The Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) empowers Boilermakers through coaching and connection, guiding them in career exploration, professional development and their next giant leaps after they leave Purdue. 

Boilermakers can utilize several resources at the CCO, including one-on-one meetings, quick chats, career fairs and access to MyCCO, an online career service management system. While a visit to the CCO may include résumé and cover letter review or interview practice, CCO staff strive to facilitate deeper discussions to empower students to make informed and confident career decisions. 

Students like Jenna Hughes, mechanical engineering senior, trust the CCO to help develop their professional industry knowledge. Hughes made an appointment with the CCO after receiving a full-time offer to follow her 2025 graduation. Hughes consulted with CCO staff to discuss the offer in the context of her interests and career goals. 

“I was already excited about my offer, but reviewing the terms with the CCO assured me I was making the best choice for my future,” says Hughes. 

Nicole McCabe, career services consultant, adds in addition to CCO resources that help students personalize their career, the CCO also actively collaborates with employers to understand the key skills and competencies required of the workforce. Employer feedback is incorporated into programming, workshops and resources to ensure students are prepared for the evolving job market. 

“Through employer partnerships, we ensure that students are not only prepared for their first job but for long-term career growth,” McCabe says. 

Mary Andrade, who was hired as senior director of Career Success in 2024, says one of her major goals is to remove barriers for students and employers seeking hiring opportunities.

“To make connections happen, we need information to be accessible and in one place,” Andrade says. This requires building a robust career ecosystem with campus partners so students can find opportunities. Andrade says it’s also helpful for student-facing staff and instructors to connect with the CCO about employment prospects they are developing.

The CCO is also working with a variety of campus partners to develop a centralized platform for job opportunities, making communication between students, employers and Purdue faculty more efficient. 

“We want all Purdue students to be not only career-ready but world-ready,” says Andrade. 

For more information on the CCO, follow this link.