Seniors flock to career center to prepare to post-graduate lifeLast year, over 350 Whitman seniors met with counselors at the Career Center in order to prepare for life after college. From resume workshops to mock interviews to an etiquette dinner, the Career Center provides myriad resources to help students find success in the competitive post-graduate job market.The transition from college to the “real world” is often a difficult one, and seniors face an important challenge in deciding what to do after graduation. A number of students matriculate directly into graduate school; others choose to enter the job force or take some time off. Of the 383 members of the Class of 2003 that responded to surveys, 46% is currently employed, 33% is enrolled in graduate programs, and 19% has completed an additional degree.”We have a lot of students come in at the beginning of their senior year and say, ‘Graduation is quickly approaching, and I’m not really sure what I’m going to do,'” said Heidi Baldwin, Assistant Director of the Career Center. “We work with [students] on identifying interests and values and what kind of careers might be a good fit for them.”The Center’s counseling services, programs and workshops have helped seniors find positions in a diverse range of programs and professional fields. “Our post-baccalaureate fellowship, scholarship and grants office sees a lot of students,” said Baldwin. “That’s something that more and more students are doing. Teach for America has been really big over the last couple of years, as well as AmeriCorps.”Despite a recent decline in Peace Corps recruitment at Whitman, dozens of seniors every year enroll in teaching programs such as the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) and Whitman in China. “These programs are the perfect kinds of things that [students] can do in a year or two that graduate schools will really value,” said Baldwin.While many seniors are busy applying for grants, fellowships, scholarships, and post-graduate programs, others are studying for graduate assessment tests.”I just finished my general GRE,” said senior Psychology major Rachel Stein.  “I would like to go to graduate school in clinical psychology.   Next  year would be great, but the programs are hard to get into.   Eventually I hope to have a  PhD in psychology, and I will take the  psychology GRE here on campus in November.”Indeed, admission to graduate school is extremely competitive, with an arduous application process that often involves multiple exams, interviews, and letters of recommendation. Students can expect no less difficulty when applying for their first jobs, causing many to question their career goals.”A lot of seniors aren’t really sure what that next step is,” said Baldwin. “Their biggest concern is not what they’re going to do next year, but that the things they do next year will set them on a path that they have to continue on forever. What students need to realize: especially considering the current job market: is that nothing pigeonholes you into a specific direction. You can always change your path. Any job has great transferrable skills.”Whitman students, said Baldwin, are especially endowed with the skills necessary to pursue any career. “The Whitman education really gives you the analytical skills, communication skills and writing skills that employers are looking for,” said Baldwin. “I really think that even though the job market is a little tighter, Whitman students are going to be the ones chosen over state school students.”Despite the strength of a Whitman education, said Baldwin, the most important thing that students can do after Whitman to prepare for the job market is to get experience.”Having a degree from Whitman means a lot, but you have to get involved and get experience,” said Baldwin. “Experience comes in so many shapes and forms. Most seniors that come in are nervous about what job they can get; they don’t know if they have any experience. For the most part, seniors have done a whole lot of great things, they’re just not seeing that their experiences are valuable. One thing that [the Career Center] is really good at is helping students realize the true experience and skills that they got out of their activities.”To help students locate opportunities for career experience, the Career Center sponsors a number of job and internship fairs throughout the year. “We’ve taken our student job fair and really turned it into an experience expo,” said Baldwin.The Career Center also offers personal counseling, resume and cover letter workshops, and mock interviews, as well as sponsoring an extensive network of alumni and career contacts.”The Career Consultant Network is one thing that students should really know about,” said Baldwin. “It’s a really valuable resource: 1800 alumni and parents who have volunteered to be career contacts for students. Alumni are the best people to talk to and to give advice about how to go about getting a job in a particular industry. [Students] are able to get first-hand experience from someone who’s currently in that job.”Baldwin hopes that students will take advantage of the Career Center’s resources sooner rather than later. “We help students at all stages of career development,” said Baldwin. “One thing we hear from alumni a lot is, ‘I wish I would have used those services while I was there on campus.”The Career Center’s next events are on Thursday, Oct. 16: A Law School Panel from 11:00 AM until noon in Reid G02 and a Graduate School Fair from noon until 3:00 PM  in the Reid Campus Center Ballroom.