Over five hundred students are employed at Bellarmine University. While some work in the university’s offices to help day-to-day tasks run smoothly, others beautify the campus, answer questions from incoming students and families, or advertise events throughout the seasons.
What do they all have in common? An endless amount of support stems from Bellarmine and its Career Development Center.
Bellarmine’s Career Development Center empowers students at all stages of their professional development. Whether they’re prospective students looking to learn which steps to take in order to chase their dream job or suit-clad interns hoping to improve their interview skills, the Career Development Center prides itself on its ability to help students make their own decisions, define their own path, and evolve into the professional they want to become.
“[Our goal] is to help connect who they are as a person with what their goals are for the future and which majors and opportunities we provide here,” said Jackie McNatt, the director of the Career Development Center. She describes the ultimate goal of the Career Center as shaping a student’s professional development to feel “truly aligned with who they are.”
McNatt has been a keystone of the Career Development Center since 2016. Following her promotion to Director in February 2024, she encounters over 40 students weekly who hope to learn valuable skills and tools for their future employment.
“The long-term goal is to provide students with experience in being employed and working, whether that’s being in an office setting or another department that interests them, as well as developing transferable skills.”
The Career Development Center utilizes several foundations to perfect its approach to student career readiness. It prioritizes the eight career competencies listed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, including leadership, communication, and teamwork. Improving these habits can take years, which is why Bellarmine provides career support to everyone, including postgraduate students and alums.
Students employed on campus may find themselves working in an array of different settings and atmospheres. Krebs, a Bellarmine-funded program that rewards working students with tuition assistance, enables many Bellarmine students to work on campus; however, numerous positions are available for any student, regardless of their participation. A majority of Bellarmine students work through the Federal Work Study: a federal program which responds to financial need with employment. Positions available include working in the dining services, library, tutoring center, and more.
“Departments need support,” McNatt reminds, encouraging students to consider all areas on campus. “There’s a wide variety of skill sets and experiences required. All opportunities are crucial.”
Since over 70% of Bellarmine graduates remain in the Louisville Metropolitan area, cultivating a meaningful relationship with the community and its economy is crucial. On-campus employment instills a sense of belonging and pride in perseverance in the students impacted—a feeling still seen across the community, as 99% of Bellarmine graduates continue employment or enroll in graduate school within six months, impressing the world with their professional prowess.
To encourage connecting with new students, the Career Development Center holds space for students to walk in and meet an advisor every Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Their office can be found on the bottom level of Centro-McGowan Hall. Alternatively, students can utilize their Bellarmine-sponsored Handshake accounts to remotely schedule appointments for services such as resume editing, interview assistance, and career advising.
Questioning your future career? Looking to build your skill sets, branch out of your comfort zone, or begin developing your professional habits? Bellarmine has the resources and opportunities to get you started.