On Nov. 20, Ashland University’s College of Education and Career Center for Life Calling (CCLC) combined to host the first Career Day for all education students.  

They had the opportunity to attend talks and sessions talking about different aspects of the classroom. In between those presentations students had the opportunity to network and connect with 39 different school districts.   

“I think overall I am just looking for schools that I can just connect with and build relationships with,” says senior primary grades education and intervention specialist major Lauren Bartlett. “[I just want] to learn more kind of what employers want to see from you.”  

“We know students are always interested in resumes and cover letters and interviewing… but there’s also an academic and professional development opportunity,” says Zach McGrain, executive director of the CCLC. “We look at these events more as a professional conference, not just as a career fair.”  

The fair was not for just seniors looking for interviews and making connections, but it was open for all years. 

“As a freshman, I knew I wasn’t going to be getting any interviews or anything like that,” says freshman integrated language arts education major Kylie Dean. “But it’s really nice to make those connections with schools and find out what kind of school districts I would want to be a part of.” 

The CCLC and the College of Business and Economics put on a Career Day that has a very similar model that has shown itself to be successful.  

“The students are learning throughout the day, but also building those relationships,” says McGrain. “We’re really proud of this model… [it is] what is best practiced for Ashland University, where students are learning, but we’re also building connections, and it’s a collaborative effort across the institution.”  

Thrive, a facility program for children with autism and developmental disabilities from ages two to third grade, was one of the facilities students had the opportunity to connect with. “[We are] really looking at getting to know students that are interested in the field of education as they start their career.” says owner and executive clinical director Jaclynn Bosley.  

For more information or help with your future career, visit the Career Center for Life Calling at Ashland University.