Blue Devil Pact: Make a Pact with a Devil
Top 10 Ways You Can Help a Blue Devil Navigate the Turbulent Job and Internship Landscape
We’re all concerned with the economy. With mounting uncertainty and work landscapes changing daily, it is a challenging time to be entering the professional arena for the first time. The Career Center is at work helping students prepare and there are ways that you can make a significant difference for undergraduates, graduate students and young alumni from Duke who are making this transition—right now.
Look over the Top 10 list below and see where you—and people you know—can plug in to help young Dukies excited about entering the real world in these challenging times.
1. Hire Duke Talent
Duke graduates are among the most talented young professionals out there. Duke’s commitment to experiential learning, coupled with career center services and alumni outreach programs, make the quality and availability of these connections easy to establish. Duke has an online system that helps undergraduate and graduate students explore career opportunities, research, and network with employers, and apply for internships and full-time positions—all in one seamless platform. By posting your job opportunities with eRecruiting, you will be advertising your job with the best talent available. Reach into the Duke community for your next hire. Contact Anne Lyford, anne.lyford@duke.edu or 919.660.1053.
2. Post Internships and Summer Jobs
Internships are a great way to get exposure to careers and develop important skills. Employers continue to value the experience that internships provide as they look at entry-level hiring, and more companies are investing in and offering internship programs each year. If you know of internships with your company, or have an idea to create an experiential opportunity for a student, we encourage you to contact the Career Center. Contact Anne Lyford, anne.lyford@duke.edu or 919.660.1053.
3. Join DukeConnect
The best resource Duke students and alumni have is alumni who understand where they’ve been and can offer advice on where they’re going. DukeConnect is a database for Duke alumni and students to search for and connect with alumni who are willing to give career, life-stage, and other general advice. DukeConnect is not an employment database, it is simply a resource intended to bring the Duke community together in a forum of ideas, advice, and common interests. To make this resource as beneficial as possible, we need your help to build the most diverse volunteer community possible. For more information, visit www.dukeconnect.com.
4. Connect Duke and Students with Hiring Managers
Connect Duke and Duke students with HR contacts; whether at your company or another. Share your connections by introducing the Career Center to others who may be interested in connecting with Duke and Duke talent. Contact Anne Lyford, anne.lyford@duke.edu or 919.660.1053.
5. Experts in Residence
The Expert in Residence program features accomplished professionals who come to Duke to share specialized knowledge and provide career advice to students over a two-day visit. The program stimulates new ideas and provides advising for students who are searching for career directions and advice to help launch their own careers. If you, or someone you know, would be an excellent Expert in Residence, contact us. Contact Anne Lyford, anne.lyford@duke.edu or 919.660.1053.
6. Career Conferences and Programs at Duke
The Fannie Mitchell Career Conference is an event that gathers hundreds of Duke alumni back to campus to share their wisdom and experience with current students. It’s an opportunity for students of all years to explore and learn more about a wide variety of careers all in one place. The relationships that begin at the Career Conference help students as they step into the real world. The conference is one of many programs throughout the year for students to learn from alumni, parents and friends of Duke. Contact Anne Lyford, anne.lyford@duke.edu or 919.660.1053.
7. Shadowing and Mentoring
Many students evaluate career options and industries by finding a mentor and shadowing that person. Shadowing and mentoring come in many forms, from formal opportunities to simply spending a day at the office. Mentors can help students gain insight into the realities of jobs, learn the lingo, build networks, and focus their career goals. For more information on volunteering for shadowing or mentoring, please register directly in DukeConnect or contact Leslie Calihman Alabi at leslie.alabi@duke.edu or 919.660.1053.
8. Host or Attend a Career/Networking Event
These events provide opportunities to connect with employers and other Dukies on both a personal and professional level. By hosting an event, you will provide a space for these interactions and connections to take place. Contact Anne Lyford, anne.lyford@duke.edu or 919.660.1053.
9. Partner with Faculty to Create Practicums and Find Talent
We will help you connect with faculty partners to create capstone initiatives or a practicum. One of Duke’s strengths is its interdisciplinary approach to learning –the possibilities are endless. Talk to us about ideas you would like to explore. Contact Anne Lyford, anne.lyford@duke.edu or 919.660.1053.
10. Support Duke with a Gift
Serving, supporting and challenging our students is what we do. With your support, we in Student Affairs will work closely with students to enhance leadership opportunities, promote interaction among our diverse student population, provide outstanding career counseling and post-graduate opportunities, and encourage community and environmental action in service to society. [More Information] Your contact is Sarah Crawford, sarah.crawford@duke.edu.
Other links of interest:
Duke Career Center Alumni Homepage
Duke Alumni Association -Volunteer for Duke
Office of Student and Family Programs