Career Champions Engagement Options
There are many ways faculty & staff Career Champions can make at difference at Notre Dame. This page identifies some of the options for engaging beyond the 1-on-1 conversations you may have with students. To further discuss any of these options, email careerchampions@nd.edu or schedule a meeting with the CCD's Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships.
Hosting an employer in class (faculty) or an event (staff)
Referring your employer contacts to the CCD
Connecting alumni in your network with the CCD
Serving as a CCD liaison to colleagues in your department
Hosting an employer in class (faculty) or an event (staff)
Inviting employers to your class or hosting them at events is a powerful way to provide students with real-world insights and opportunities. Faculty can partner with the CCD Employer Engagement Team to bring guest speakers, panelists, or case study facilitators directly into their classroom, enriching the curriculum with industry perspectives. Staff can collaborate with the CCD to host employers at their residence halls, in student organization events, or during other programs on campus. These interactions give students direct access to professionals in their field of interest, helping them build connections, explore career options, and gain valuable advice. The CCD can assist with outreach and logistics to ensure these experiences are impactful and seamless. Email careerchampions@nd.edu to start the process.
Incorporating career development materials/topics into your classroom, residence hall, team, or events
Embedding career development into your classroom, residence hall programming, or team activities helps students see career preparation as a natural extension of their educational journey. Faculty might integrate resume-building assignments, industry research projects, or discussions about transferable skills into their courses. Staff can incorporate career exploration activities into workshops or campus programs. The CCD offers ready-to-use materials like templates, videos, and guides to make incorporating these topics easy and effective. These small additions can have a significant impact on students’ readiness for internships, jobs, or graduate school applications. Email careerchampions@nd.edu with your idea and CCD staff can help bring it to life.
Referring your employer contacts to the CCD
Whether you previously worked outside of higher ed, or currently engage in consultative projects in business or industry, faculty and staff often have active networks of employer contacts. If you know of employers who are looking to recruit talent or want to connect with the university, referring them to the CCD can open doors for students. This could be a company seeking to post job or internship opportunities, participate in career fairs, or give a presentation, and the CCD can facilitate those connections. Your introduction ensures that these organizations have a streamlined way to engage with the university while giving students access to new opportunities. Sharing contact information with careerchampions@nd.edu or simply making an email introduction can have a lasting impact on students’ career options.
Connecting alumni in your network with the CCD (e.g. for sharing job opportunities, recruiting students, networking, speaking on panels, informational interviews,etc.)
Alumni are some of the most valuable resources for current students, offering networking opportunities, career advice, and firsthand insights into industries. By connecting alumni in your network to the CCD, you can help create opportunities for them to share job openings; recruit students; or participate in events like panels, networking nights, informational interviews, or career fairs. The CCD can handle the details, making it easy for alumni to contribute in ways that fit their availability. Your referral strengthens the alumni-student connection and builds a bridge for ongoing professional support.
If you know an engaged alum, please encourage them to click the "Get Started" button at https://careerdevelopment.nd.edu/alumni/.
Serving as a CCD liaison to colleagues in your department
As a CCD liaison, you become a key advocate for career development within your department. This could involve staying informed about CCD resources, events, and initiatives and sharing relevant updates with your colleagues. You might also gather feedback from your department about student needs and communicate these insights to the CCD. This two-way connection helps ensure that students in your department have access to tailored career support. Being a liaison doesn’t require a significant time commitment, but it does make a meaningful difference by fostering collaboration and ensuring students are well-supported. Want to learn more? Schedule a brief meeting to discuss ideas that will work best for you and your department.
If you have any questions, please call 1-5200 or email us at careerchampions@nd.edu.