In today’s rapidly changing and competitive workplace, Whitman College plays a pivotal role in not only providing students with academic knowledge, critical & creative problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate across varying perspectives, but also equipping them with the practical skills and experiences necessary for a strong launch into their professional lives. One essential component of this holistic approach at Whitman is the Career and Community Engagement Center (CCEC). For many students, our center serves as a bridge between academic learning and everyday application, fostering student development through the integration of community-based work, career preparation and national merit-based learning in a way that readily supports a student’s narrative of growth.
The Career and Community Engagement Center: A Holistic Approach
The CCEC is so much more than a typical “career center”, “community service office”, or “fellowships office”. It is a hub of holistic student development. Its purpose is to empower students to explore, develop and achieve their goals, creating a path toward meaningful profession while also nurturing a sense of social responsibility and community connection. By integrating these many aspects, the CCEC ensures that students are not only ready to pursue their professional trajectory, but are also well-rounded individuals able to contribute positively to society.
- Community Engagement: Students are encouraged to actively engage with their communities – at Whitman, in Walla Walla and well beyond. This engagement takes various forms, such as volunteering, community-based leadership, and project-based learning taking place in local and global organizations. Students learn that success is not solely measured by personal achievement or growth, but also by one’s ability to make a positive impact on the world. Community engagement fosters empathy, cultural competency, and a deeper understanding of societal issues, which are invaluable qualities for any post-graduate trajectory.
- Career Development: By next year, every student at Whitman will have an assigned CCEC coach, a team of staff focused on directing students to an array of resources, services, programs and support to help them research, prepare for and launch their professional journey. These include, but are not limited to resume building resources, interview preparation, networking opportunities, internship advising, and graduate school application support. However, what sets the CCEC apart is the way that students can integrate the many experiences they pursue on and off-campus into a cohesive narrative that aligns their explorations with their priorities and aspirations.
- Fellowships and Grants: As a student extends their engagement beyond the classroom, Whitman and Walla Walla, seeking out community, research and internships that move them further into the world, the CCEC can help them to consider ways to deepen their exploration, self-reflection and understanding of topics and issues through national merit-based scholarships, fellowships and grants. Pursuing and securing prestigious national merit-based awards can be a significant milestone in a student’s academic and professional journey. Their numerous benefits include advanced education, research and innovation, global experience and networks that extend around the globe.
The Synergy: A Student Story
The integration of these three areas of focus in our center is best illustrated by the stories of students who avail themselves of all that is offered. Below is the story of one such student who agreed that we could share her story.
Nishtha Rajbhandari became involved with the CCEC during her campus job search Sophomore year, joining the Student Career Advisor (SCA) team in August 2021 as a member of this small cohort of students trained to provide career development support to peers. “Having exposure to the Student Career Advising team was helpful in accessing all available resources on campus which was meaningful in shaping my career journey. While skills like resume and cover letter writing, interview prep, etc. were important for me to learn for my role, it served me very well during my own internship and job application processes.” Other soft skills like teamwork, project and event management, marketing, communications, media management have been enhanced during her involvement in this and other roles. Later that semester, Nishtha became a member of the Community Engagement Leadership Team as a leader for the Buddy Program. “My involvement in the Buddy Program was great in building leadership and organization that goes well with all the other skills I have gained.”
As a declared biology major, Nishtha sought out a research-based summer internship with Altasciences. While the internship was a great experience, one of the key findings for Nishtha was a developing interest in economics. Upon returning to Whitman, she changed her major and participated in the pilot program of the Whitman Finance Accelerator. This program builds student understanding of the financial industry and creates opportunity for students to work on industry-sponsored projects along with Whitman alumni mentors. During the 2022-23 academic year, Nishtha applied for and received a Davis Projects for Peace grant of $10,000 to run a public health program in her home country of Nepal. She spent the summer of 2023 addressing inequities in access to period products and education surrounding menstrual taboos, while also completing an internship with the Nepal Economic Forum – an internship that was supported through with a Whitman Internship Grant. “Altogether, I think being in the office and working with such a supportive team was a huge part of my career journey. I have had great mentors who have provided all the necessary tools and resources for me to move forward.”
The Career and Community Engagement Center is more than just a support service; it is a driving force behind the holistic development of students. By integrating career and personal development with community engagement and future planning, the CCEC equips students with the skills, values and experiences necessary for a successful and fulfilling future. In this way, it ensures that graduates are not only ready to take the next step beyond our campus, but that they are also active and engaged citizens who contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world. As educational institutions continue to adapt to the changing landscape and expectations of higher education, this kind of integrated approach plays an increasingly vital role in shaping the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.