Career Development Center

1
Gain Knowledge From Experiential Learning

• Career Development Center
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

2
Overview

• Types of Experiential Learning
• Benefits of Experiential Learning
• Overview of Co-op, Summer, Volunteer, URP Study
  Abroad
• CDC Resources
• Uncovering leads
• Where to begin

3
Types of Experiential Learning

• Cooperative Education
• Summer Internship
• Volunteer Work
• Undergraduate Research Program (URP)
• Other (Study Abroad, part-time Work)

4
Benefits of Experiential Learning

• Get a glimpse into various organizations and work
  environments
• Insights into specific career fields or interests
• Build your network!
• In some cases, live somewhere new
• However you choose to look at it, it generates
  personal growth!

5
Co-op Program at Rensselaer

• Students eligible after first year at RPI
• Undergraduates Work 2 terms (semester summer)
• Graduates Work any 1 term (summer or semester)
• Co-op must be paid
• Work must relate to major
• Students typically go out during junior year
• Register for Co-op through the CDC
• Assigned a CDC Counselor

6
Summer Internships

• Whos eligible? All students!
• Summer term only
• Can be paid/unpaid
• Part-time or Full-time
• Not always relevant to major
• CDC does not have a formal registration process

7
Volunteer

• Build resume by helping a cause you believe in
• Learn new skills
• Meet new people who may become part of your
  professional network
• Learn about a new field or interest
• Whatever the reason, you can feel good about what
  you are doing
• Example Volunteer Groups Circle K, Habitat for
  Humanity

8
Undergraduate Research Program (URP)

• Whos eligible? All students from all schools!
• Semester and Summer opportunities
• Determine a faculty member with whom you would
  like to do research with
• Listen for announcements in class or make an
  appointment to speak with a professor about their
  research
• Try to do some research on the research you are
  interested in before speaking with faculty
• Visit the Office of Undergraduate Education for
  more information http//undergrad.rpi.edu/setup.
  do

9
Study Abroad

• Rensselaer offers a number of international
  exchange opportunities for both undergraduate and
  graduate students throughout Europe, Asia,
  Australia, South Africa, India etc.
• Programs are intended primarily for the junior
  year
• Generally, students need to have achieved and
  maintained a QPA of 3.0 or better in order to be
  seriously considered for an exchange or study
  abroad program.
• Visit the Office of Undergraduate Education for
  more information http//undergrad.rpi.edu/setup.
  do

10
Co-op/Summer Listings/Leads

• CDC RedHawk-JobLink-annual activation
  required-view OCR and Open jobs
• Employer Information Sessions-view a listing on
  RedHawk-JobLink each semester
• Fall Career Fair(10/3/08-10/4/08) Spring Career
  Fair (1/27/09)
• Chamber of Commerce websites
• (Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce)
  http//acchamber.org/home.aspx
• Hidden Job Market (networking, association
  contacts)
• See CDC website for additional job search sites

11
Find Volunteer Experience

• Attend Activities Fair each fall semester
  (8/28/08)
• Rensselaer Union Groups
• Volunteermatch.org

12
Where should you begin?

• Meet with your Academic Advisor or Mentor
  discuss the best time for you to gain experience
• If looking for Co-op/Summer work, you must get
  resume critiqued and stop in the CDC!
• Read Co-op Work Reports in CDC Café
• Research employers/volunteer organizations
• Still unsure? Make an appointment to see a
  Counselor
• If you are interested in a URP or Study Abroad,
  you must contact the Office of Undergraduate
  Education.

13
It starts at the CDC!

• Visit the CDC website to learn more
  www.cdc.rpi.edu