Whitman’s CCEC: A One Stop Shop for Career Development

The start of my college career was filled with a lot of uncertainty about what I wanted to do after college, so I looked for help. I started talking to the Career and Community Engagement Center (CCEC) at Whitman before I even stepped foot on campus, thanks to their convenient virtual appointment options. Since then, I’ve had just about every type of appointment that the CCEC offers: resume reviews, mock interviews, fellowship and grant info sessions, and my personal favorite: “check-ins” for when you want to talk to someone but you’re not sure what you need help with. The support I received from the CCEC means so much to me that I started working as a Student Career Advisor. So, I thought I’d provide a brief overview of the many things the CCEC does and how it can help shape your career path.

Students interacting on a field.

First, the CCEC can help you get involved in the Walla Walla community through one of our community engagement programs. Walla Walla has so many nonprofits and community organizations—almost one hundred of them—so I'm sure you'll find the perfect opportunity for you. I’ve been a part of the Whitman Friends Program, which pairs adult mentors with young students who might need some support. It’s a lot of fun! I’ve loved my weekly visits with my friend at one of the nearby elementary schools.

Now, as far as career preparation goes, I cannot say enough good things about the career coaches and other staff in the CCEC (and I’m not just saying that because they’re my bosses)! I came to Whitman with a few ideas of what I could do after graduating. Throughout the years, thanks to their support, I had multiple jobs on campus, participated in a summer internship funded by the Whitman Internship Grant, and currently hold student leadership positions in the CCEC and Office of Admission. Plus, they host Whitties Helping Whitties events, which help students connect with Whittie alums who are experts in their fields.

As I finish up my last semester, I have a solid plan of what post-grad can look like for me—whether it’s an AmeriCorps position or graduate school options—thanks to the guidance of so many Whitman alumni, past supervisors and Walla Walla community members that I’ve gotten to interact with over the years. The confidence I have in myself and my future steps have been made possible by helpful career coaches, wise alums, and the huge catalog of resources that have helped me learn more about myself and the professional fields around me.

An advisor discussing an opportunity with a student.

I really cannot imagine where I would be without the CCEC. Walla Walla and Whitman have been the perfect environment for me, and have truly helped me grow from an unsure first-year student to a soon-to-be college graduate with a plan. So thank you CCEC! I’ll be reaching back out to the CCEC in a year to talk about graduate school.

Odin McDermott ’24 (he/him) will be graduating in December with a double degree in Sociology and Rhetoric, Writing, and Public Discourse. Originally from Kailua, Hawai’i, he’s been pleasantly surprised by the fact that he did survive a real winter with snow!