SPEC 12
Connecting the Dots: Intro to Career Development Winter 2023

In this course, students will identify and reflect on their skills, interests, values, and motivations and apply this self-knowledge to their search for meaningful work. Together, the class will embark on a path of career exploration, to uncover and expand knowledge of potential paths. Students will practice lifelong career development skills, from identifying and building their network of mentors, to uncovering the hidden job market, to crafting compelling stories in resumes, cover letters and interviews, and more. Sessions will consist of lectures, group and individual activities, panels, and group discussions. Utilizing activities inspired by Kate Brooks’ “You Majored in What?” Burnett and Evans’ “Designing Your Life,” and the 2022 update of Dick Bolles’ classic “What Color is your Parachute?,” each meeting will be active and engaging. Because career and personal development happens in every aspect of a student’s college experience, we’ll feature several visitors from within the Williams College community (peers, alumni, faculty, and staff) to foster networking connections and help students pursue their interests on campus this spring and beyond. Homework will include reading career theory, watching videos, listening to podcasts, working on resumes, cover letters, and internship search action plans, conducting informational interview in fields of interest, planning group and individual presentations on emerging topics in career development, a 2-5 page final reflective paper, and developing their framework for an e-portfolio that they can continue to use throughout their time at Williams. Because of the iterative nature of reflection and exploration, this course has something for students at every stage. However, students who are just getting started articulating potential career aspirations and/or are open to uncover new career paths may benefit most.