Since the election of President Donald Trump last November, the Dickinson Career Center reports that there has been an “uptick” in the number of students “from all classes” looking for jobs in social justice or education-related fields, according to Philip Jones, dean of the Career Center.

“[Students are] seeking to get involved in jobs or internships that focus on social justice, education, advocacy and fundraising for organizations in these sectors,” Jones says. “The implication, as one senior described it, being that ‘it is more important now than ever to get involved.’”

“I think that in recent months there has been an increased desire to be an advocate for people,” shares Addie Downs ’19, educational studies major.  “Regardless of what they fight for, people are fighting now.  In respect to education…there’s more of a sense of urgency to protect something that people thought didn’t need protecting.”

Jillian Clark ’19, women and gender’s studies major, says the election made her more dedicated to bringing change to the world.

“This election has, for me at least, just fueled the fire that was always there. Nothing’s really changed except my motivation to make change happen.”

Philip Morabito ’17, international business and management major and president of the College Democrats, said he is especially excited about the surge of interest in advocacy jobs. 

“I am excited to hear that more students are seeking out this type of work. In our current political climate, we need people who are going to stand up for those who are often overlooked or targeted.”

Unrelated to the election, members of the class of 2017 are looking for jobs in communications, marketing, finance, non-profit, arts/museums, sports/entertainment, the environment, science research, health, government, education and social justice, Jones reports.

“All students need to understand that every industry has its own timeline and its own way of recruiting,” Jones says.

Jones also advised students that while deadlines for some industries have already passed, others are still figuring out their recruitment criteria.

“For many students looking at finance, their summer internship led directly to a job offer and finance in general tends to be winding down by the end of October; likewise, many government agencies also recruit early, as do large organizations like Teach for America and the Peace Corps,” says Jones. “Many other fields, however, are not even thinking about recruitment yet.”

Jones also advises students to reach out to the Career Center so they can help students with their job search.

“That’s one of the places where we can really help them to develop a personalized approach to their search,” Jones says. 

Appointments for the Career Center can be scheduled through Handshake or via email at [email protected] or via phone at (717) 245-1740.