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Houghton Students Granted Access to Interview Room in Office of Vocation and Calling

June 22, 2022

Employers and students alike can now reserve Chamberlain Center Room 101 in the Center for Student Success to conduct job and internship interviews.

According to recent data from an April 2022 report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), virtual meeting spaces appear to be here to stay, with hybrid or fully remote work accounting for roughly 60% of work modalities.

The Interview Room allows Houghton students to connect with prospective employers both locally and around the world. At the end of the Spring 2022 semester, several students were able to utilize the space successfully, connecting with future employers through in-person and virtual environments, thanks to the room’s unique setup.

Jessie-Fay Abbott ’22, received two different job offers following virtual interviews in Chamberlain 101 – one in Buffalo, NY and another in South Carolina. Another senior was able to use the room for a phone interview, allowing for a quiet and private space on campus to negotiate her benefits package.

In August 2021, Dr. Bill Burrichter began envisioning how the Center for Student Success could utilize an available office space in a way that would directly benefit Houghton students. Through research into other career development offices around the country, he presented the idea of creating a designated interview room for the Office of Vocation and Calling. With deep gratitude to the Fleming-Farver family, the Office of Vocation and Calling was able to collaborate with key campus partners to bring this idea into a reality. Even before the room was completed, students began to request use of the space over the course of the Spring 2022 semester.

The Fleming-Farver’s generous gift furnished the technology for this room as well as state-of-the-art window treatments which are designed to control of lighting for an optimal setting for students; they also cut down on distractions of passers-by on the sidewalk. Students have the option to either connect their laptops or log into a desktop set-up. A Blue Yeti microphone, speakers, adjustable ring-light, and webcam help create a professional audio-visual experience for interviewing. Thanks to Monica Lewis and Hannah Bailey, on staff in the Center for Student Success, a variety of room features have been included to provide a calming space to allow students to feel prepared for their interviews. These include:

  • A small digital clock on the desk doubles as a mirror.
  • Floating shelves with simple, tasteful décor including a globe as a reminder that part of Houghton’s mission is to equip students to “lead and labor as scholar-servants in a changing world.”
  • Artwork by Ben Frank Moss and Houghton’s Ted Murphy. One of Murphy’s pieces can be seen in the backdrop of virtual interviews and was strategically selected because it is on canvas which eliminates potential glare from glass.
  • Two brand new adjustable conference chairs offer comfort and ergonomic back support, breathable mesh fabric, and the option for a chair with wheels or without to help reduce unintended movement during an interview. For employers who come to campus, this room is also equipped to host in-person interviews.

When not being used for interviews, the space can be reserved for a quiet location to study, reflect, or schedule a mock interview with Vocation and Calling staff. Students are also provided an infographic printout for how to best prepare for a virtual interview.

Reserve or Schedule an Appointment now