Why Furman: The Career Preparation Perspective

Hi everyone! My name is Gracie, and I am a senior here at Furman. As graduation approaches, I’ve been reflecting on my time at Furman and finding myself incredibly grateful for the career development opportunities I’ve had along the way. Figuring out what you want to do after college can be a lot, but at Furman, you’re not expected to have it all figured out at first. From exploring different interests to landing internships and prepping for life after graduation, Furman gives students a ton of support along the way. From workshops and networking events to helpful professors and student organizations, career development here is really about trying new things, asking questions, and building confidence in your own time. Here’s a bit more about what Furman has to offer:

The Malone Center:

The Malone Center for Career Engagement at Furman University supports students in exploring, preparing for, and pursuing their career goals through personalized guidance and a wide range of resources. The center offers one-on-one career counseling, internship and job search support, resume and interview preparation, and networking opportunities with alumni and employers. The Malone Center partners with faculty, student organizations, and community leaders to help students connect their academic experiences to meaningful career paths, equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive after graduation. The best part: these are lifelong services. Even after your time as a student comes to an end, you can always contact the Malone Center for career support. 

Center For Engaged Learning:

Furman’s Center for Engaged Learning helps students connect their classroom experiences with real-world opportunities through hands-on, immersive learning. The Center supports high-impact practices like undergraduate research, internships, study away programs, and community-centered projects, all of which are key parts of our famous “Furman Advantage.” By guiding students through these experiences and helping them reflect on what they’ve learned, the Center for Engaged Learning plays a big role in helping students discover their passions, develop practical skills, and prepare for life after graduation. 

The Cothran Center:

Furman’s Cothran Center for Vocational Reflection supports students in thinking deeply about their purpose, values, and long-term personal AND professional goals. While it’s not a traditional career services office, the Cothran Center plays an important role in career development by helping students explore questions like “What kind of life do I want to lead?” and “How can my career reflect who I am?” Through programs like mentoring, retreats, and reflective workshops, the center encourages students to consider how their talents, passions, and sense of calling can shape meaningful career paths. 

These resources play a role in why our students chose to attend Furman.

My Why Furman: Grayson Taylor:

Grayson says, “My experience at Furman University has substantially prepared me for my future career through my academic ventures in the Politics and International Affairs and Communication Studies departments and many experiences outside the classroom. Through conversations with the Center for Engaged Learning, Katie Maxwell encouraged me to grow out of my comfort zone and reach out to alumni who worked in fields I was curious about.

Through developing these professional connections, I found a potential opportunity at Kimley-Horn, a national engineering and design consulting firm with an opening for a Marketing Intern in their Charlotte office. I took a leap and put myself out there, utilizing career preparation skills I learned in my Pathways class, and was offered the summer internship position! At the conclusion of my summer internship, I was presented with a return offer to come back to Kimley-Horn following graduation. This opportunity would not have been possible without Furman’s small class sizes, meaningful professor relationships, or leadership and planning opportunities within student organizations.”  

My Why Furman: Mary Pearson:

Senior Mary Pearson says, “Furman helped me start making connections and building my network as early as freshman year. By sophomore year, I was doing an internship in my potential career field in Bangkok, Thailand. I then expanded my network through other abroad experiences. While I was abroad, the internship office helped me in finding a Furman alum who had good advice and knew of opportunities I could pursue. I was able to secure my first internship at Insight Global, working in sales because of the mentorship of Furman alumni. Now, as I graduate, I have a position in New York City, continuing my journey in discovering the business field and sales. This opportunity was also brought to my attention through an alum. The Furman network has set me up for success in the business field, and helped me feel supported as I transition into post grad life.” 

At Furman, career development is more than just landing a job, it’s about discovering who you are, what you care about, and how you want to make an impact. With a wide range of resources like I’ve mentioned above, and many other programs and opportunities across campus, students are supported at every step of the way. Whether you’re gaining real-world experience, reflecting on your purpose, or exploring new possibilities, Furman gives you the tools to grow with confidence and clarity. No matter where you’re headed, you’ll have support as you figure it out—and that support makes all the difference.

–Gracie