Meet the Career, Alumni, and Industry Engagement Team (CAI)
CAI connects Kogod students and alumni with people, programs, and opportunities to help you land meaningful internships and full-time roles and build a reputation that opens doors throughout your career.
Career Development supports students and alumni in becoming industry-ready business leaders through:
- 1:1 career coaching on goals, job/internship search strategy, resumes, LinkedIn, and interviews.
- High-impact programs, career treks, and AI-powered tools to help you explore paths and compete for top roles.
Alumni Relations strengthens lifelong Kogod networks through:
- Access to a global Kogod alumni network for mentoring, panels, and connections across industries and locations.
- Opportunities for alumni to give back through speaking, networking, and supporting current students’ career journeys.
Industry Engagement builds partnerships that bring employers and opportunities directly to you through:
- Employer relationships that bring internships, jobs, and projects to campus through info sessions, office hours, and interviews.
- Company spotlights, panels, and real-world class projects that connect your coursework with current business practice.
Events, Interviews & Coaching
- Show up on time, prepared, and ready to engage.
- Only RSVP if you plan to attend.
- Register only for opportunities that genuinely interest you and do not conflict with other commitments.
- Avoid last-minute cancellations or no-shows, which hurt your reputation and Kogod’s relationships with employers and alumni.
- Treat these as real job interviews: be punctual, prepared, and fully committed.
- Late cancellations or no-shows may result in a registration hold until you meet with the Assistant Dean.
- Cancel before the schedule closes if you can no longer attend.
- Late cancellations or no-shows may require a meeting with the Assistant Dean before you can register for future events.
- Arrive on time and come prepared with specific goals or topics.
- Arriving more than 5 minutes late may result in your appointment being canceled.
- Late cancellations (less than 24 hours) or missed appointments may lead to loss of scheduling privileges.
- Cancel at least 24 hours in advance whenever possible.
- More than two no-shows in a semester may result in loss of access to the Kogod Talent Network.
- In a last-minute emergency, notify the host, call (202) 885‑1908, or email kogodcareers@american.edu.
- Attend all programs for which you register.
- Come ready to participate and engage actively.
Professionalism in Your Career Journey
Treat all commitments with Career Development as professional obligations.
- Approach events, meetings, and interviews as you would in the workplace.
- Recognize that one misstep can damage your personal brand and impact your career.
- Remember that your actions reflect on Kogod and its community.
- Understand that these standards mirror the professional world to prepare you for long-term success.
Manage your search in a way that reflects well on you and on Kogod.
- Apply only to roles that align with your interests and qualifications.
- Withdraw from opportunities if you lose interest or accept another position.
- Accept interviews only when you are prepared and genuinely interested.
- Send thank-you notes within 24 hours of interviews or networking conversations and clearly communicate your interest.
- Meet with a coach to review offers, discuss negotiations, and plan your next steps.
- Accept or decline offers promptly and respectfully.
Dress in a way that matches the event and the impression you want to make.
- Wear business professional (for example, suits or coordinated separates) for job fairs, interviews, and formal networking events.
- Wear business casual (for example, khakis or slacks, dress shirts or blouses, blazers, sweaters) for employer lunches, panels, and office hours.
- Avoid distracting or overly casual clothing; keep hair and facial hair neatly groomed.
Your choices during recruiting have long-term consequences.
- Accept an offer only when you are fully committed.
- Avoid reneging on an accepted offer; it can harm your credibility and future opportunities.
- If you feel unsure about an offer or pressured by a deadline, meet with a coach right away to explore options and strategy.
- Once you accept a position, end your job search and withdraw from other processes.
Keep your materials accurate and polished.
- Update your Kogod Talent Network, LinkedIn, and resume at least once per semester.
- List only experiences and achievements that have already occurred; do not exaggerate or misrepresent.
- Make sure resumes, cover letters, profiles, and emails are error-free and use a professional, respectful tone.
- Use tools and coaching (such as resume reviews or mock interviews) to improve your professional presence.
Help CAI support you, your classmates, and future Kogod students.
- Notify Career Development when you receive and accept an internship or job offer so the team can celebrate with you and focus on students still searching.
- Complete all required KSB and post-graduation surveys; these contribute to rankings and increase the value of your degree.
Kelli Carroll is the Assistant Director of Graduate Career Development at American University’s Kogod School of Business, where she provides personalized coaching and career strategy for MBA and specialized master’s students, as well as alumni. She designs and facilitates workshops, integrates career education into the student experience, and partners with faculty and employers to deliver relevant, impactful programming. Kelli is known for her ability to energize, connect, and organize with purpose. Her background spans higher education, tech bootcamps, and leadership development, giving her a unique perspective on workforce trends and employer expectations. A proud HBCU alumna and advocate for inclusive career practices, Kelli is passionate about helping students gain clarity, build confidence, and take bold steps toward their goals.
