Senior Launch Series

The Senior Launch Series will help the Class of 2022 meet the demands of the current moment as they prepare to graduate and pursue future opportunities.
The COVID-19 pandemic and renewed calls for racial justice have dramatically shifted the professional landscape that graduating seniors will shortly enter. The Senior Launch Series for the 2021-2022 academic year is a hybrid program that consists of both in-person and virtual workshops and panels focusing on key career development areas, from resumes and cover letters to crafting a digital image and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Monthly Career Readiness Workshops and Panels
Senior year is an exciting and very busy time. Planning and preparation will allow you to make the most of your senior year so that you can feel prepared, informed, and ready to launch after graduation. The workshops and sessions listed below throughout October will set you up for success.
Senior Preparation and Planning
As you begin your final year at Oberlin, you may be worried about what you’ll do after graduation, and how you should prepare for the next part of your journey. This session will provide you with support and a timeline for your career development and planning so that you can best navigate your senior year and beyond.
- When: Tuesday, October 12, 7:00-8:00 p.m. EDT
- Where: Zoom (register below to receive the link)
Wellness and Burnout
We face stress in many areas of our lives, and stress in our careers is no exception. Career-related stress, combined with the unprecedented chronic stress from the pandemic and life’s many other responsibilities, can lead to burnout. This session will introduce strategies to manage and cope with career-related stress and burnout.
- When: Thursday, October 21, 4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT
- Where: Dye Lecture Hall, Science Center A162
Grad School Drop-In Sessions (Virtual)
The graduate school planning, application, and selection process can be challenging, but the Career Development Center is here to help! Drop in to discuss planning, school selection, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and any other questions you may have.
- When: Wednesday, October 27 and Thursday, October 28, 12:00-1:00 p.m. EDT
- Where: Zoom (register for a session to receive the link)
Throughout your time at Oberlin, you have had a number of accomplishments and experiences that are now part of your story. As you prepare to launch, it will be important to be able to weave these accomplishments and experiences into your narrative. These workshops will provide insight and advice on how to tell your unique story to employers and graduate schools.
Refining Your Personal Statement
The personal statement is a key component of your graduate school application. This session will cover how you can refine your personal statement so that your application will stand out among the rest.
- When: Monday, November 1, 12:00-1:00 p.m. EDT
- Where: King 106
Resumes - Good to Great
This workshop will cover the differences between a good resume and a great resume. You will have the opportunity to tailor your current resume to your particular field of interest and receive peer feedback.
- When: Tuesday, November 9, 4:00-5:00 p.m. EST
- Where: Dye Lecture Hall, Science Center A162
Crafting a Compelling Cover Letter
Cover letters provide you with an opportunity to outline how your skills and experiences align with the employer’s needs as outlined in a position description. This workshop will demonstrate how to develop cover letters that complements your resume and demonstrates how your skills meet the needs of your desired position.
- When: Thursday, November 11, 4:00-5:00 p.m. EST
- Where: Dye Lecture Hall, Science Center A162
As you approach graduation, managing the job search process becomes ever more important. There are several elements to the job search: applications, developing a job search strategy, building an online presence, and building and reaching out to your network. These workshops will provide you with guidance and resources for planning your job search, networking, and developing your LinkedIn profile so that you can successfully launch your career after graduation.
Authentic Networking
Networking is all about building connections and relationships. This workshop will offer practical tips and strategies for how to introduce yourself to various audiences in different settings and how to build authentic connections with alumni and potential employers in your career field of interest.
- When: Wednesday, December 1, 4:00-5:00 p.m. EST
- Where: Craig Auditorium, Science Center N292
Navigating the Job Search Process & Final Semester Planning
The job search process can be difficult to manage. This workshop will share key steps in navigating the job search process, including how and where to find jobs, essential job search tools and strategies, and how to make the process more manageable.
- When: Thursday, December 9, 12:00-1:00 p.m. EST
- Where: King 106
Register for Job Search/Final Semester Planning
LinkedIn and Personal Branding
In today’s professional environment, making intentional decisions about your digital image and online presence is both necessary and sometimes difficult. One of the main ways to represent yourself during the job search is through your LinkedIn profile. This workshop will review how to update your resume and LinkedIn profile with your most recent experiences, develop language that you can use to articulate yourself professionally and effectively on LinkedIn, and use LinkedIn to help you launch after Oberlin.
- When: Tuesday, December 14, 4:00-5:00 p.m. EST
- Where: Zoom (register to receive the link)
OPT Workshop
This session is designed for international students holding an F-1 visa. This session will cover OPT regulations and an overview of the OPT application process. You will learn how to address questions about OPT with potential employers.
- When: Monday, February 28, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
- Where: Wilder 208
March: Interviewing with Confidence
Interviewing skills are often the difference between getting the job interview versus getting the job offer. This session will explore what to expect in a job/internship interview and learn how best to prepare. You will learn concrete strategies to create authentic interview answers that powerfully demonstrate the specific strengths you bring to each opportunity. The workshop will last one hour. The second hour will be dedicated to drop-in advising.
- When: Sunday, March 6, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
- Where: Dye Lecture Hall
Register for Interviewing with Confidence
April: Conversation with President Ambar
Starting a new job is exciting! However, integrating into a new environment and team, navigating your transition and onboarding, and managing expectations can be stressful. This session with President Ambar will cover how to achieve success and make a positive impact during your first ninety days on the job.
- When: Sunday, April 24, 2022, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
- Where: Dye Lecture Hall
How to Get a Professional Headshot
As a gift to celebrate their graduation, the Career Development Center is offering a professional headshot to seniors who complete all of the following:
- Attend the Conversation with President Ambar on April 24, 2022
- Attend the Interviewing with Confidence workshop on March 6, 2022
- Complete the Senior Survey at the end of the year
Please contact us at ocareers@oberlin.edu with any questions about the program schedule.
Job and Gap Year Search Resources
The Career Development Center curates several lists of post-graduation opportunities. Click the links below to learn more:
Service & Gap Year Opportunities
Career Communities - visit community page(s) of interest to view resources
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