Career Preparation
Resources and support for professional success
We’re here to support your entire professional evolution at Simmons, from that pivotal first internship through your transition into leadership roles.
Through the Simmons Edge, you’ll follow an integrated path that blends academics with real experience, and accelerated programs so you can hit the ground running in your career. You’ll fine-tune your interests and build confidence as you go. The Office of Career Development and Employer Relations helps you link your coursework to career goals, so every semester moves you closer to fulfilling your ambitions.
Do work that makes an impact
If your goal is to create change, you’ll find the support to do it. You’ll work closely with faculty who will invest in your growth and challenge you to think bigger.
- Get involved in clinical placements, internships, study abroad, and service projects
- Explore big ideas and bring them to fruition through research and fellowship opportunities
- Discover your strengths through mentoring and leadership opportunities
- Access academic support, including individualized advising, to keep you motivated and on track
When you graduate, you’ll be ready to lead with purpose, supported by real experience and a clear direction.
Turning connections into opportunity
Your network starts here and keeps growing. Employer partnerships build on Simmons' long-standing excellence in social work, library science, nursing, and the health professions.
• Gain access to employers who value your preparation and your purpose.
• Discover roles that fit your goals and get one-on-one guidance from a career coach through Handshake.
• Visit the Career Engagement Network, a resource that helps online students and alumnae/i advance their careers
Undergraduate Student Internship and Career Stories
Finding Her ‘Why’: One Simmons Student’s Path to Advocacy
Kayla Baillargeon ’25 ’28MSW used her personal experiences and passion for helping others to advance a career in parent advocacy. Now, by earning her online bachelor's degree and pursuing a master's at Simmons, she is gaining the skills and credentials needed to shape the growing field.
Candor and Care: The Impact of Faculty on Returning Students
After nearly three decades in corporate leadership, Theresa Stephens-Tillmon ’27 returned to school, enrolling in Simmons’ online degree completion program to pursue a psychology degree and a new purpose: helping others get unstuck through life coaching. With the support of her instructors and the staff at Simmons, she’s embarking on these meaningful second acts and finding growth.
Digitizing Local Archives and Reminiscing with Alumnae/i
Jenn Leishman ’26 reflects on choosing their major, an internship in the West End Museum in Boston, favorite courses, and how Simmons helped prepare them for a career as a library professional.
Meaningful Mentorship, Received and Given
Nursing major Lisa Aboagye-Kodjoe ’26 reflects on her time at Simmons and her involvement with the Dotson Bridge and Mentorship program, the Honors Program, and Girls, Inc.
Revelations in the Lab, Rewards on the Field
Piper Kinney ’26 discusses her involvement in research and studying both neuroscience and public health give her two essential and complementary perspectives on medicine. She also reflects on being a student athlete during her time at Simmons.
International Honors Student Studies Economic Development
Paulina Rodas Mejia ’26, a double major in economics and international relations, is pursuing research in economic development. We spoke with her about her interdisciplinary interests, the honors program, and being an international student from Honduras at Simmons.
Neuroscience Student Finds Purpose in Lab Research
Undergraduate neuroscience major and physics minor Sonia Vader ’26 shares her experience in the Focused Ultrasound Lab at Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Radiology Department.
Athlete Discovers Value of Nutrition
Accelerated student Arianna Joyce ’26, ’27MS is a competitive figure skater who is passionate about nutrition. We spoke with her about the encouraging community at Simmons and the value of an accelerated education.
Graduate Student Career Stories
Behavior Analysis Student Helps Children Reach Milestones
Josie Re ’26MS, a student in the Online Master of Behavior Analysis, shares what led her to the field, and her experience in an online classroom.
Social Work Alum Advances Community Mental Health
Jordyn Hagar '23PhD reflects on how the Social Work PhD helped her successfully develop and disseminate her mental health awareness training program, Stronger Together, which is now accessible online.
Dual Degree Alumnus Found His Voice at Simmons
Alec Chunn '15MA/MS reflects on how the Children's Literature & Library Science dual degree has informed his work as a reviewer of children's literature, a jurist for literary prizes, and a Youth Librarian at Multnomah County Library in Portland, Oregon.
Examining Critical Roles of School Librarians
Kimberly R. Lavoie PhD’26 reflects on the most impactful part of her doctoral journey: conducting dissertation research, examining how school librarians understand and enact their roles in post-pandemic K–12 education.
Double Shark in Behavior Analysis Examines Microaggressions
Amy Maladore ’16MS ’25PhD earned her master’s and PhD in behavior analysis from Simmons, and her research explores the use of behavior analytic concepts to increase recognition of racist behavior. We spoke to Maladore about what brought her to study behavior analysis at Simmons.
Specializing in Visual Literacy and Women’s Military History
Aurora Daniel ’26MSMA had the honor of serving as the president of the Library and Information Science Student Association, the student government for Simmons’ School of Library and Information Science while pursuing her Masters in Library and Information Science and Master of Arts in History.
Finding Inspiration in Taiwan’s Night Markets
Children’s Literature and Writing for Children graduate Emily Sun Li ’24MA/MFA reflects on her road to becoming a published author and how Simmons supported her career path.
Alumna Embraces Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature
Since completing her master of arts in children’s literature at Simmons, Amber Weinstock ’24MA has begun her doctoral studies at the University of Connecticut. We caught up with Weinstock, winner of the 2024 Graduate Student Essay Award, to ask how Simmons prepared her for her current studies.
Simmons Alumnae/i Career Stories
Behavior Analysis Student Helps Children Reach Milestones
Josie Re ’26MS, a student in the Online Master of Behavior Analysis, shares what led her to the field, and her experience in an online classroom.
Alumna Finds Meaning in Intensive Care Nursing
Olivia Panagiotou ’23 shares how her siblings inspired her to study nursing at Simmons, and to explore career opportunities in intensive care nursing.
Building Confidence to Lead in Online Degree Program
Simmons’ online degree completion program gave Rashida Alisha Hagakore ‘24 more than a degree in business — it transformed her career trajectory. Gaining confidence, leadership skills, and a new professional identity, she advanced into a supervisory role and now approaches her work with clarity, strategy, and purpose.
Social Work Alum Advances Community Mental Health
Jordyn Hagar '23PhD reflects on how the Social Work PhD helped her successfully develop and disseminate her mental health awareness training program, Stronger Together, which is now accessible online.
Bridging Public Art and Public Service
Art history major Cathie Behrend ’70 recently received a Legacy Award from the 92nd Street Y in New York City. We spoke with her about receiving this honor, her love of art and public service, and her Simmons experience.
Communications Alumna Finds Her Place in the Sports Industry
Laura Doran ’09 has made her career in sports. Now a member of the Advisory Board for the business and leadership in women’s sports concentration, Doran shares how Simmons can prepare students to enter this growing field.
Dual Degree Alumnus Found His Voice at Simmons
Alec Chunn '15MA/MS reflects on how the Children's Literature & Library Science dual degree has informed his work as a reviewer of children's literature, a jurist for literary prizes, and a Youth Librarian at Multnomah County Library in Portland, Oregon.
Nursing Alumna Reflects on Impact of Art and Music
Roberta Holder-Mosley ’73 shares reflections on her long career in nursing, midwifery, and public service, as well as how art history, poetry, and Glee Club added richness to her Simmons experience.
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The Office of Career Development and Employer Relations
The Office of Career Development and Employer Relations is here to empower all Simmons students and alums with the expertise, skills, and resources to engage in, access, and explore diverse opportunities for their life’s work, integrating their passion with their purpose in meaningful careers.