#NES

This year marks my first year as a Career Peer Educator at the Career Center at Lawrence University. This job has been so rewarding in so many ways and I am ecstatic to continue until graduation! I have learned so much, professionally and personally. I could not have asked for a better on campus job and a better team!

One of the most interesting things we did this year was our informational interviews. We interviewed two people, alumni or recruiters, every term, with the topics varying per term. In the Fall, I interviewed Joe Loehnis ’06 about the arts administration industry (“Joe Loehnis ’06: From Cellist to CEO“). I learned a lot about how I really wanted to be professionally and how Lawrence can really prepare you for the field. In Winter, I spoke with Ilan Blanck ’17 about the process of interviewing and hiring (“Ilan’s ’17 Eyes On Interviewing“). I enjoyed hearing about Ilan’s experiences with current professors of mine and how they helped shape him into who he is today. Hearing as well about his current position at The Music District was eye opening for what I had the potential to do with my degrees at Lawrence, and of course what interviewers were really looking for. And this term, I interviewed Reese Pike ’25 about her graduate school experience (“An MM Isn’t As Scary As You Think“). I actually had no idea that there were masters programs that were only one year, and that allowed me to think more in depthly about my own future. Every interview I did this year taught me something knew, professionally and personally.

I remember doing my training for this role and being so scared to have appointments with students. I was terrified of having no idea what to say, or saying the wrong thing. And while my first few appointments were unnecessarily long, I began to realize it really wasn’t that bad. I’m an orientation leader and got a few of my first-years to schedule something with me, and then throughout the year had a few appointments with my friends. I genuinely enjoy meeting new people and being able to offer advice or thoughts that are genuinely beneficial. Helping people find jobs, internships or opportunities that they had a real passion for was an unexpected joy. My own resume has grown so much while working here, and of course my LinkedIn is actually used now. I feel so much more confident in myself professionally through this job.

In our weekly staff meetings, we spent so much time on interviewing. We would each answer interview questions, and trust me some of them were really hard to answer or just straight odd. It was uncomfortable, but I feel so much stronger in that realm. I have always interviewed well, but I’ve never been asked really formal interview questions, and that will for sure change. My fellow CPEs are such kind and lovely people and we have really cultivated a kind environment that never made me scared to mess up or say the wrong thing.

I have grown to just love the environment we’ve cultivated at the Career Center. My relationships with my bosses and my coworkers are special to me, and seeing them is sometimes the highlight of my week. I always feel so supported, professionally and personally, even if I am struggling. There were a few times where the second floor of Chapman Hall felt like a second home, and it has always felt like a safe space. This was a job I never thought I would have in college, but I really can’t imagine my second year of school without it. The Career Center has been nothing but kind to me, and I am excited to come back in the Winter!

Over the course of this academic year at the Career Center, I’ve had the opportunity to take on a variety of responsibilities and experiences that have contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth. Working in this environment has helped me better understand career development processes while also strengthening several practical skills that I will carry forward. 

One of the key areas I have grown in is my understanding of informational interviews. I learned how they function as a powerful tool for exploring career paths, gaining industry insight, and building professional connections. This knowledge has also helped me become more confident in initiating and guiding these conversations in a meaningful way. 

I also developed stronger communication skills through consistent engagement in tabling events and workshops. These experiences required me to communicate clearly, adapt my message to different audiences, and actively engage with students in a professional setting. Over time, I became more comfortable speaking with diverse groups and presenting information in an approachable and effective manner. 

Another important area of growth was gaining experience with job interviews and applications. Practicing interview scenarios and understanding application processes helped me feel more prepared and structured in how I approach career opportunities. Additionally, I learned more about graduate school applications, which gave me a clearer understanding of the steps, timelines, and expectations involved in pursuing further education. 

Several moments stood out as highlights of my year. One of the most memorable was co-hosting the networking workshop in collaboration with the Lawrence University Data Science Club, which achieved a record participation of over 50 attendees. This experience demonstrated the impact of collaboration and planning, and it was rewarding to see such strong engagement from students. 

Another meaningful part of my experience was my one-on-one meetings with Grace. These conversations played an important role in my development, offering both professional guidance and personal growth. They helped me reflect more intentionally on my goals and progress throughout the year. 

In addition, serving as the president of the Data Science Club allowed me to build networks across industries and apply those connections to increase engagement for Datathon ’26. This experience helped me understand the importance of outreach, relationship-building, and initiative in creating successful events. 

Overall, I have really appreciated the supportive and friendly environment at the Career Center. It has been a space where I’ve felt encouraged to learn, contribute, and grow while also enjoying the work itself. I am looking forward to continuing this growth in the upcoming year and taking on new challenges and opportunities. 

Computer Science and Data Science major, Mathematics minor at Lawrence University, and the President of the Lawrence University Data Science Club. Connect with Sabin on LinkedIn

Working as a Career Peer Educator has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at Lawrence. This role helped me see career development from a different perspective. Before this position, I mostly thought about career preparation as something personal, like improving my own resume, preparing for interviews, or searching for opportunities. But as a CPE, I learned how important it is to support other students as they figure out their own goals.

One of my most memorable experiences this year was doing graduate school research. As I started looking into different programs, requirements, faculty, courses, and application materials, I realized how much planning goes into the graduate school process. This research helped me understand that choosing a program is not only about ranking or name recognition. It is also about fit, location, funding, faculty interests, and long-term career goals. Through this experience, I became more comfortable comparing programs and thinking critically about what kind of environment would help a student grow.

Another memorable experience was practicing interview skills during our staff meetings. These practices helped me understand how important it is to prepare clear, specific answers instead of trying to memorize perfect responses. I learned how to use examples from my own experiences, organize my thoughts, and speak with more confidence. It was also helpful to hear feedback from others because it showed me what sounded strong and what could be improved. This experience made interviewing feel less intimidating and more like a skill that can be practiced over time.

I also enjoyed contributing articles to the Career Center blog. Writing these articles helped me turn career topics into information that students could actually understand and use. Some examples of articles I wrote this year include “My Experience as an Interviewer: Nadika Sharma,” where I reflected on what I learned from reviewing recorded interviews, “Siemen’s Project Management Forage Simulation Experience,” where I wrote about practicing project management, dashboards, and communication and “Niche Job Sites and Decoding Job Descriptions,” where I explained how students can search more strategically and understand job postings better.

Professionally, I have grown in several ways through this role. First, I became more confident in communication. Whether I was speaking during meetings, practicing interviews, or helping students think through career questions, I learned how to explain ideas more clearly. I improved my research skills, especially through graduate school research. I learned how to compare programs, look carefully at requirements, and think about long term fit. I also became more comfortable with professional feedback. Staff meetings and interview practices helped me see feedback as something useful, not something to be nervous about.

Being a Career Peer Educator helped me grow as a communicator, researcher, and peer mentor. It also reminded me that career development is not always a straight path. Students are often figuring things out step by step, and sometimes the most helpful thing is to give them support, resources, and encouragement. This role helped me do that for others while also learning more about myself and my own professional goals.