A Hub for Students from Matriculation to Graduation, the James W. O'brien
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A hub for students from matriculation to graduation, the James W. O’Brien Center for Student Success focuses on self-exploration and experiential learning via internships, externships, and co-ops; opportunities that build practical skills and help students translate classroom theory into relevant, professional preparation. Through our wide array of programs and services, we help students understand their strengths and interests, network with leading employers, and explore career options that enable them to apply and strengthen their existing skills while acquiring new ones. of the Class of 2014 reported being employed, enrolled in graduate school or completing a year of service within 9 months post-graduation of the Class of 2014 completed at least one internship or co-op experience Class of 2014 median salary BAE Systems | Bank of New York Mellon | Boston Herald | Bright Horizons | CDM Smith, Inc. | Charles River Laboratories, Inc. | Citizens Bank | Eliassen Group | EMC Corporation | Enterprise Rent-a-Car | Essex County District Attorney’s Office | Fay, Spofford & Thorndike | Fidelity Investments | Gilbane Building Company | Kaspersky Lab | Kelmar Associates LLC | L-3 Communications | Lahey Hospital | Liberty Mutual | Massachusetts General Hospital | Next Step Living | NxStage Medical, Inc. | Putnam Investments | Quest Diagnostics | Raytheon | Ropes & Gray LLP | Schneider Electric | Shire Pharmaceuticals | State Street Corporation | Teradyne, Inc. | Thermo Fisher Scienticfic, Inc. | Wayfair, Inc. | W.B. Mason Company | Wells Fargo American Cancer Society | Andover Police Department | Blue Cross Blue Shield | Boston Celtics | Brigham and Women’s Hospi- tal | EMC Corporation | Entercom Communications | Ernst & Young | Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. | Gilbane Buidling Company | Grainger Industrial | Johnson & Johnson | Jones Companies | Kaspersky Lab | Lahey Hospital | Lawrence General Hospital | Little Sprouts | Lowell General Hospital | Massachusetts State House | Massachusetts State Police | Massachusetts Depart- ment of Transportation | NESN | NxStage Medical, Inc. | Pfizer, Inc. | Project Bread | Putnam Investments | Raytheon | Schnei- der Electric | SunGard Financial Systems | U.S. Marshals Service | USA Field Hockey | WHDH-TV | Whittier Health Network of the Class of 2014 attended graduate school American University | Bentley University | Boston College | Boston University | George Washington University, Law School | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University | Missouri State University | Northeastern University | Rutgers University | Suffolk University School of Law | Texas State University | Tufts University | University of Notre Dame : 2nd Floor, Sakowich Campus Center O’Brien Center for Student Success : (978) 837-5480 [email protected] O’Brien Center for Student Success @OBrienCenter For a list of upcoming career events visit www.merrimack.edu/obriencenter Experiential Learning is a term used to describe hands-on learning; bridging theory and practice through activities such as internships, co-ops, research, externships, service learning, and study-abroad. Experiential learning opportunities are both intentional and reflective, and are designed to guide students in constructing new knowledge, broadening perspectives, and enhancing skills. The O’Brien Center for Student Success coordinates three forms of experiential learning: externships, internships, and co-op’s. These experiences allow students to apply their academic knowledge in professional settings, and enable students to test their interests, talents, and skills in different occupations while at the same time learn more about themselves. Through this process, students hone in on areas of special interest and further define career goals. Students participating in these experiences also gain a competitive advantage, and are more desirable to employers and graduate schools. The O’Brien Center for Student Success encourages students to meet with career advisors early in their academic career to begin crafting their eMpower Career Action Plan, and consider the type of experiential learning opportunities they wish to pursue. Externships are experiential learning opportunities that give students short-term practical experiences in their field of study. This type of short-term work immersion allows students to observe professionals on the job and gain a hands-on understand- ing of an industry or career track. Students engage with an employer partner during interim periods over winter break or dur- ing spring break. The length of an externship ranges from one day of job-shadowing, to one-to-three weeks of deeper engage- ment. An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths while at the same time give em- ployers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent. Internships provide students with flexible and varied ways to gain valua- ble on-the-job experience related to career interests. Internships may be paid or unpaid, take place during summer or academ- ic semester breaks, and cover a range of time commitments. Merrimack College offers two types of internships: Academic Internships are credit-bearing opportunities offered through academic departments. Students are required to go through their department to register as guidelines vary by major. The O’Brien Center is happy to assist with questions. Independent Internships are administered through the O’Brien Center. Students register for this zero credit experience as they would a credit-bearing course during course registration each semester. Upon successful completion, students receive a pass/ fail notation on their transcript during each semester they participate and complete an internship. Cooperative education is a structured method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience. A cooperative education experience, commonly known as a "co-op", provides recognition for structured job experience. Co-ops are non-credit, full-time, paid positions that occur during a semester or more in lieu of attending classes. Students in any major may participate in co-ops during the fall, spring, or summer. Co-ops may be 3, 6, or 12 months in length. Students do not pay tuition while on their co-op. It is important to note that students participating in one or more co-op’s may delay their gradua- tion date: a worthy exchange for valuable work experience. Students completing a cooperative education opportunity will receive co-op course recognition on their transcripts along with a Pass/Fail grade. The O'Brien Center for Student Success recommends all internship's be paid positions. The Center’s Position Statement on Unpaid Intern- ships is available by visiting www.merrimack.edu/obrien. As a Faculty member, the O’Brien Center wants to partner with you to develop students’ career, personal and professional interests, complimenting classroom learning, and contributing to workforce preparation. Together we can design relevant opportunities, allowing students to network with industry professionals and gain a better understanding of the job market related to their course of study. Internships and Cooperative Education: Internships and co-ops allow students to apply classroom knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. Students gain valuable work experience, hone their talents, and learn more about their chosen field. Highly effective recruiting tools, internships, and co-ops allow potential employers to evaluate an individual’s abilities and long-term potential. Who's Got Talent: Professionals have the opportunity to serve as judges or casual observers from the field at one of our many student capstone project presentations, poster sessions, or talent expos. Externships: Provide organizations the opportunity to host a student for short-term, industry immersion. Choosing three-week, one-week, or one-day placements, externships engage students on various levels of the organization while utilizing young talent to move the organization forward. Program is open to sophomore and junior students. The Warrior Network—Merrimack Mentor Program: Alumni industry professionals share their knowledge and exper- tise with current students organized around a specific industry. Mentor-Mentee matches are one year rotations. The Warrior Network is open to juniors. Company Information Table & Lunch and Learn: Organizations share information about company culture and employment opportunities. ADVANTAGE: Our state-of-the-art, web-based recruiting system, Advantage, makes it easy for organizations to post jobs and internships, and review the resumes of talented Warriors. Employer in Residence: Professionals volunteer their expertise during mock interview sessions or serve on the O’Brien Center’s employer resume review rotation. This opportunity develops our students professionally, and is an invaluable experience! Ask an Employer: Offers organizations direct contact to Merrimack talent in an informal setting. Organizations build their brand on campus while also providing career advice to students. On-Campus Interviews: The O’Brien Center schedules, arranges, and publicizes organizations’ visits to conduct interviews with students on Merrimack’s campus. We’d love to design presentations Don’t Cancel