<p>Pesto, Smith’s CDO was certainly proactive and supplied D with a steady stream of queries from prospective employers, interview opportunities, etc. As a matter of fact, she sometimes had to tell the CDO that she did not have time for some interviews (particularly the ones that involved travel), as she had to give some priority to her academics! My D (with a group of others) also had the opportunity to take a Smith van to a career conference in NYC. I would say there was plenty of activity and support. They also provide resume guidance, etc. </p>
<p>However, most firms that recruit on campus and/or work through Smith are the larger firms, and my D, although she did consider that kind of situation, was really looking for something more boutique/individualized. For a good fit for herself she really had to be proactive in seeking things out rather than just responding to what came her way via the CDO pipeline. So for her needs, the CDO provided plenty of interview experiences, but no “match.” </p>
<p>It took her months after graduation (time she had anyway while she was rehabbing from knee surgery - the result of a dance injury at Smith!) to “figure out” a path for herself. Meanwhile she turned down some opportunities that were just “not quite right.” Had me really anxious, for sure! Did the kid have unrealistic expectations? (I am not referring to salary, but rather to personal fit and interesting career path.) Would she need, at some point, to take just any job? Would she find her place in a post-Smith world?</p>
<p>Well, either there really is a God who for some reason smiled on her OR her approach ended up working (perhaps both?) but finally she got several appealing (to her) offers within a few weeks of each other. A firm that had not even been in the running at first ended up being her top pick. It has been a wonderful match and it is a joy to watch her enthusiastically moving on in her adult life. </p>
<p>So for her, the CDO did not “get” her a job, and she was unemployed for several months after graduation, but it came to a happy conclusion and I am sure the senior year exposure and interview experiences she had were of great benefit. I also imagine the confidence she gained at Smith enabled her to hold out for the right thing for herself rather than “settling” for whatever came along early.</p>
<p>P.S. CDO = Career Development Office</p>