A Hub for Students from Matriculation to Graduation, the James W. O'brien

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

of the Class of 2014 attended graduate school

: 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 understanding of an industry or career track. Students engage with an employer partner during interim periods over winter break or during 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 employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent. Internships provide students with flexible and varied ways to gain valuable on-the-job experience related to career interests. Internships may be paid or unpaid, take place during summer or academic 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 togo 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 graduation 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 expertise 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 That Class: Sometimes faculty need to be off campus for the day based on your feedback! at a meeting or conference. Instead of cancelling class, the O’Brien Center for Student Success offers a wide range of programs. Don’t see what you are looking for? With advanced notice we can customize a career program based on your Please contact the Lori Dameron at needs! Topics include: the O’Brien Center for Student Success

 The First Year of Work

 Social Media and the Job Search 978-837-5442  Evaluating and Negotiating Job Offers

 Graduate School Planning [email protected]  Acing the Interview

 Networking and Informational Interviewing

 Writing a Resume or Cover Letter  Finding an Internship, Co-Op, or Full-Time Job

 Career Fairs: Organizations can meet face-to-face with our most ambitious and talented students at our many industry-specific fairs. Considering adding these events to your syllabus.  Classroom Presentations: Students come face-to-face with industry professionals who lead a classroom discussion on their field and brand their company as an industry expert. Call us to schedule one for you!  Research Partners: Partnerships solve industry specific problems and provide real world opportunities to student researchers paired with faculty members. This serves as an excellent way to combine classroom learning and industry standard.  Symposiums: Provide an opportunity for students to showcase their internship and co-op experiences, research, and classroom projects in a formal setting while interacting with industry professionals.  Employer Panel Discussions: Professionals discuss their organization, industry and share personal insights into their own career path. Online portal for work As faculty, you are able to view the To refer students to the direct link: study, full/part time jobs, same information as students. Use merrimack-csm.symplicity.com/faculty co-op, externship and your network to help us post co-op, internships, as well as on internships and job opportunities. Reach out to and off campus career fairs, Refer students to specific positions [email protected] for resume builder, and events. that match their career goals. questions about your login information.

View and critique student interviews. Use system as a tool to improve Online system for practicing students' verbal and non-verbal interviewing skills. communication skills. Add as an merrimack.interviewstream.com assignment to your course, everyone needs communication skills practice!

Allows you and students to connect Two groups where students with the O'Brien Center and alumni to can connect with the O'Bri- learn about and pass along en Center and Alumni to www.linkedin.com opportunities to students or encourage (Search for “O'Brien Center for Student network for jobs, gain ad- students to join to do their own Success" and "Merrimack Alumni Group") vice in their field, or find networking! Join in on discussion employment opportunities. board. Encourage students to participate. www.merrimack.edu/employers An easy way for students to Refer companies/recruiters to the interview without leaving O'Brien Center for on-campus For more information contact: campus. recruiting, campus involvement, or Amanda Brian at 978-837-5362 posting opportunities to the system.

eMpower serves as a blue When advising students, this guide print for important career could be helpful in talking through ca- growth over the continuum www.merrimack.edu/obriencenter reer planning options and steps for of the undergraduate successful decision-making in college. experience.

Clarifies the self-exploration and career development Encourage students to complete an process. Assessments inventory can help them increase offered on a need basis: www.merrimack.edu/obriencenter awareness of their interests, personali- Strong Interest Inventory, ty traits, strengths, skills, and values. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and MyPlan.com The O*NET database includes infor- Gain access to in-depth career mation on skills, abilities, knowledges, information and resources http://www.onetonline.org/ work activities, and interests associated through O*Net Online with over 900 occupations.

Joint effort of the Partnership Merrimack is a Call to Serve Campus: A for Public Service and the U.S. place to search for federal jobs and Office of Personnel internships. New jobs posted daily in all https://www.usajobs.gov/ Management. Educating aspects of the government from students on the importance of homeland security to health technicians. federal jobs and civil service.

Online career and education planning tool. Allows Refer students to this career planning assessment of career rele- system, which provides access to options vance, personal qualities, and in different career fields and http://merrimack.myplan.com/ the ability to explore career majors. Great site to see what job fields related to students’ field opportunities lie in different fields. of study. Provides advice for students seeking work opportunities abroad or in over 40 U.S. cities. Gives up-to-date information Gain access to international on job search sources, employment career and employment trends, top companies and resume www.merrimack.edu/explore information prepared by "in writing/cultural interviewing tips for 35 country" experts. countries, including worldwide internship/jobs database.

Gain access to a wide range of Provides resources to help students and job search and career plan- other job seekers investigate career http://libguides.merrimack.edu/ ning resources including web options, prepare resumes/cover letters, careers sites, print reference guides in develop interviewing skills ,and re- library, databases for search/identify potential employers. Please contact the Library for further professional and scholarly Topics also include Graduate Education, questions. periodicals, and links to Networking, and Co-op/Internship links. professional associations.