Frequently Asked Questions for Parents & Students

• Interships and Career Development
• Graduate and Professional Schools
• About the Office of Internships & Career Development
• Ways Parents can Help

Interships and Career Development

Are internships available to students?

Emmanuel College has a very active internship program; approximately 80% of Emmanuel students participate in at least one internship during their undergraduate studies. Many of the majors offered at Emmanuel include an academic internship component as part of their major requirements, allowing students to apply the principles and theories they've studied in their classes to an actual work environment, usually during their senior year.

Prior to interning, students must enroll in and complete the Pre-Internship & Career Planning Seminar offered by the I/CD. This seminar meets five times during the semester and covers important career-related topics such as cover letter and resumé preparation, networking, job search resources, interviewing and more. Once they have completed this seminar, students are able to complete an academic internship. Students who would like additional internship experience or would like to begin interning sooner than senior year may also complete a Level One or "Mini" Internship.

What percentage of students have jobs after graduation? How helpful are internships in the job search?

 In the two months following graduation, approximately 55% of the Class of 2005 are employed in full-time positions or accepted into graduate programs. Internships often play a significant role in seniors' post-graduate plans; over the past several years, approximately one third of the graduating seniors who report full-time job offers received those offers through their internship site.

What are some typical career paths for Emmanuel grads?

Emmanuel's 37 majors and minors allow students to explore countless career paths. Many of our graduates go on to successful careers in education, business and finance, healthcare and science, publishing, public affairs and government, and non-profits.

What are some good career-related books or websites for my child/self?

For parents:

• The Parent's Crash Course in Career Planning: Helping your College Student Succeed by Marcia Harris and Sharon Jones, 1996
• How to help your child land the right job (without being a pain in the neck) by Nella Barkley, 1993
• Career Coaching Your Kids: Guiding Your Child through the Process of Career Discovery by David H. Montross

For students:

• www.mymajors.com
• www.careerkey.org
• www.rileyguide.com

How can I learn about upcoming career programs and events that might be of interest to my son/daughter?

If you would like to access the same online job and career event job listings that your son/daughter has access to, just contact the I/CD and we'll provide you with a user ID and password.

Graduate and Professional Schools

What kind of assistance does Emmanuel provide to students applying to grad school?

The I/CD works with the Academic Resource Center (ARC) to provide students with resources as they begin the process of researching and applying to graduate programs. Workshops, discussion panels and extensive graduate program directories are all available to students as they consider graduate school. Faculty members are also active in advising students on graduate studies. Such support includes faculty advisory boards for health and medical studies as well as law school.

About the Office of Internships & Career Development

What does the Office of Internships & Career Development do?

The Office of Internships & Career Development (I/CD) assists students with all stages of their career and post-graduate planning, including (but not limited to): major selection, career paths appropriate for particular majors, skills and interest assessments, resume and cover letter preparation, job-searching and interviewing skills, etc. The office also maintains an online listing of part-time, full-time and summer jobs exclusively available to Emmanuel students and alums. This online listing also provides information about upcoming career programs that take place on Emmanuel's campus as well as in the surrounding community. The I/CD also assists students with identifying potential internship sites and offers a Pre-Internship & Career Planning Seminar each semester, which is required of all students participating in Emmanuel's internship program.

What majors are most "desirable" by employers?

We have seen graduates from all of the disciplines offered at Emmanuel College succeed in the workplace. According to employers, more important than the major they select are the skills students gain from a liberal arts education, as well as the practical experience they gain from part-time and summer jobs, internships, and student activities; employers tell us that the top ten skills and qualities they seek most often in new college graduates are as follows:

• Verbal and written communication skills
• Strong work ethic Analytical abilities
• Flexibility/Adaptability
• Attention to detail
• Honesty & integrity
• Interpersonal Skills
• Teamwork skills
• Motivation/Initiative
• Computer Skills

Of the twenty candidate qualities employers listed as most important to them, a student's particular major did not appear on the list. [Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2005]

When can/should students begin using the I/CD's services?

The resources provided by the I/CD are available to all students beginning in their freshman year. In the early stages of career planning, we assist many students in identifying appropriate majors based on skills, interests and goals. We also provide underclass students with information about the various career paths available to them with a particular major. We encourage students to familiarize themselves with all the I/CD has to offer early in their college career!

Can the I/CD help Emmanuel students find a part-time or summer job?

The I/CD manages an online listing of full-time, part-time and summer jobs that students can access from any networked computer on-campus or off-campus via the internet. Alumni are also granted access to these listings.

Ways Parents can Help

Are there ways I can help the I/CD as the parent of a student?

Definitely! You may want to consider sponsoring an intern at your place of business. We also encourage parents who are responsible for the hiring function within their organizations to post open positions (full-time, part-time, or seasonal) with our office. Contact the I/CD at 617-735-9930 to learn more about how we can work together!