Houghton College Career Services

"There are all different kinds of voices calling you to all different kinds of work, and the problem is to find out which is the voice of God rather than that of society, say, or the super ego, or self interest..." The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

from Frederick Buechner's Wishful Thinking - A Theological ABC

 

The Career Services Mission is twofold:

1)  To promote the value of a liberal arts education as it relates to employment, and

2)  to contribute to the teaching mission of the college by preparing students to enter their chosen vocations directly or through further professional or graduate studies.

In fulfilling these purposes Career Services provides the following:

Mission

Career Counseling & Planning

Preparing Liberal Arts Students for Careers

Job Preparation

Job Search Resources

 Consultations & Networks

Houghton College Post-Graduation Follow-up Survey

 

CAREER COUNSELING & PLANNING

Key Elements in Career Choices

Knowledge of one's values, goals, skills, interests, and personality is fundamental to a wise career choice. Whether selecting courses for a semester, choosing a major, or deciding a career path, self awareness is critical. 

An understanding of the world of work is essential for finding a place where an individual's knowledge and gifts can be used.  Knowledge of occupations can be gleaned from career literature, informational interviews, and working part-time or volunteering in a career field.

The knowledge of one's personal values, goals, skills, interests, and personality is fundamental to any wise career choice. Whether selecting courses for a semester, choosing a major, or deciding on a career path, self awareness is critical. 

Through a variety of testing instruments and interviews, students are assisted in this process.  Moreover, through career counseling, students are encouraged to expand their vision of career by considering their relationship to God, family, Christian community, and society at large.  Practice in making decisions is emphasized. 

Career Services provides resource materials of career information, internships, and summer opportunities, plus additional information regarding graduate and professional schools.

These additional Career Planning Links are included for your convenience.

PREPARING LIBERAL ARTS STUDENTS for Careers

WHAT CAN I DO WITH THIS MAJOR?  This is perhaps the most common question that students ask.  To help answer this, "What Can I Do With This Major?"  is a new resource available through Career Services, as well as a variety of books including "How to Choose a College Major" and "College Majors and Careers."  In addition, our library contains many job and career-specific resources. 

Two series of books focusing on a variety of careers and jobs are now available for sign out in the Career Services.  Come in ask about "Great Jobs In . . ." and "Opportunities In . . ."

Unsure?  Students who are unsure about what to major in can stop at the hallway kiosk to pick up a handout; "No, I Don't Have A Major!"  This brief guide offers helpful hints about several ways a student can channel their search efforts.  And of course, students can always schedule an appointment with their advisor or the Director of Career Services for a one to one discussion.

Another way to learn about a specific job or field is to ask someone who already works in it.  One way to do this is by "Conducting an Informational Interview."  To learn more, pick up a handout from the Career Services office or hallway kiosk.

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE . . . Career Services has placed both of these handouts on-line.  Just click here to visit the Helpful Handouts directory.
 

POST GRADUATION SURVEY

Career Services conducts an Annual Survey of Houghton College Graduates approximately one year after graduation  to gain insight into the Employment & Graduate School endeavors of recent Houghton College alumni.  In addition to the overall statistics on our graduate placement, information is provided on the graduates of each academic department, including their job title, employer, and graduate schools selected.

Placement Survey Summary - 2003

Placement Survey Summary - 2004

Post Graduate Survey Summary - 2005

Annual Follow-up Survey of Houghton Graduates
(summary of employment and graduate school status of graduates, 1994-2002)

JOB PREPARATION

Learning how to write effective resumes, application letters, and graduate essays, along with preparing for interviews are two aspects of the job seeking process that require expertise and practice.  Click here for Helpful Handouts, Career Services' on-line resource of handouts, also available in the office or the hallway kiosk.

Career Services provides workshops and skills training in these areas, as well as one to one review of documents, and Mock Interviews.  In addition, we have numerous books and videos that will  help to define and clarify these for the individual.

Visit the Job Preparation page.
 

JOB SEARCH RESOURCES

Career Services subscribes to a variety of directories and employment newsletters to assist students in locating employment. 

Referral networks, placement bulletins, and cooperative efforts with the Alumni Office regarding resume referrals are some of the ways students are informed of employment opportunities. 

Connect with Job Search Services page.

Connect with Job Bulletin.
 

CONSULTATIONS and NETWORKS

The Career Services Director serves as a resource person to faculty for classroom presentations and academic advising.

Additionally, the Director is an active member of the Western New York Association of College Career Centers WYNACCC (formerly the Niagara Frontier College Placement Association) and the TwinTier Consortium.  These two professional groups of career counselors in western New York sponsor career fairs for their students and alumni.

Students and Alumni are also encouraged to visit the On-Line Community and other services sponsored by the Alumni Office.

 

~ Mission & Services ~  Career Services Staff ~
 ~ Career Library & Resources ~  Workshops & Events ~ Internships ~
~ Graduate School Planning ~
~ Job Preparation ~ Job Search Services ~ Job Bulletin ~
 ~ Alumni Services ~ Employer Services ~
~ Student Life Office ~ Houghton College Homepage ~

~ Career Services Homepage ~

Comments? Questions? Please email us.