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Make a Connection

Your career journey isn’t something you do alone. The CCPD connects you with alumni, mentors, and professionals who can offer guidance, insight, and opportunities that inspire your next move.

Build Relationships That Open Doors

  • COMPASS — Connecting Opportunities through Mentorship, Professional Alumni Support & Shadowing

    Our signature mentorship and shadowing program that pairs students with alumni and community professionals for real-world career insights

    Explore COMPASS

  • PirateConnect

    Southwestern’s exclusive networking platform for students, alumni, and friends of SU. Find mentors, ask questions, and build professional connections that last.

    Learn More about PirateConnect

Internships & Campus Opportunities

Internships

Internships offer both academic (for credit) and experience-only opportunities, giving you the flexibility to explore careers and gain professional skills at any stage of your journey. Plus, through the Funded Internship Program, you may qualify for financial support to help make unpaid or low-paying internships possible. And Study Away programs in Washington, DC, and New York City combine unique coursework, internships, and on-site networking to kickstart your career

Learn more

Undergraduate Research

SU SURF (Southwestern Undergraduate Research with Faculty) is a student–faculty collaborative research program where undergraduates partner with professors across disciplines to engage in original scholarly and creative projects, with opportunities to present their work to the campus community.

Learn more

On-Campus Employment

On-campus jobs give you valuable work experience close to home. From administrative and service roles to paraprofessional positions like Resident Assistants or Writing Center Consultants, these opportunities help you build skills in teamwork, responsibility, and leadership.

Find student employment

  • Networking

    Professional experiences are woven into everything we do—graduate with real-world work on your résumé and portfolio.Learn how to confidently build relationships in person and online. CCPD advisors coach you on networking strategies that turn conversations into opportunities.

    See Networking Resources

  • Events

    CCPD hosts numerous career fairs, panels, and alumni meetups connect you directly with employers and professionals in your field.

    See All CCPD Events

Not sure how to make your first connection? Meet with a CCPD staff member and we’ll help you get started.

Schedule AN APPOINTMENT