At Muskingum, every student carries a story. Some arrive with confidence and connections. Many arrive with determination but face real barriers: financial pressures, lack of networking opportunities, limited exposure to professional environments, or the challenge of balancing work, school, and family responsibilities.
Creating Opportunity
When students dream big but lack resources, those dreams can feel out of reach. Every internship, research presentation, study-away experience, employer visit, and workshop creates a moment where a student’s future expands and new possibilities come into focus.
A significant number have never met someone in their intended career field. They’ve never visited a corporate office, hospital department, research facility, or nonprofit agency.
They don’t know what professional norms look like — not because they lack ability, but because they haven’t had the opportunity.
They don’t have built-in guidance on navigating internships, resumes, interviews, or workplace expectations.
They rely on the Impact Center to teach them everything from:
- how to network
- how to send a professional email
- how to prepare for meetings
- how to follow up and show initiative
They are working one or two jobs while carrying full course loads.
They make choices like:
- “Do I buy a suit?”
- “Can I afford gas to get to this internship?”
- “Can I take an unpaid opportunity and still pay rent?”
Even a “free” internship isn’t free:
- transportation
- food
- lost wages
- parking
- background checks
Likewise, presenting at a conference involves:
- travel
- hotel
- registration fees
Many students need coaching on:
- initiative
- follow-through
- communication
- time management
- professional etiquette
- workplace expectations
- how to advocate for themselves
These aren’t “soft skills.”
They are career survival skills — and gaining them changes everything.
They are smart, talented, hardworking — but unsure if they “belong” in professional spaces.
A single supportive experience can shift their entire mindset.
A 30-minute conversation with an alum can do more for a student’s confidence and clarity than a semester of coursework.
Most students don’t know a single professional in their intended industry.
What Students Gain Through the Impact Center
- High Impact Experience Grants
- Khanna Career Connections Conference
- Career coaching and advising
- Employer Trips & Tours
- Professional skill development and workshops
- Alumni and professional networks
- Graduate student career resources
- Professional Clothing Closet
- A 24/7 virtual career center with curated resources
Changing Lives
Hundreds of students each year participate in experiential learning that builds confidence, belonging, and career readiness. 
Spencer Carr ’25 received the High Impact Experience Grant to travel to Edinburgh, Scotland. Pictured here is Spencer atop Arthur’s Peak in Edinburgh. As a new Muskingum graduate, he is employed with Pembroke Communications as a Marketing Assistant. 
Employer partnerships are expanding, increasing opportunities for our students across Ohio and beyond.Pictured here are science students working with our employer partner, The Wilds. 
Julia Zalmenak ’24 completed a public health internship in Zambia. Julia assisted with chronic wound care, blood pressure monitoring, immunizations, and counseling. She is now employed as a Health Educator with the Zanesville-Muskingum county Health Department. 
Students who receive High Impact Experience Grants go on to internships, graduate programs, and careers they once believed were out of reach. 
Eden Woodford ’25 completed an internship with Yodel Community Connections as a Frontend Web Developer. She is now a Business and Development Associate working in data and analytics. 
Our career outcomes knowledge rate has climbed from 30% to over 75%- giving students and families real clarity about the value of a Muskingum education.
Student Inspiration
Outcomes
Explore our outcomes page to see where our graduates are working and the roles they’ve secured.