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Volume CXXXIII, Number 1 |
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EBear, Birch Trees, and Bridges: A look at
Bowdoin's Career Planning Center
EIDER GORDILLO
Staff Writer
On an island where "Liberal Arts" may be a cover-label for "not
really knowing what to do with yourself," there exists a saving grace
whose primary virtue is helping student make the transition into the work
world. The Bowdoin Career Planning Center (CPC), on the first floor of
Moulton Union, thrives on providing Bowdoin students with the knowledge
they need in order to establish themselves in a competitive world. It
is the kind of place where you, in dire cluelessness, can walk in and
find an array of brochures.
Beyond brochures and paper, the CPC offers career counseling
for people of all levels 1)you just came in and don't know what to do,
2)you called for an appointment to explore summer internships, 3)you simply
want to revel in the fact that you got a new job. This year their services
include counseling for summer internships, permanent jobs, local jobs,
grants and fellowships. Finding something that in some way jives with
your major can be a real challenge. The CPC offers career guidance in
many areas including arts, business, sciences, pre-law, education, pre-med,
and, of course, important decisions about graduate school. Gladly, all
counselors are available to help in all areas, though some will have specific
focuses.
Anne Shields, Director of Career Planning, realizes the
journey of pursuit is not easy. However, with intention and effort, the
journey becomes a little easier. "We are here to help students find
what is out there," Anne said. "14 years of school make it hard
to know what is really out in the work world."
According to the CPC's statistics, about 82% of students
use their services before their senior year. To further this effort, this
year the CPC has launched two new projects. One involves the internet,
EBear. EBear (www.bowdoin.edu/cpc)
permits you to set a profile of yourself, thus giving the CPC your perimeters
of interest. Thereafter, they may contact you about new jobs and opportunities.
In an environment where personal interests shift like the
Maine weather, setting future perimeters is quite easy. According to Shields,
55% of first-years have already registered with EBear. Smiling, first
year Timothy Ballenger tells the Orient that he is excited about not having
to focus too much on internships for the coming summer. "The CPC
just makes it easy for you." Ballenger plans to focus on his academics
with the knowledge that the CPC will support his internship search.
Another exciting, and rather interpersonal feature, the
CPC has launched is its Peer Career Advising (PCA) program. According
to junior Cabul Mehta, is a "liaison between students on campus and
adults at CPC." One of this year's four PCAs, Mehta expressed excitement
in using his interpersonal skills to relate to and help students that
may not be comfortable talking with "adults" about their future
career plans.
The CPC staff's advising is a result of thorough trainings
in résumé preparation, internship and job searches, pursuing
majors, etc.… "We are a bridge," Mehta states.
Along with the rest of the CPC, he believes that this new
youthful guidance will help this year's students find their path to a
successful and fulfilling life after Bowdoin.