Career & Professional Development
Career Ready From Day One
Your Future Career
At Manchester University, your future starts before graduation.
Through career coaching, experiential learning, internships, employer connections, and the Spartan Ready program, you’ll develop the skills, experiences, and confidence needed to thrive after Manchester.
Why Career Readiness Matters
More Than a Degree
Today’s employers are looking for graduates who can communicate effectively, solve complex problems, adapt to change, collaborate with diverse teams, and apply knowledge in real-world environments.
Manchester helps students intentionally develop these competencies throughout their college experience. Based on the Spartan Ready framework and competency model, students are guided to build experiences, reflect on learning, and communicate their value to employers and graduate schools.
The Spartan Skills Advantage
Earn badges and build up your skills to increase your attractiveness to future employers. Enter the workforce with confidence and credible documented experience. Is your skillset ready for today’s competitive job market?
Contact Career and Professional Development
Location
- Chinworth Center, Room 103
- Monday – Friday
- 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- (260) 982-5025
Critical Thinking
Experiential Learning
Exercising Ethical Judgement
Complex Problem Solving
Oral Communication
Analyzing & Interpreting Data
Utilizing Technology
Written Communication
Motivation & Innovation
Collaborative Teamwork
Cross Culteral Understanding
Adaptability & Flexibility
The Spartan Ready Journey
Four Years. One Purpose.
Build Foundations
Build Foundations
Get Involved
Get Involved
- Campus Employment
- Organizations
- Leadership
- Athletics
Gain Experience
Gain Experience
- Internships
- Research
- Study Away
- Micro-Internships
Launch Your Future
Launch Your Future
- Portfolio
- Employer Partnerships
- Applications
- Graduate School Planning
Explore Opportunities
Learn through internships, research, study away, and applied experiences.
Career Preparation
Develop professional skills and confidence through coaching and workshops.
Meet employers, attend career fairs, and build your network.
Track your growth and prepare for life after Manchester.
Engage. Equip. Empower
Experiential Learning
At Manchester University, learning extends beyond the classroom. Through internships, undergraduate research, study away opportunities, student employment, and other hands-on experiences, students apply what they learn in real-world settings while developing the skills employers and graduate schools value most.
Experiential learning helps students build confidence, explore career interests, strengthen professional networks, and gain practical experience before graduation. Whether collaborating with faculty on research, participating in a study away program, completing an internship, or engaging in project-based work, students have opportunities to connect academic knowledge with meaningful professional growth.
These experiences often help students develop key career-ready competencies such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem solving, and cross-cultural understanding—skills that support success long after graduation.
Ready to learn more?
Explore Manchester University’s experiential learning opportunities and discover how hands-on experiences can help shape your future.