Careers For The Common Good (ELSJ 23)

Do you know you want to “make a difference” in your work and life but aren’t yet sure how to do so? This 2-unit course, offered in the Fall Quarter, exposes students to social realities and injustices both locally and internationally, with the intent of understanding the complex relations between privileged and marginalized groups.

Through reflection and a variety of activities, students will be able to articulate their interests and talents and the career applications to particular needs in the world.

Through the Arrupe Weekly Engagement program (Link to  Ignatian Center page) students take their learning outside of the classroom, spending a few each week engaged with a community partner organization.  This engagement allows students to work with and learn from the local  community and gain valuable experiences and insights that deepen their understanding of class topics.

Students  choose from a wide range of engagement opportunities, working with populations including children, adolescents, the elderly, immigrants, English language learners, people with developmental or physical disabilities, the homeless, and more at Community Partner Organizations (link to Ignatian Center Community Partners page) including:

Speakers representing a variety of industries and diverse perspectives share their vocational journey and address the social realities and injustices their work addresses.  Speakers also provide practical insight into their organization and industry and share advice and resources for students interested in pursuing work in their field.  Topics addressed by speakers and panelists include Nonprofits, Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, Healthcare, Year of Service, Tech for Good, and more.

Previous class speakers have represented organizations including: 

“I was able to directly connect with various speakers.  This has greatly helped me in my internship search and informational interview practice.”

“The speakers provided great insight into their chosen career paths which helped me gain insights into my own potential career path” 

-Careers for the Common Good students, highlighting the impact of the class speakers

The class incorporates activities and assignments that help students learn more about themselves and prepare them for their internship or job search. These include self-assessments like StrengthsQuest and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, development of a resume and LinkedIn profile, conducting an informational interview, and participating in a mock interview.

“This class helped a lot in teaching me how to write resumes, cover letters, and build my LinkedIn profile so that I am better prepared when trying to find internships or jobs later on.”

“I felt as if I was using class time to work on the things I need in real life”

-Careers for the Common Good students, reflecting on the value of career development activities and resources

These elements, combined with written reflection and class discussions, provide students with the tools and resources to pursue a career direction and make life decisions that are personally meaningful and socially beneficial.

Careers for the Common Good - ELSJ 23 fulfills the ELSJ core requirement and is in the Vocation Pathway. For more information about the class, call the Career Center at 408-554-4421.