Career Center

On This Page

Welcome to the Career Center

The University Career Center serves Fairfield University students with comprehensive career support services, programming and resources. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their career counselor and set up their Stags4Hire profile as early as the first year on campus.

Career Counselors

Contact your school's career counselors for assistance with career planning, resumes, LinkedIn profiles, virtual interviewing preparation and much more.

Stags4Hire

Visit my.fairfield.edu and click on the Stags4Hire icon to claim your account and search for jobs and internships. Note: Complete the job type, role, and location to increase the chances of employers seeing your profile.

Our Vision and Mission

Vision

The Career Center aspires to be an innovative and integrated unit dedicated to the personal and professional development of all students. The Center seeks to support and enhance the student experience through a comprehensive, holistic and collaborative approach committed to ensuring equal access while empowering individuals on their journey of self-discovery and lifelong learning.

Mission

Consistent with Fairfield University’s unique Jesuit Mission and Identity, the University Career Center provides comprehensive support services, programming, and resources aimed at career readiness and professional growth. The Center promotes self-efficacy, resiliency, and a greater sense of community while fostering intellectual contributions, social awareness, and responsibility.

Graduate Students

For our graduate students, career development is a continuous process that goes well past the undergraduate and graduate years. The University Career Center understands the varied needs of its graduate students and alumni and offers comprehensive career support resources, including:

  • One-on-one appointments
  • Assistance in exploring interests
  • Help with developing professional skills
  • Connections with prospective employers and alumni through information sessions, career fairs, and webinars

Every year, the Career Center releases a Graduate Student Outcomes Report, which provides a summary of post-graduation activities based on surveys completed by Fairfield graduate students within six months of graduation. Download the latest report to see how Fairfield University prepares students to thrive in an ever-changing global market.

2023 Graduate Student Outcomes Report

2022 Graduate Student Outcomes Report

Begin your journey by visiting my.fairfield.edu and looking for the Stags4Hire icon to claim your account and search for jobs and internships. For questions or to speak with a University Career Center staff member, see contacts below.

Career Peer Advisor Program

The Career Center developed the Career Peer Advisor (CPA) position to train students to help fellow students with career-related questions.

The CPA Program is a student leadership program for sophomore, juniors, and senior students interested in helping underclassmen develop career readiness skills. CPAs receive extensive training from the Career Center staff and use that knowledge to meet with and guide students in the career planning process.

Career Peer Advisors assist students with:

  • Resume critiques and writing resumes from scratch
  • Cover letter construction and content
  • Tips for using LinkedIn
  • Navigating Stags4Hire to search for internships and jobs
  • Interview preparation

Expectations:

CPAs volunteer 4 – 7 hours per week during the Career Center's drop-in hours and at events and programs on campus. Drop-in hours are from 1 – 4 p.m., Monday – Thursday. CPAs conduct presentations in residence halls and to clubs, assist with career fairs and plan their own events. CPAs also help to promote career events.

CPAs are expected to attend one mandatory training at the beginning of the semester.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8
  • Demonstrated engagement in personal career development, including but not limited to, experience with individual counseling with Career Center staff, completion of Sophomore Success, and/or attendance at Career Center events and workshops
  • Interest in helping fellow students with career-related questions and concerns
  • Ability to present in a group setting and collaborate with peers effectively
  • Previous internship or work experience
  • Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel preferred) and social media tools

For more information contact the Career Center at careers@fairfield.edu or call 203-254-4081.

Events & Programs

The University Career Center offers events and programs for students to network and build connections with alumni such as Alumni Job Shadow, Career Fairs, Career Peer Advisor Program, Senior Seminar, and Sophomore Success. 

Alumni Job Shadow Program

Fairfield’s Alumni Job Shadow program held during winter break pairs students with alumni professionals across the Northeast and beyond for a day or half-day of rewarding career exploration. Visit the Alumni Job Shadow Program page to learn more.

Career Fairs

The Career and Internship Fair is a valuable opportunity for students to network with employers and learn about a wide range of internship and employment opportunities available to Fairfield University students. With employers offering a variety of career and internships opportunities, the Career and Internship Fair offers students the perfect opportunity to explore their professional interests and launch their career. For more detail, visit the Career Fairs page.

