The Office of Career Services

The Office of Career Services is here to help students and alumni with:

Mission Statement: 

The Elms College Office of Career Services exists to provide career support for Elms College students and alumni while delivering comprehensive, innovative, and inclusive programs and opportunities for all students. Emphasis is placed upon fostering meaningful connections for Elms College students with employers, local organizations, and alumni. This is facilitated through strategic connections with faculty, alumni, employers, social networks, and community partners. 

Career Services is dedicated to providing an inviting environment where all students feel safe, validated, and empowered to explore, pursue, and manage their career journey.  Students of all identities are celebrated in an office that strives to help individuals feel confident navigating the ever-changing, increasingly unpredictable, and volatile career landscape. Career Services is committed to cultivating a community that supports Elms College students and alumni through every career stage and challenge.

Vision:

We empower all students to develop and achieve their career and professional aspirations. 

Core Values: 

• Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity
  • We advocate for all aspects of diversity, inclusion, and equity. We work to ensure people of all identities are respected and valued. 
• Holistic Approach
  • We recognize the unique needs of each individual person and acknowledge the various factors that influence decision-making and maintain an environment of trust, honesty, and transparency. 
• Self-Authorship
  • We empower people to use a growth mindset and stay open to all opportunities to further develop their understanding of the world. 
• Connectivity
  • We make meaningful connections between opportunities, people, resources, and ideas. 

Diversity Statement: 

Career Services is dedicated to providing an inviting environment where students are empowered to pursue a lifelong career. We celebrate students of all identities as we strive to help individuals feel confident in their career decision-making journey. Career Services is committed to cultivating a community that is inclusive and reflects the diverse background and experiences of Elms College and the surrounding communities.

Commitment to Anti-Racism: 

Career Services denounces and stands against racism. We stand in solidarity with and support Black Lives. We aspire to the highest standards of social responsibility as an office and are committed to instilling values of diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice through career education.

Exploration: An Elms College education allows students to develop a well-rounded range of skills that can be applied to almost any career. Employers in all industries value the ability to communicate clearly, to work collaboratively with others, and to bring innovative solutions to complex problems. In the explore phase, students are encouraged to embark on self-discovery, identifying skills, strengths, and interests related to a potential major or career. Workshops and programs provide information about possible career pathways, industries, and occupations.

Development: Through career education at Elms College, students have the ability to develop critical skills and strengths to prepare for the 21st-century workforce. Career Services provides the ability to connect with employers in various fields and industries to create multiple communication points. Students can schedule a practice interview with a career adviser, attend a program or workshop to develop critical career-related skills, and have a resume, cover letter, and other job application materials reviewed by staff members. 

Engagement: Students have the opportunity to participate in experiences related to individual career development. Career Services will facilitate the connection with employers seeking to hire for internships and full-time positions. Career Services provides guidance on building meaningful relationships and skills through various programs delivered in the fall, spring, and summer.

Career Advising:

During career advising appointments students receive help from professionals within Career Services to further understand life after graduation and to develop general strategies for moving forward in the direction of their aspirations. Career advising appointments can include, but are not limited to, the following topics to assist students: 

• Exploring values, interests, and skills 
• Gaining practical experience 
• Strategizing job and internship searches 
• Researching graduate and professional schools 
• Leveraging the Elms network
• Developing a 4-year career action plan 
• Choosing a major and exploring careers 

Elms College partners with Handshake, the leading career management platform in higher education, to help students discover career paths and opportunities. A Handshake account will already be established for all students and be accessible at the Elms Essential session or by contacting Career Services. Handshake can be used to find on and off-campus jobs and internships, submit materials for review, and to schedule appointments with a career advisor.

Elms College also provides access to FirstHand and What Can I Do With This Major.  FirstHand is a large collection of industry guides to inform decisions on career paths and best practices with regard to resumes, cover letters, interviewing, and networking. What Can I Do with This Major provides insight into career paths by major.

The Office of Career Services has a director, J. Marshall, M.Ed., a career professional with 25 years of experience. J (pronounced “Jay”) is very informal and welcomes students to connect in and around campus, at the office, or via email, phone or video chat, and, of course, on LinkedIN. The Office of Career Services is located on the 2nd Floor of the Elms College Alumnae Library in the Center for Student Success. Appointments can be scheduled by emailing marshallj@cherryplumcreations.com or calling 413-265-2272.

The office is open 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday.  That is not always convenient for students, so we can also schedule alternative times to meet students’ needs.  Services are offered in person, by phone, by email, by video call, and the office is open to other delivery methods.