Dear Colleagues,
As a new academic year begins, we’re energized by the promise it holds and the important work ahead. We know your focus is on teaching and research — the foundation of the student experience — and we’re grateful for the many ways you help students reflect on what they value, who they hope to become, and how they want to use their education in the world.
In that spirit, we invite you to our annual Career Center Open House and Presentation on the post-graduation outcomes for the Class of 2024. This session offers a chance to connect across departments and explore how we can collectively support students as they navigate life after BC.
In this newsletter, we highlight both new and ongoing opportunities to collaborate — from class-based assignments to tools that support exploration across all four years. We also invite faculty to connect with the Career Center in new ways, including through discussion sessions.
Thank you for your continued partnership and best of luck with the start of the semester. We look forward to working with you in the year ahead.
Best regards,
Rachel A. Greenberg, Director, Career Center, r.greenberg@bc.edu
Joe Du Pont, J.D., Associate Vice President, Career Services & Integrated Learning, dupontjo@bc.edu
The Power of Integration: Supporting Each Class Year
Connecting classroom learning to students’ lives—past, present, and future—boosts engagement and relevance. When students see how course assignments build real-world skills, they become more invested in their education.
Below are sample ways to collaborate with the Career Center to support each class year. Reach out to a member of the Career Center team to explore these or other ideas!
First Years are discovering and exploring what brings them joy (interests), what they are good at (skills), what matters to them (values), and how they want to show up in the world. Invite a Career Center speaker to talk with your first year class about how the Career Center can support this process or incorporate the Focus 2 assessment into one of your courses.
Sophomores are exploring how their interests, skills, and values align with various career paths. Encourage them to attend Endeavor in January (registration in October) or bring your class to a Career Center event to help them explore (and then reflect on what they learned) together.
Juniors are developing skills and gaining experience. Incorporate alumni interviews via Eagle Exchange into a class assignment to help them apply their learning to real-world contexts.
Seniors are preparing to graduate and need guidance on how to find and pursue post-graduation jobs, graduate programs, or other opportunities. Help them learn to articulate how the skills they have gained in the classroom translate to other contexts, such as the workplace through tools like Big Interview (See below for more on supporting this year’s senior class.)
These are just some of the possibilities! Even if these ideas don’t fit your course, we welcome your input and hope you’ll promote Career Center resources to support students’ career discernment and growth. Our students thrive when we work together!
Supporting the Class of 2026 Together
Data shows that the Class of 2026—this year’s seniors—have engaged less with the Career Center than other classes. We are seeking your partnership to ensure this doesn’t lead to fewer post-grad opportunities.
Here are four ways to support your seniors:
1.Start the Conversation: Ask if they’ve begun planning for life after graduation and help them set goals. Many delay their planning due to anxiety, which increases stress during the spring semester. Walk them through the Career Center website, show them who we are (direct referrals to a specific staff member can be helpful), and encourage them to start wherever they are!
2. Encourage quick action. Help them identify 1–2 steps they can take today, e.g.:
Updating their resume,
Finding 3 jobs on Handshake that sound interesting
Taking a professional photo to upgrade their LinkedIn profile
Messaging 3 alumni on Eagle Exchange
Attending a Career Center or employer-hosted event.
They can always schedule a career coaching appointment via Handshake if they are not sure how to get started.
3. Promote awareness. Make sure students know key recruiting timelines and events so they don’t miss out on great opportunities. Encourage them to add these to their calendars now and prioritize attendance.
4. Connect them with mentors. Suggest they join MentorMatch to get guidance from an alum throughout their job or grad school search.
Bonus: If you teach a Capstone or senior-focused course, invite the Career Center for a brief visit or full presentation.
BC Alums Set the World Aflame: Class of 2024 Data
The Class of 2024 has landed in a broad range of industries and academic fields for their post-graduate experiences. Ninety-six percent of graduates from Boston College’s Class of 2024 were employed, enrolled in graduate school, or involved in a fellowship or volunteer service experience, according to survey results released by our office and Institutional Research & Planning (IR&P).
