Career Development and Calling

Office of Career Development and Calling 651.638.6460 | career-development@bethel.edu | bethel.edu/career-development

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR STUDENT’S COLLEGE EXPERIENCE We recognize that a Bethel education is a huge investment, which is why we want to partner with you to ensure your investment yields a valuable return. The Office of Career Development and Calling strives to provide support for your student using tools and opportunities that promote growth throughout his/her time here and success in life beyond Bethel. We exist to support your student with career strategies and exploration because we understand that knowing what to do with your education is just as important as the degree itself.

Our staff facilitates conversations about career discernment, strategic planning towards calling, and skill building in acquiring career opportunities. We provide a variety of services such as vocational assessments, resume/cover letter building skills, networking and internship strategies, and others that cater to the needs of students and alumni in various stages of their career journey. We also intentionally create events designed to build these skills and host many employers at Bethel to inspire connections.

HOW YOU CAN PARTNER WITH US • Help your student understand the importance of networking. Building relationships with professionals can be critical in your student’s career development. Not sure where to begin? The Office of Career Development and

Calling can provide your student with a variety of starting points. • Encourage your student to visit our office. Research at Bethel supports that those who visit the Office of Career Development and Calling are 25 percent more likely to graduate. We instill a sense of confidence in students and prepare them for career success after graduation—facilitating connections with other alums working in their desired field and helping to identify job opportunities. • Listen to your student and create space for your student to talk about career uncertainties. The pressure of deciding early and correctly can be overwhelming.

Remind him or her that it isn’t necessary to plan out a whole career path while still in college. • Emphasize the value of acquiring relevant experience. Students who have multiple internships on their resume often stand out to employers. Internships give students an opportunity to explore their prospective field, build critical skills, and network. Encourage your student to pursue career-relevant internships as early as the summer after sophomore year to maximize opportunities for growth.