable experience without the commitment to a career. Students can explore different jobs, learn new skills, and create a strong professional network with people who can refer them to other companies once they graduate. Students might also intern at a company they enjoy and can advance to a higher position once they graduate!

The Aspire Program at Carthage equips students with all the necessary tools to join an internship.Students can meet with their career specialist to look at potential companies, build and review resumes, create their LinkedIn and Handshake profiles, and answer any questions and concerns the student may have regarding applying for a job.

“I used The Aspire Center, and they helped me get my first real job as a paid intern for the City of Racine as a digital navigator. They helped me list my skills, write out my goals for the future, prepare for the career fair, how to send thank you notes to the business who contacted me.” — Azariah Oates ’27

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