Joining a career community will allow you to explore possible careers while gaining the skills you’ll need to hit the ground running.
As a community member, you’ll participate in workshops with faculty, staff, and alumni in that career sector while receiving course credit. Best of all, you’ll obtain in a paid summer internship that will get you started in your field of interest.
The fall and spring programs include both of these components, but they differ in the way the internships are implemented.
Eligibility
Career communities are open to juniors and seniors. If you are a sophomore student interested in working on your career and academic plan, we recommend that you explore the SOAR (Sophomore Opportunities and Academic Resources) program.
Application Process
After you review the available communities and decide which one you would like to join, you must complete the application by Tuesday, January 14 at 11:59 p.m. If you are offered membership in the career community, you will need to accept or decline the offer by January 28, 2020.
Your Commitment
Students who are accepted to join a career community must enroll in a 1-credit cocurricular course and complete a paid summer internship. The course will meet five times during the semester. If you are at your credit limit, the per semester limit will be waived for this 1-credit cocurricular course.
Workshops
Each career community will conduct six workshops during the semester.
Career Communities Workshop Schedule
| Community | Spring '20 Schedule |
|---|---|
| Arts and Creative Professions | Fridays, 2:30-4:20 p.m. 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/6, and 3/13 |
| Business, Finance, and Consulting | Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 to 9:50 a.m. 2/12, 2/14, 2/19, 2/21, 2/26, 2/28, 3/4, 3/6, 3/11, 3/13, 3/18, and 3/20 |
| Education | Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/3, 3/10, and 3/17 |
| Law and Public Policy | Wednesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/4, 3/11, and 3/18 |
| Medical, Public, and Global Health Professions | Fridays, 2:30-4:20 p.m. 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/6, and 3/13 |
| Non-Profit and the Public Sector | Mondays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/2, 3/9, and 3/16 |
| Science and Technology | Wednesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/4, 3/11, and 3/18 |
Workshop Topics
The career communities will offer the following workshops, tailored to each sector.
- Discover Your Path: Clarify potential pathways, identify informative experiences, and synergize learning inside and outside the classroom.
- Connect to Major and Course Selection: Develop synergies between courses, internships, and employment opportunities.
- Improve Your Communication Skills: Develop your self-introduction and communication skills to establish connections and leave a positive impression.
- Build Your Network: Focus on maximizing opportunities to connect with potential colleagues, mentors, and employers.
- Articulate Your Value: Develop the skills to communicate to future employers about your experiences.
Summer Internships
The capstone of the career communities is the summer internship. All participants are expected to complete an internship.
Students in the fall track will receive guaranteed funding towards a high-quality internship related to their career community field. These students are expected to find that opportunity on their own, utilizing the networking skills and contacts they’ve developed in the program. In the spring track, students will be matched with an alum or parent to complete a financially supported internship that aligns with their interests.
After you complete your internship, your commitment will be fulfilled—but you will always be part of the career community that you joined and have access to support from peers, faculty, staff, alumni and Oberlin parents who are part of the community.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding Oberlin’s career communities, please see the FAQ or contact Dana Hamdan, Associate Dean of Students and Executive Director of the Career Development Center.