Here in the Gonzaga Career & Professional Development (CPD) office, supporting every student regardless of class year or major is our goal. Unfortunately, we find that some students are hesitant to visit us because of some incorrect assumptions they have about how we can help. That’s why we are busting a few CPD myths today; we want you to know exactly how our office can support you during your time at GU.
Myth: Career & Professional Development is only for upperclassmen.
Fact: CPD is here to help students at all levels of their career development. Your first year at GU is a great time to come into the office to get help with exploring possible careers, choosing a major, learning about internships, and so much more!
Myth: I have to know what I want to do for a career before I go to CPD.
Fact: Many of our services are tailored for students who have no idea what they want to do for a career. In fact, we often work with students who need help choosing a major! We offer career assessments, career coaching, career options by major, the opportunity to connect with alumni who majored in specific fields or work in specific jobs, and so much more!
Myth: They can only really help business or engineering majors.
Fact: While we do love working with engineering and business majors, we love working with students of all other majors and disciplines just as much. Throughout the year, we offer services for all students, even specifically tailoring some events just for disciplines outside business and engineering, including a corporate excursion to the Museum of Arts and Culture and a panel on service and government jobs abroad.
Myth: CPD will place me in a job or internship.
Fact: Our office provides many services to help students obtain jobs or internships, including résumé and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, job search tools, networking events, career fairs, and more. However, the job search process is one that a student must own for themselves, and therefore we do not take over it for you. Employers want to see the initiative of their candidates, and we will prepare you to put your best foot forward in this process.
Myth: My major will determine my career
Fact: Sure, there are some majors that have a clear path into a related field. However, there are a lot more majors that are effectively preparing students to enter a variety of careers. Don’t worry about which jobs are available to specific majors, and instead focus on studying something you find interesting, and find ways to develop additional transferrable skills by getting involved in activities and internships outside the classroom.
Brittany Leland is an alumna of Gonzaga University (B.A. in Applied Communications and M.A. in School Counseling) and currently serves as the Associate Director for Gonzaga’s Career and Professional Development office.