Career Development

Smith’s reimagining of career development has the goal of increasing career success and satisfaction for every alum. We have launched dynamic, cross-institutional programming that is developmentally staged and infused into students’ daily lives.

Our goals are closely linked with our commitment to equity and inclusion. Career programming will equalize the student experience by broadening the networks and resources accessible to first-generation and low-income students who may lack established networks to support their career goals.

The career development program focuses on early engagement, which is directly tied to career success.

“When our career development services align with our institutional mission and values, we empower our students to pursue any path they choose, confident that they have the skills, curiosity of mind, and support they need to live up to their ambitions and meet society’s needs.”

—Sarah Willie-LeBreton, Smith College President

Career Communities

At the core of the new programming are career communities, clusters that students select based on their interests and strengths. Each community provides a space for students to explore careers, learn about themselves, discover and access resources, connect with internships and jobs, receive coaching, and develop a sense of belonging.

Students engage with networks of peers, employers, alums, industry experts, faculty and staff, making important connections as they determine their internship and career readiness needs.

Margaret Parks ’24

Margaret Parks ’24 is learning everything she can about inclusive design, both on campus and through internships (including one at Boeing), as she aims for a career in engineering.

Isabelle Stevens ’22

Isabelle Stevens ’22 is advancing her playwriting skills, gained at Smith and during college internships, in a MFA program at Boston University while simultaneously working in theater management.

Hannah Henson AC ’22

Hannah Henson AC ’22 is breaking down barriers to education as a counselor for applicants to the Cornell MBA program, particularly women and candidates from marginalized communities.

“We are closing the gap between learning and work so that all students know that career exploration and skill-building is not peripheral, but central, to each of their four years at Smith.”

Faith McClellan, Dean of Career Development

Kathleen McCartney Hall

A new 15,000-square-foot building, Kathleen McCartney Hall, will house the Lazarus Center for Career Development and the Wurtele Center for Leadership , advancing career development, women’s leadership, and equitable outcomes for all students at Smith.

Kathleen McCartney Hall is purpose-built to realize the vision, originally articulated by former Smith President McCartney and more essential every day, to ensure that all students have access to world-class leadership and career education that integrates liberal arts learning with applied experiences.

The new building will be centrally located, welcoming students and visitors, serving as a beacon to prospective students looking for the best in liberal arts career development. Students had a hand in the building design, prioritizing accessibility, inclusion, comfort, and spaces for peer connection.

View of the entry of Kathleen McCartney Hall. Credit: TenBerke, press@tenberke.com Architect: TenBerke

Philanthropic Opportunities

Foundational Endowed Fund for Career Development: $250,000+

Robust funding is required to expand and sustain programming so that every Smith student engages with career development starting from day one and continuing through their career launch. An anonymous alum has given $10 million toward this fund, but Smith continues to seek gifts to meet our $20 million goal.

Endowed Program Fund: $250,000+

This fund provides the greatest flexibility to the program and allows it to use funds where they are most needed.

Endowed Career Communities Fund: $250,000+

Endowed funds sustain the career communities that power the new programming.

Endowed Technology Fund: $250,000+

Endowed funds support leading edge technology to explore strengths, provide access to content experts, and connect employers, alums, faculty and students.

Endowed Internship Fund: $150,000+

Internship funding offers students the opportunity to receive a stipend for unpaid internships and supports experiential learning.

Kathleen McCartney Hall

The new building will overlook Paradise Pond and provide state-of-the-art facilities for supporting students as they envision their futures and prepare for careers. Characterized by a commitment to sustainability, the building’s features—including large windows, responsibly sourced materials, a living roof, connection to Smith’s geothermal energy project, and landscape design that furthers the college’s master plan goals—integrate the new structure sensitively into campus.

We are raising funds for named spaces in the new building. Learn more about these giving opportunities: Kathleen McCartney Hall brochure.

Programming Gifts of $10,000+

We seek funds that support and expand operational expenses for career development programming in key areas: skills training and certification, alum visits to campus for intensive student mentoring, conference attendance for students, and career treks (group visits to professional hubs). We also seek funding for technology, such as job searching software (including international job searching), career guides, and alumnae mentoring software.

Gifts of any Size

We welcome gifts of any size to career development programming through The Smith Fund. Simply select the Career Services Fund when you donate. Your gift will support current expenses for programs that help Smith students envisage, prepare for, and launch careers.

For a list of priority areas and to learn more, contact Betsy Carpenter ’93, associate vice president for development, at 413-585-2052 or ewcarpen@najwc.com.