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Career Development & Professional Engagement

Support

In today’s global economy, there is a critical need for employees who are skilled problem-solvers and critical thinkers. William & Mary has a long-standing reputation for training graduates to be prepared for the careers of today as well as for jobs that have yet to be created.

With your support, we can ensure that all students have access to the career development programs, services, connections and resources to transition confidently into a successful career.

Make a Gift Today

Your Support Makes a Difference

No matter what career path a student chooses, the team of professionals at the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement is there to help — and we hope you are too. Your generous contribution will allow students to pursue meaningful and interesting opportunities that might not be possible otherwise. There are several ways to make an impact:

Make a Direct Gift

From helping to cover a student’s cost to participate in programs such as the Etiquette Dinner or Mix & Mingle to supporting transportation or lodging for a student’s career immersion trip or internship, every gift — no matter the size — has the potential to change a life. Your gift would allow the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement to serve more students by ensuring that an inability to pay for sponsored activities doesn’t keep students from finding their dream career.

Individuals and organizations can also strengthen their connections with W&M students, staff and faculty by sponsoring a specific career services program or part of a program.

Make Your Gift Today

Establish an Endowment

Those who want to create a legacy of outstanding leadership and enduring generosity may choose to contribute to an endowment or establish their own endowment with a minimum gift of $100,000 over five years. These contributions generate permanent income streams to support key initiatives and play a critical role in our future ability to help students be career-ready. Endowments also greatly enhance our long-term capacity to fund the goals and priorities of the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement, enabling us to continue to expand our services.

Lauren Forsythe Testimonial

“What may surprise you is that without the $800 stipend I received through FUSE, my life-changing internship simply would not have been possible. To me, this underscores the incredible impact donors can make for all students, especially those like me who just needed a little extra help during a difficult time.”

– Lauren Forsythe ’21

Strong Tradition of Empowering Career Success

Strong Tradition of Empowering Career Success

In addition to advising, workshops, mock interviews, resume critiques and other resources, the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement staff provide many specialized programs designed to support students as they navigate their interests and launch a career. With your help, we can make the following programs available to more students who otherwise may not have the financial resources to participate.

Career Readiness Programs
  • Etiquette Lunch or Dinner Series: instruction in the subtleties of dining manners and protocols for business meals and interviews
  • Mix & Mingle: How to Work a Room: interactive networking program to shape future success
  • Suit Up: transportation for students to participate in JCPenney’s career wear discount program
  • Dress to Impress Closet: professional attire available on campus to borrow for interviews and other career-related opportunities
Career Exploration Programs
  • My Active Career Exploration Series (MACE): six-week self-assessment program to research and confirm
    career interests and goals
  • Trips & Treks: opportunities for career path investigations in technology, science, finance, creative, political and other fields through travel to learn from industry professionals in major cities nationwide
  • Science Career Expo: exposure to connections and career options through professionals in areas such as science museums, biomedical, science communications, environmental and engineering
Career Development Programs
  • Funding for Unpaid Summer Experience (FUSE): financial support available to students who may not be able to take an unpaid internship due to financial constraints
  • Recruiting Events: Meet the Firms, Career & Internship Fairs, Career Diversity Expo and other large-scale events occur throughout the year on campus and on-location in various metro areas
meet-the-firms-feature.jpg

Funding for W&M internships and applied learning increased tenfold

In February 2023, a new $1-million gift supporting career development at William & Mary was announced that triples the number of students annually who can receive university funding for internships and other applied learning opportunities and substantially increases the amount of the individual grants available, starting in Summer 2023.

The two-year commitment by W&M Foundation trustee Darpan Kapadia ’95 to the Career Center Student Internship Fund is the largest gift in the university’s history that directly supports internships. The gift will allow at least 100 undergraduates per year to receive up to $5,000 each for unpaid or underpaid applied learning experiences in 2023 and 2024. Over the two years, the gift multiplies by 10 the amount of available funding, paving the way for a sustained increase in the years ahead.

Learn More

Questions?

Contact Anna Sease, Senior Director of Parent & Family Giving at amsease@wm.edu or 757-221-1647.