When should I come to the Knox Center for Career and Pre-Professional Development?
It is never too early to begin the career development process! Our resources and services are open to first-year through senior students as well as alumni. We particularly encourage all juniors to have completed a resume and to have identified career goals by the end of spring term, so that they may be prepared for recruiting opportunities during the fall term of their senior year. Following is a more detailed explanation of services offered.

Career Counseling and Self Assessment
Career counseling services are provided to students in the areas of interest-assessment, career exploration, resume and cover letter preparation, job search strategies, interviewing skills, and decision-making through individual counseling. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is available for self-assessment. This instrument is based on Carl Jung's theory of perception and judgment and is a widely used measure of personality dispositions and preferences. In career counseling, it helps to identify compatible work settings, relate career opportunities and demands to personality type.

Career Resource Library
The Career Resource Library houses a variety of information on career fields, employers, graduate and professional schools, and school systems. Handouts on job-hunting, interviewing, resume and cover letter writing, etc. are available free of charge to all Knox College students and alumni. Also, many directories and employment bulletins containing information on full-time positions and internships are available.

Internship Opportunities
A Michigan State survey on recruiting trends for companies cited internship experience as the number one factor in hiring liberal arts graduates. The Center for Career and Pre-Professional Development encourages students to begin to engage in these experiences as soon as possible in their academic careers. Internships may be arranged for academic credit through a faculty sponsor or through sponsoring organizations with or without pay.

Mock Interviews
Being prepared for an interview takes more than just reviewing some questions on your way to the interview. Check out our tips on interviewing before the big day. A good way to deal with your "first interview jitters" is by signing up for a mock interview. This practice interview may be videotaped at your request.

Credential Files
Credential files typically contain letters of recommendation from previous employers and professors. They serve as testimony of accomplishments and skills for graduate/professional schools and employers. Credential files are mailed upon request to prospective employers for a nominal fee. Transcripts, which can be obtained from the Registrar's Office, are not a part of your credential file.

Recruiting Opportunities

• On-Campus
  The Center for Career and Pre-Professional Development hosts interviews with many local and national organizations. On-campus interviewing is an inexpensive and convenient means of establishing initial contacts with prospective employers. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to come to our office at the beginning of Fall Term to view the interview schedule for full-time and internship possibilities. We will also e-mail all qualifying majors about interview opportunities as the year progresses.

• Off-Campus
  Knox is a member of the ISCPA, or Illinois Small College Placement Association. Throughout this organization of twenty-three small, private liberal arts colleges, students are able to post their resumes, search for jobs and internships, attend exclusive job and teacher fairs, as well as participate in interviews exclusively for ISCPA students and alumni.  To get to the ISCPA On-line Career Center and register go to the ISCPA Web site and select Students.

Mentoring Opportunities and Alumni Contacts
Please contact the Center for Career and Pre-Professional Development if you are interested in speaking with someone currently employed in a particular career field. We can put you in touch with alumni and/or community members who are interested in helping students.