Mock Interview Day

Mock Interview Day is an opportunity for students to sit face-to-face with a professional in their chosen field and conduct an interview. Interviews will be timed and at the conclusion, students will receive real-time feedback on their performance. The professionals will also offer pointers to develop the students’ interview skills and confidence.

Senior Launch

Senior Launch is a series of events that focuses on major issues students face as they prepare for life after graduation. These events give seniors a chance to engage with staff as well as outside experts to get the information they need in order to prepare for their next step.

Topics can include:
  • Finding an apartment in NYC
  • Evaluating benefits and job offers
  • Budgeting

For more information, e-mail careers@fairfield.edu.

Sophomore Success

Sophomore Success is a weekly seminar designed to cultivate students' career development skills and knowledge, providing students with a competitive advantage as they move into junior year. The goal is to make these sessions fun and informative, so we focus on using real-world examples and having great discussions.

Topics can include:

  • How to write a resume
  • Tips for networking with alumni
  • Applying for internships and jobs
  • LinkedIn
  • Interviewing skills

For more information, e-mail careers@fairfield.edu.

More Events & Programs

To get the most current listing of the Career Center's events and programs, please check Life@Fairfield and read the Career Center emails.

 

Career Development Timeline

The Career Center can help at every stage of a student’s career development. All students are encouraged to utilize career resources and services early and often! This timeline outlines many of the opportunities students can participate in during their time at Fairfield.

Students can make an appointment by calling 203-254-4081 or e-mailing careers@fairfield.edu.

  • Make an appointment with the Career Counselor for your school to talk about goals, aspirations, and how to best utilize the next four years.
  • Start working on a resume. Keep a record of all accomplishments and activities.
  • Get involved. Join and participate in clubs, organizations, sports, and/or community service.
  • Work towards a great GPA. If you are having issues in a class, your first step should be to talk with your professor and utilize academic resources.
  • Visit the Career Center’s Life@Fairfield portal and website for events and updates.
  • Keep your social media sites professional and set appropriate privacy settings. Employers conduct searches online, so it is important to maintain a professional image.
  • Take one or all of the “self-assessment inventories” such as the Myers-Briggs, Strong Interest Inventory, or Strengths. These assessments help to determine what career path to pursue.
  • Participate in Sophomore Success, a weekly program where Counselors review career-related topics such as Resumes, LinkedIn, Professionalism, and the Internship/Job search process.
  • Work toward a leadership role in a club or organization. Consider a role such as a Resident Assistant, New Student Leader, Career Peer Advisor, or Eucharistic Minister.
  • Start planning for internships. Career Counselors can assist with this process as can professors.
  • Attend a Stags4Hire workshop. Stags4Hire is the Fairfield University job board where employers who want to hire Fairfield students post jobs and internships.
  • Attend Career Center and school-specific career workshops, employer presentations, and alumni panels to start learning more about potential careers.
  • Start networking. Create a LinkedIn profile. Meet with a Career Counselor to receive important networking tips.
  • Meet with a Career Counselor to further develop your resume (i.e., add summer work). High school activities should not be included at this point.
  • Consider doing an internship for credit during the academic year if it works with your schedule.
  • Upload your resume to Stags4Hire for summer internships. Internships are critical to your success and employers look for them when hiring.
  • Develop tailored cover letters for each position you apply to. You can obtain the cover letter tips handout on the Career Center’s website or Life@Fairfield.
  • If you are planning to attend graduate/professional school, prepare for entrance tests such as the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, or LSAT.
  • Practice for upcoming interviews using InterviewStream (fairfield.interviewstream.com).
  • Attend workshops sponsored by the Career Center or your school. Students can find a list of all events on Life@Fairfield and in the Career Center’s weekly Stags4Hire e-mail.
  • Attend the fall and spring Career & Internship Fairs or the fall Nursing Fair.
  • Apply for the winter break Alumni Job Shadow Program so you can shadow an alumnus/a in a career field you might be interested in pursuing after graduation.
  • Update your LinkedIn profile and learn how to use LinkedIn throughout the networking process.
  • Maintain a professional presence on social media sites. Employers will look at social media profiles during the hiring process.
  • Meet with a Career Counselor to further develop your resume.
  • Make an appointment with a Career Counselor in the fall semester and continue to meet with them to discuss and strategize post-graduation plans.
  • Be proactive in the job, graduate school, or post-grad service search and be aware of deadlines. Follow up on all applications. Set up a spreadsheet to assist in tracking all activity.
  • Attend the fall and spring Career & Internship Fairs or fall Nursing fair.
  • Apply for the winter break Alumni Job Shadow Program to shadow an alumnus/a in a career field you might be interested in pursuing after graduation.
  • Hone your interviewing skills by scheduling a mock interview with a Counselor and participate in the Career Center’s Mock Interview Day.
  • Practice for upcoming interviews using InterviewPrep.
  • Participate in Senior Launch.
  • Continue networking using LinkedIn.
  • Identify people who will be your references. Ask them if they would like to serve as a reference and give them a copy of your resume.
  • If applying to graduate school, Career Counselors can critique your personal statement essay.
  • Maintain a professional presence on social media sites. Employers will look at social media profiles during the hiring process.
  • The Career Center is a lifelong resource — we are here to help you beyond graduation!

