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Career Center space to undergo major renovations over the summer


Muhlenberg students walking in the basement of Seegers Union may notice something strikingly different about the Career Center come Fall 2017.

Last week, the Center unveiled plans for a significant expansion and renovation of its Career Library space. Upon completion, the new media suite will occupy a larger space than the current Library; it will extend outwards to the support beam in the middle of the hallway as well as have a higher ceiling inside.

According to the initial architectural renderings provided by the Center, the space will be surrounded entirely by glass and will feature College graphics.

Technology will also play a key role in the new media suite. The room will feature a projection screen, which will allow Skype sessions with alumni for certain classes, as well as a soundproof booth for virtual interviews and preparations. Currently, such sessions occur in various offices throughout the Center.

The project began in February 2016, just as current Executive Director Tom Dowd arrived at the College. Initiated by Bill McGlinn, the College’s Director of Corporate, Foundations and Government Relations, the renovations will be funded through a $100,000 grant from the George I. Alden Trust in Massachusetts. The Alden Trust is a non-profit organization which focuses on capital spending grants at small, independent institutes of higher education in New England, as well as Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

Over the summer, McGlinn began writing the grant proposal, and by the beginning of the fall semester, it was submitted. On Dec. 22, at the College’s annual holiday party, the Center was notified that the Trust had approved the grant. Dowd gives significant credit to McGlinn, adding that without his assistance, this project “may not have been possible.”

Ryan Smolko, the Associate Director of Student Engagement and Employment, believes that the larger space combined with new technology will increase flexibility and opportunities for students to utilize the space. For one, the media suite will be available through swipe access after the Center is closed.

“The goal is to make it a more student-accessible facility, in addition to other faculty or staff who may have a use for the space,” said Smolko. “I think the big goal with this space and the Career Center is to increase the level of services that benefit students but also to make it inviting.”

To that end, these renovations reflect a larger goal for both Dowd and Smolko within their roles at the Center: to increase opportunities for students to utilize available career services whenever they feel comfortable, while recognizing that students are often too intimidated to even visit the office.

“I think the big stigma for any student coming in is that we’re going to tell you that you’ve been doing it wrong your entire life,” said Smolko. “Learning to build bridges with us can open so many opportunities. The more we know students and what they’re interested in, the more help and services we can offer.”

Likewise, Dowd hopes that the new media suite will reiterate the concept that the Center as a whole is a “non-judgmental” place.

“We’re trying to be an overall inviting space because the Career Center can be intimidating for students,” said Dowd. “The space will pique interest as students see what goes on inside.”

Currently, the plans are for construction to begin at the conclusion of the spring semester, with an estimated completion date sometime before classes resume in the fall. Overall, similar to other services throughout Seegers Union, the Center looks forward to incorporating the new space into their student-driven goals.

“We want to equip students with the tools to get careers that they’re passionate about,” said Smolko. “The space is really to benefit our students and that’s why this process was launched."

All photos courtesy of Ian Adler. Renderings courtesy of the Career Center.

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