Colby's commitment to the liberal arts embraces the firm belief that the breadth and quality of a Colby education should be extended to include an equally broad choice of meaningful and rewarding career opportunities. Located in the Eustis Administration Building, the Office of Career Services strives to acquaint students with career options, offers insight into various professions, and assists in preparation for the actual career search. Students, parents, and alumni are invited to visit the office to discuss career concerns, offer suggestions, and avail themselves of the resources.

The staff works with academic advisers and other members of the faculty and staff to assist undergraduates in the selection of courses and experiential options that best meet each student's individual interests and needs. Students considering careers in medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry are advised to meet with a member of the Health Professions Preparation Committee for these areas as early as possible in the first year, and those interested in law and business should see the pre-law or pre-business advisers.

The Career Services library includes extensive information on career fields, job-search techniques, current employment openings for permanent and summer positions, internships, and graduate-degree programs. Computers and typewriters also are available for student use.

Students are encouraged to experiment with CHOICES, a computer program that provides interest testing and value determination as well as information about hundreds of professions. Workshops and individual counseling on career exploration, job search, and interviewing techniques can be as helpful to the underclass student seeking a summer job or January internship as to the senior seeking a permanent career opening. In addition, a lifetime reference file may be opened at any time, and an e-mail newsletter is distributed throughout the campus on a weekly basis, listing current activities and programs as well as career-related opportunities. All job openings also are posted on the Career Services searchable Web site.

Specific programs for seniors include a recruitment program that brings representatives from graduate and professional schools to the campus in the fall and from a wide variety of employers throughout the year. Consortium programs with other institutions allow for the opportunity to interview with a variety of additional firms and organizations at single locations in Portland, Boston, and New York City. Information and applications for the Graduate Record Examinations, Graduate Management Admission Test, Law School Admission Test, Medical College Admissions Test, National Teachers Examination, and the Foreign Service Examination can be obtained by seniors in the office. The LSAT and MCAT are administered at Colby at least twice each year.

With the generous support of Colby graduates and parents of current students, a broad network of persons in various professions and widespread geographical locations has been established to assist students and alumni in career exploration. Parents and alumni have agreed to conduct informational interviews, be hosts for on-site visits, sponsor internships for January and the summer, and provide housing for interns and job seekers in their areas. Information on these opportunities can be obtained from the Office of Career Services. More specific information on January internships and other field experience options is also available in the Office of Career Services.