Career Services
Welcome to the Career Services Center at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. Through our system of career and public service oriented programs and initiatives, we provide students guidance and resources necessary for long term professional planning and development. The Clinton School is committed to the identification of core values and personal assets, the development of professional skills and the attainment of career-oriented field experience for students in preparation for their becoming leaders in public service. We offer a number of career development opportunities that are described below.
Career Development Workshops
From resume building to preparing for an interview, the career development workshops assist students throughout the career development process. Workshops include sessions on networking; composing curricula vitae, resumes and cover letters; job search tools and methods; and interviewing tips.
Public Service Seminar
The public service seminar is a 2-credit course offered in the second semester at the Clinton School. It is designed to allow students to analyze the broad field of public service, discuss and plan public service projects and to focus on career opportunities. In addition, students are afforded the opportunity to engage national and international public service leaders to gain a deeper understanding of the organizations they lead, the innovations they foster and the evolving landscape of public service challenges today. In addition, this course will help students build individually tailored networks with domestic and international governmental agencies, NGOs, foundations and community leaders.
Faculty Advising
Upon entering the Clinton School, each student is assigned a faculty advisor. Advisors assist students in making informed and responsible decisions in five areas: the selection of electives, the selection of an international public service project, the development of a capstone project, the identification of professional development opportunities, and the focusing of possible career directions. In partnering students with an academic advisor, the faculty advising program promotes self-reliance in the development of an individually tailored long-term plan of success while at the Clinton School Service and beyond.
Leadership Course
Leadership in Public Service is a core course at the Clinton School that is taught in the student’s first semester. It is designed to help the student identify personal and professional interests, skill sets essential for success in public service careers and leadership characteristics. Integral to this course, students create individual leadership development plans that serve as valuable resources when identifying and targeting career paths. This course also focuses on developing small-group leadership skills essential for community engagement, social change and advocacy activities essential to public service.
Public Programs
The distinguished lecture series offers Clinton School students the opportunity to engage leaders in public service through a series of guest lectures and town hall meetings. Public programs provide students a unique opportunity to network with nationally and internationally renowned public service practitioners. Student-led conversations with these speakers enhance the learning experience and allow networking opportunities only available through face to face contact. Past speakers include former President William Jefferson Clinton, Senator Bob Dole, former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Social activist Naomi Tutu, Partnership for Public Service President Peter Bell and a host of others – all described in the Clinton School’s Research Center. For more information visit www.clintonschoolresearch.com
Public Service Projects
The Clinton School places a large emphasis on practical service learning. It is what makes the Clinton School unique. We have three public service projects, each designed to engage the student in real-life fieldwork. Through direct work with local and national grassroots and non-profit organizations, international NGOs, foundations and government agencies, students have a hand in designing and shaping their educational experience to prepare for future practice and specialization.