First Destination Report

Contact Us

Career staff in the University Career Center and School Centers work with undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni. We are committed to helping Stags throughout their career development process and encourage students to explore to explore all the University's career offerings.

  • Exploring potential majors and careers
  • Resume development and critiques
  • Interview skills
  • Developing networking skills
  • Finding opportunities for post-graduate service
  • Selecting and applying to graduate or professional school
  • Planning and conducting an internship or full-time job search

Fairfield's career offices also hosts workshops, panels, career fairs, and much more, designed to enhance students' skills and expose them to a wide range of industries and professional opportunities.

Contact us either by phone (203-254-4081) or email (careers@fairfield.edu).

College of Arts & Sciences Career & Professional Development Office
Canisius Hall

Make an appointment by calling ext. 2227

Steph Gallo, MS headshot

Steph Gallo, MS

Director of Career Planning
Office of Career and Professional Development
College of Arts and Sciences

Kimberly L. Nickolenko, MA headshot

Kimberly L. Nickolenko, MA

Director of Career Engagement
Office of Career and Professional Development
College of Arts and Sciences

Dolan Career Development Center
Dolan Center 205

Schedule an appointment with a career coach or Professional in Residence (PIR) via email dolancareer@fairfield.edu or call 203-254-4000, ext. 3987

Sarah Bollinger, Ed.D. headshot

Sarah Bollinger, Ed.D.

Director of the Dolan Career Development Center
Get to Know Sarah

Sarah Bollinger, Ed. D.
Director, Career Development

EDUCATION
MEd Higher Education Administration - Student Affairs
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

BA Media Communication Studies
Ursinus College

CERTIFICATES & TRAINING
Educational Technology: Learning Design & Technology
Fairfield University

Management Leadership Institute
National Association of Colleges and Employers

Smart Start Salary Negotiation Facilitator
AAUW

Myers Briggs Type Indicator Practitioner
Center for Applications of Psychology Type

PROGRAMMING SPECIALTIES
Accounting, Business Analytics, Business Undecided, Marketing

University Career Center
Kelley Center
Center Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Drop-in Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 1 – 4 p.m. (check Life@Fairfield for the current schedule)

Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor via e-mail at careers@fairfield.edu or call 203-254-4000, ext. 4081

  • Cath Borgman: Director, Counselor for Nursing & Health Studies and Alumni
  • Sue Quinlivan: Assoc. Dir., Counselor for Engineering and Education & Human Development
Cathleen M. Borgman headshot

Cathleen M. Borgman

Director – Career Center
Susanne M. Quinlivan headshot

Susanne M. Quinlivan

Associate Director, Career Services

Staff

Cathleen M. Borgman headshot

Cathleen M. Borgman

Director – Career Center
Susanne M. Quinlivan headshot

Susanne M. Quinlivan

Associate Director, Career Services
Deirdre Bennett headshot

Deirdre Bennett

Associate Director, Career Center and Employer Engagement
Sandra Toth headshot

Sandra Toth

Recruitment Coordinator

Search Results