The Western Washington University Career Service Center has an abundance of free resources online and in-person available to students and alumni to help them successfully find jobs and launch their careers. Whether it's help picking out a professional outfit or doing a mock interview, there are plenty of opportunities available to fit the needs of all students.
Located in the Old Main building of Western’s campus, Career Services is a resource supported by employer partners and the Bellingham community, with a mission to “Empower our community to explore, to connect, and to create their future.” Career counselors assist students in writing resumes, cover letters, creating a LinkedIn account, preparing for interviews and more.
“We work with individuals to articulate the skills they already have and the value they’ll bring to an organization,” said Mindy Pelton, director of career services via email.
Although Career Services does not directly manage student employment, its online website allows easy access for students to browse and apply for jobs on and off campus as well as work studies. Students can create an online profile that will add them to a list of jobs in childcare, day labor, tutoring and more. After creating a profile, the website will generate a more personalized list of employment options to choose from.
Fourth-year communications student Susan Nejad works in gallery attendance at the Western Fine Arts Gallery on campus. Nejad secured her job through the student employment list on the Career Services website under work studies.
“I found the job posting for it and then I emailed the director of the arts department,” Nejad said. “He told me the job description and asked if I can do it and that's how I got hired.”
Nejad said the job listings provide a name and email for students to reach out for further job inquiries.
Associate Director for Student Access and Career Pathways at Whatcom Community College Amy Riedel similarly works with students to meet them where they are and find ways to help them progress in their job search or career path.
“My model is strength-based,” Riedel said. “Helping students identify their strengths that directly connect to the job itself… and then practicing how to convey those authentically so they can get through that process of getting hired.”
The services offered by WWU’s Career Center also focus on tailoring to students — identifying their needs and the best support for them.
“We are continually working on adding and refining many of our services and resources to keep up with the evolving needs of our students and alumni in today’s dynamic job market,” said Pelton.
Nejad not only works on campus but also at a restaurant off campus. Compared to her restaurant gig, Nejad appreciates the flexibility and support in her academics that her on-campus gig offers.
“It is a really good opportunity for me to be able to get my work done on campus when I have a little bit of free time because again it's a very non-strenuous job,” Nejad said. “[At] my job off campus… I do not have any sort of leeway to get my work done.”
The Career Services website offers a page called “Explore Self,” a guide to identifying students’ strengths, interests, experiences, values and how those fit into their academic or professional world.
“[It helps] students figuring out…[how they] solve problems, [how they] collaborate across a team and [helps] them see that there are foundational skills in other experiences that translate to everything,” Riedal said.
Peloton’s advice for students on the job search or entering into their careers is to emphasize social networking throughout college and post-grad.
“While you're at Western and after graduation, focus on connecting with as many people as possible, starting with your fellow students and WWU faculty and staff,” Peloton said. “Building relationships is one of the most important aspects of your career journey. These connections can provide valuable insights into career paths, industries, employers and hiring processes. Plus, you never know when a conversation might lead to an internship or job opportunity.”
The center offers appointments virtually and in-person Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The inside of the Career Closet, a resource offered by the Career Services Center, is pictured in Bellingham, Wash. The closet is available by appointment and welcomes all students to shop for a professional look, free of charge. // Photo courtesy of Addie Boback
Madrona Raney (she/her), is a reporter for campus life. She is a junior at WWU studying News/Editorial Journalism. She did her first year at Point Loma Nazarene University and was a reporter for them on The Point. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, being outside, making coffee, snowboarding, boating and spending time with friends and family. You can reach her at madronaraney.thefront@gmail.com.
