Student Affairs

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PARENT TESTIMONIAL
“Our son gained real work experience
with the Cooperative Education (Co-op)
Program, working at an international
chemical company for three semester
rotations. The experience presented him
with the opportunity to understand what
a chemical engineer really does prior to
graduating. He enjoyed alternating from
a semester of classroom studies to a
semester of on-the-job learning.”
Sharon Ney
Loveland, Ohio
Core Competencies
Employers and graduate and professional schools want students to demonstrate the
knowledge, skills and attitude (competency) necessary for success in their respective fields.
Students need to polish skills they have, develop skills they don’t have and apply them in a
variety of settings. Students should continue to take advantage of the countless opportunities
Clemson offers and visit the CCPD to learn how to articulate the skills they have acquired.
For more information about these competencies, visit
Career Fairs
Career Fairs are a great way for students to professionally network as they engage in
their job search process. The Michelin Career Center, part of the Center for Career and
Professional Development, coordinates a variety of career fairs every semester. There is a
larger fair each semester for all majors and levels in school. In addition, the CCPD works with
other departments on campus for more industry-focused fairs. All of these fairs give the
opportunity, based on the employer’s selection and process, for students to interview after
the event or later in the semester. Make sure your student attends all of the pre-fair events
where employers assist us in preparing students to shine. Visit the CCPD website for more
information:
Mock Interviews
Mock interviews are a service included in career counseling appointments at the CCPD. Prior
to the appointment, students will submit their resume to be reviewed by a career counselor.
During the mock interview, a career counselor will ask general interview and industry-specific
questions. Through this experience, students get professional experience in answering the
questions while gaining feedback and guidance on answering different types of questions.
Students should take advantage of this resource no matter what industry they are entering.
Graduate School Options
Students might be considering professional or graduate schools. The CCPD suggests some
guiding reflections for your student:
• What are the major reasons to attend graduate school?
• Do they have a clear idea of the program or specialized area to pursue?
• Can they start a career within their field with only a bachelor’s degree?
• Do they want to spend more time in school?
These questions are valid because committing time and money to another degree is a big
decision. The CCPD is available through career counseling appointments for discussing and
researching graduate or professional school options. The CCPD is also available to assist with
the writing of curriculum vitae and personal statements for graduate and professional school
admissions. Visit the CCPD’s website for more information:
STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Student Alumni Association (SAA) is an open-membership organization supported by
the Clemson Alumni Association. SAA is a way for undergraduate students to enhance their
experience while at Clemson University. SAA provides a way to connect and foster a lifetime
of service and connections with our University. SAA members enjoy many benefits:
• The “Ever Loyal” book: The ‘bucket list’ for Clemson students, providing a list of
traditions and events every student should try to accomplish before graduation.
• The “Ever Loyal” card (discount card): This discount card is given to all members
of SAA and has a variety of discounts for local businesses, which are only available
to SAA members.
• SAA T-shirt: Every member receives an SAA T-shirt.