Calling and Career Development

At Montreat College, we believe you are created to live, serve, and work for the glory of God. Our goal is for you to graduate with a clear sense of purpose—whether you’re pursuing further education, starting your first job, or following your unique calling. The steps below are designed to help you better understand yourself, identify your strengths, explore fulfilling career paths, and challenge yourself to reach your full potential.

Identity: Discover Your Unique Design

You are fearfully and wonderfully made with unique traits and passions that God intends to use for His Kingdom. Reflect on what energizes you, your strengths, challenges, loves, and goals. This self-awareness is foundational in finding work that brings satisfaction and aligns with your calling.

Explore Your Options:

• What Can I Do With This Major? Connect your major to potential careers by exploring common areas, typical employers, and strategies to become a more marketable candidate. Use this tool to identify jobs that interest you and align with your major.
• Candid Career: Research potential jobs by accessing thousands of video interviews with professionals across various fields. These insights go beyond standard job descriptions, helping you determine if a particular role is a good fit for you
• O*NET OnLine: A comprehensive database of occupational information, ONET OnLine allows you to explore various careers, understand the skills required, and assess how your interests align with different professions.

Experience: Build Skills and Gain Practical Exposure

Develop competencies through your involvements on and off campus that enhance your resume and give you opportunities to discern what types of work and environments are the best fit.

On Campus Opportunities

• Montreat 360°: Get involved on campus to gain hands-on, real-life experience through leadership, clubs and organizations, student activities, athletics, internships, learning communities, and study abroad.  Participate in Montreat 360° to invest in and track your development of highly sought-after skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.
• Student Employment: On-campus student jobs provide experience that enhance valuable professional and workplace skills that employers are seeking.

Internships

Your major requires at least one internship for graduation. This is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and boost your resume. If you need assistance finding an internship, make an appointment with the Thrive Center or explore opportunities on Handshake, our online career center.

To register for a required internship or practicum, please complete the Internship Contract or Practicum Learning Contract.

Volunteering

Engaging in volunteer work allows you to develop new skills in a low-risk environment. Employers value service experiences. For help finding local volunteer opportunities, schedule an appointment or check out opportunities on Handshake.

Relationships: Leverage Your Network

Networking involves interacting with others to exchange information and develop contacts to further your career. Start with LinkedIn to identify your existing network and discover new connections. These may include your professors, supervisors, and others you already know who work in your desired industry. Tapping into your networks can open doors to job and internship opportunities.

Readiness: Present Yourself to Employers

Effectively marketing yourself is crucial in the job search process.

• Resumes and Cover Letters: Craft well-thought-out and designed documents that clearly communicate your strengths and experience. These are often the first materials employers review. Let us help you create meaningful and memorable application materials.
• SkillsFirst: This platform provides tools and resources to help you develop and present your professional skills effectively.
• Handshake: Utilize Handshake, Montreat College’s online career network, to gather your experiences, post your major, and connect with hundreds of employers seeking candidates like you. Log in, build your profile, and explore job and internship opportunities tailored to your interests.
• Job Search Platforms: In addition to Handshake, consider exploring other job search platforms such as ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn Jobs, College Monster, Indeed, Simply Hired, North Carolina Job Network, and NC Works Online.
• Interview Preparation: Use SkillsFirst to practice responding to questions and learn what questions to anticipate, or make an appointment with the Thrive Center to talk with a career coach. Prepare by researching the company, dressing appropriately, practicing social skills, being ready to discuss your strengths with examples, and preparing thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. Remember, how you present yourself can make a significant impact.