Office of Career &
Life Calling

Cornerstone University’s Career Services is dedicated to preparing students for meaningful work and opportunities to be bold, Christ-centered influencers in a wide variety of industries and ministries.

Employers are looking for degree-holders whose technical and interpersonal skills and experiences demonstrate they are reliable, hardworking, coachable and tenacious individuals prepared to innovate their teams.

To prepare Cornerstone students best, we collaborate with a nationally known employment agency to confirm what employers are asking for and provide students a Workplace Readiness Roadmap.

Cornerstone’s Workplace Readiness Roadmap documents the holistic preparation students receive throughout classroom learning, service learning, internship and experiential learning and co curricular training and leadership opportunities.

Explore the ways we prepare our graduates.

Problem Solving, Teamwork and Communication Skills

The CU Promise at Cornerstone provides deliberate career preparation by equipping students beyond the technical competencies of their academic majors to be problem solvers, able to work on diverse teams and lead with integrity and a moral framework rooted in the Christian Worldview.

Ready to Lead

Cornerstone prepares students to be Bold. Christ-centered. Influential. The Career Services team in partnership with the Office of Spiritual Formation & Christian Community offers the CU LEAD program: Learn. Engage. Acquire. Develop. Cornerstone students experience four years of intentional Christ-centered leadership development to prepare them with practical skills they need to succeed in their career, ministry and life. Through this journey, students receive leadership training tailored to their stage of growth. Most importantly, CU LEAD is rooted in Biblical leadership and character principles as image-bearers of Jesus Christ.

Faculty and Industry Mentorships

On-campus students are assigned a faculty mentor who models Christ-centered professionalism and intentionally connects them with industry partners and career professionals. Through these avenues of mentorship, students have opportunities for:

• Career advice
• Networking
• Professional conference participation
• Co-publishing
• Internship supervision

Industry mentors are regularly invited to advise university curriculum, supervise internships and provide networking opportunities in their field.

Internships and Experiential Learning

All students in an on-campus major are required to complete a full semester of internship with local or national opportunities in their field of study. Career Services staff facilitate internship placement and faculty provide supervision for students.

Employers at a Glance

Check out a few of the hundreds of places our graduates get jobs.

• BMO Financial Group
• Crowe LLP
• Gentex Corporation
• Grand Rapids Police Department
• Grand Rapids Public Schools
• Hope Network
• Howies Hockey Tape
• Keys for Kids Ministries
• Lake Michigan Credit Union
• Montana State University – Department of Ecology
• National Heritage Academies
• Northwestern Mutual – Anaheim
• OtterBase
• Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
• RDV Corporation
• Reach Records
• SpartanNash
• Swoboda Inc
• Tekton, Inc.
• Thrivent
• University of Michigan Health-West
• Wedgwood Christian Services

On-Campus Student Jobs

Employers tell us that often “any work experience” can translate to the character and skills they desire out of the gate for new employees. Cornerstone offers hundreds of flexible on-campus work experience opportunities for students while they study. Our staff are committed to supporting student workers in development of superior skills and preparation for the transition to full-time professional experiences after graduation.

Career Resources:

Career Assessment Tools

Cornerstone is committed to helping students as they explore interests, goals, and aptitude when selecting a path of study and building toward a career.

• PathwayU: Students can identify possible career paths and continuously refine their interests, build resumes, write cover letters and practice interviewing skills.
• StrengthsFinder: Students identify existing strengths and personality traits, building their intrapersonal skills.
• Working Genius: Students benefit from Lencioni’s Working Genius model and assessment to understand their working geniuses and frustrations to both reach their full potential and find jobs that match how God has gifted them towards work.

Career Preparation

Career Services has dedicated professionals ready to serve students in the center, in the classroom and in the field. Students have access to dozens of career-oriented resources and services such as:

• Career coaching
• Networking best practices and help
• Employer recruiting opportunities
• Internship planning

Job Search Guidance & Graduate School Preparation

With help from our staff and faculty, students are ready to tackle the job market after graduation through resources like:

• Career Fairs
• Resume and cover letter review
• LinkedIn profile account creation and tips
• Professional headshot events
• Interviewing and networking workshops
• Internship guidance
• Graduate school application tips and recommendations

When it comes to seeking graduate-level education, Cornerstone students are ready. A few of the institutions our graduates have attended for further education include:

• Boston University
• Central Michigan College of Medicine
• Dallas Theological Seminary
• Georgia State University
• Indiana University Law School
• Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis
• Lincoln Memorial University, Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Northern Arizona University
• The University of Michigan
• University of Detroit Mercy
• Wayne State University
• Western Michigan University

Events & Programs

• On-campus job fairs
• On-campus seminary fair
• Missions Organizations Fair
• Summer Leadership Trip
• Pancakes with Academic Advising
• Sweet Insights with the Profs
• Alumni panels and networking events

For Employers

Is your organization hiring? Cornerstone graduates skilled, conscientious, and exceptional professionals of uncommon character. The Career and Life Calling team looks forward to partnering with you to acquire the talent you seek for your organization.

Contact Us

Kathy Natelborg
Assistant Vice President for People, Culture and Careers

Helene Hale
Director of Career and Life Calling

career@cornerstone.edu