Freshmen

Below is a list of career-related steps you can take during this year to prepare yourself for a successful journey ahead. The Career Development Center is here to help you every step of the way.

  • Visit a career counselor in the CDC to identify interests, values, & skills.
  • Explore academic majors.
  • Visit the CDC’s majors fair in fall semester.
  • Plan a tentative program of study for your undergrad years; include electives in additional areas.
  • Establish relationships with academic advisors and/or faculty members.
  • Research careers.
  • Conduct informational interviews by talking to people who work in your fields of interest.
  • Learn to balance schoolwork with social activities.
  • Keep records of all campus and work activities for resume development.
  • Participate in on- or off-campus work and find a summer job that interests you.

Sophomores

Below is a list of career-related steps you can take during this year to prepare yourself for a successful journey ahead. The Career Development Center is here to help you every step of the way.

  • Visit a career counselor to discuss career plans or major options.
  • Confirm your major and, if you are considering changing it, visit the CDC for major choice counseling; also talk with a representative from the academic department to learn more about degree requirements.
  • Declare your major if you haven’t already done so.
  • Consider the benefits of adding a minor field of study to your degree plan.
  • Research careers and conduct information interviews.
  • Continue on- or off-campus work.
  • Prepare a resume and have it reviewed by a career counselor.
  • Gain career-related work experience through campus organizations, volunteer work, internships, and/or summer jobs.
  • Register online at Hire Samford

Juniors

Below is a list of career-related steps you can take during this year to prepare yourself for a successful journey ahead. The Career Development Center is here to help you every step of the way.

  • Update your resume.
  • Continue gaining career-related work experience through campus organizations, volunteer work, internships, and/or summer jobs.
  • Join a student chapter of a professional organization related to your major.
  • Evaluate and explore possible graduate or professional school options.
  • Prepare for, or take, graduate school entrance exams.
  • Attend career fairs to talk to employers about attributes and skills they look for candidates; search for internships at the event.
  • Attend employer info sessions and visit employer info tables.
  • Begin to develop your professional wardrobe.
  • Consider a leadership role in a student organization or group.
  • Register online at Hire Samford

Seniors

Below is a list of career-related steps you can take during this year to prepare yourself for a successful journey ahead. The Career Development Center is here to help you every step of the way.

  • Verify completion of requirements for graduation, postgraduate studies & entrance exams.
  • Refine your resume and identify references.
  • Plan and follow through on job or graduate school campaigns, including identifying potential employers and graduate programs, taking entrance exams, etc.
  • Attend networking events such as career fairs and employer info sessions.
  • Stay in touch with the Career Development Center to find out the latest about job opportunities and job search assistance; check Hire Samford at least once a week.
  • Network with friends, relatives & Samford alumni.
  • Participate in a mock interview in the Career Development Center.
  • Search for graduate school financial assistance.

Our Team

Photo of Cara Blakes
Cara Blakes
Assistant Director
Career Development Center
217 Beeson Hall
Photo of Dora Ditchfield
Dora Ditchfield, MA
Director
Career Development Center
217 Beeson Hall
Photo of Jennifer Fitzpatrick
Jennifer Fitzpatrick
Project Coordinator
Career Development Center
217 Beeson Hall
Photo of Heather Mitchell
Heather Mitchell, MA, MEd
Director of Career Counseling
Career Development Center
217 Beeson Hall
Photo of Holly Strawn
Holly Strawn
Assistant Director
Career Development Center
217 Beeson Hall