Navigating the AI-Driven Workforce
Just as it is in the classroom, AI is rapidly reshaping the job market, especially for recent grads. A recent Wall Street Journal article highlights how AI is replacing some entry-level roles, leading to fewer opportunities and rising unemployment among new graduates.
While AI can handle routine tasks, human skills—like analysis, judgment, and interpersonal communication—remain vital. The good news: these are exactly the strengths fostered by a liberal arts education.
The Career Center is helping students adapt by integrating AI-related discussions into coaching and workshops, teaching them to use AI tools wisely, build future-proof skills, and highlight their unique value. We’re also strengthening employer and alumni connections to support meaningful internships and jobs.
Despite the challenges, we remain optimistic. BC students bring resilience, curiosity, and ethical grounding to an evolving workforce. We invite faculty to continue partnering with us to guide students confidently into this dynamic new era.
Faculty Discussions with the Career Center
Professors are key to students’ career discernment and planning. Based on many conversations with and suggestions from faculty, the Career Center is excited to offer sessions this year to expand our dialogue and partnership. We hope you will join us!
Where Are They Now? Class of 2024 Outcomes + Career Center Open House | Friday, August 29, 9:30 AM Open House | 10:00 AM Presentation & Discussion | Register Here by Aug. 25 | Add to Calendar
Indicate your interest here in the topics below and we will invite you to the relevant sessions once they have been scheduled.
- Is "Careerism Ruing College? Discussion based on Sept. 2024 NYT Opinion
- Integrating a Purpose Mindset to Enhance Student Engagement in the Classroom
- How Career Readiness Impacts Mental Health
- Incorporating Career & Purpose into Academic Advising Conversations
- AI's Impact on the Job Prospects of New Grads: What can we do about it?
Integrating a Purpose Mindset to Enhance Student Engagement in the Classroom
2025-2026 Major Career Event Dates
Following are the dates of our major career events for the coming academic year. If you have questions or concerns about a date, please reach out to career.center@bc.edu. We hope you will consider bringing your class to a career event or encouraging your students and advisees to attend on their own. You are always welcome to attend, as well!
Please help us spread the word about these opportunities.
Connect with the Career Center Week | August 26-29
MentorMatch student registration | August 24-September 8 for Juniors, September 10-22 for Seniors and Graduate Students
Careers in Tech Week | September 8-12 | multiple events
Business & Technology Career Fair | Friday, September 12 | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Social Change, Policy, & Nonprofit Networking Event | Thursday, October 23 | 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Endeavor | January 7-9
Wall Street Networking Event | Friday, January 30
Eagle Intern Fellowship First Deadline | Monday, February 23
Healthcare, Nursing, & Life Science Career Fair | Friday, February 13
Eagle Intern Fellowship Second Deadline | Monday, March 30
Communication, Arts, & Marketing Networking Event | Thursday, March 19
Consulting Series | April TBD
Green Careers Networking Event | April 23
Eagle Intern Fellowship Final Deadline | Monday, April 27
New Career Center Staff
Hannah Fine joined the Career Center in July as Assistant Director, Career Education overseeing the Government, Law and Public Policy cluster. Before coming to BC, Hannah practiced law in both Boston and Chicago for large corporate firms, ran the pro bono program and offered career counseling at the University of Chicago Law School, and managed the pro bono and equity programs for a mid-sized corporate firm.
Maddy Mallory joined the Career Center in August as Assistant Director of Employer Engagement. She comes to BC from Princeton University, where she worked on both the Employer and Student Engagement teams, fostering connection between students and employers. Maddy earned her bachelor's degree from Bucknell University and a master's in higher education administration from the University of Pennsylvania.
Tracey Neave joined the Career Center in August as as Administrative & Programs Specialist, supporting initiatives like the Career Closet and Endeavor. A proud Boston College Alumna, Tracey brings extensive experience in account management from the information management and IT networking sectors, working with clients across healthcare, education, manufacturing, and government