Welcome: Happy New Year from the CDC

Happy New Year!

Starting fresh in a new year can be invigorating, and oftentimes we set new goals and plans that we hope to accomplish with renewed energy and commitment. The faculty and staff at WPI have been working diligently on a new strategic plan. This plan to “Elevate Impact” (pdf) at WPI was just announced to the broader community, and we encourage you to take some time to review the announcement.

The WPI Career Development Center is heavily involved in three of the nine initiatives presented in the plan: More in Four, Major and a Mission, and the WPI PhD Plan. Through these initiatives we will work with our colleagues across the university to increase offerings such as co-op, portfolios, and industry experiences for PhD students. Our employer partners will be an integral part of these initiatives through future hiring, educational programs, and program feedback.

These three initiatives provide increased opportunities for students to explore personal and professional development. While students are already participating in and pursuing these opportunities, the strategic plan will make them a cornerstone of student experience. The CDC is working to promote and develop a more structured co-op program for undergraduate students. As the strategic plan progresses, the CDC will be involved in helping move these initiatives forward. If you are interested in having a discussion about these initiatives and how they can impact your recruiting of WPI students, we would like to connect with you. Please email me directly at dbo@wpi.edu.

In addition to strategic planning information, this newsletter is full of useful tools and articles on topics such as the benefits of hiring international students, upcoming educational programs, and registration for our upcoming career fairs. Please take some time to learn more about WPI and our students and how our office can assist you in this New Year.

-Dave Ortendahl

Director, Corporate Relations

WPI Career Development Center