Sharpen your skills and prepare to excel in the workplace.

The Program

Sure, you have a great resume. But how exactly do you score that initial interview? And what tools do you need to work your network?

Now in its eighth year, First Impressions helps you hone the talents you need to land your dream job.

Over the course of four on-campus workshops and learning opportunities, you will develop the life skills necessary to succeed beyond the borders of campus. The entirety of this year's program will be held on Thursday evenings, March 26 - April 23, 2020. 

Through the 2020 program, and under the theme of “Frequently Asked Questions and Questions You Didn't Know You Had!”, participants will learn elevator pitches, networking and interview skills, financial literacy, and more!

At the conclusion of the program, students who have attended and participated in all four workshops will benefit from an opportunity for one-on-one assistance from a personal shopper and the purchase of interview attire!

first impressions, a series of like skills workshops
Spring 2020 Tentative Workshop Schedule
Date Time Workshop Questions Answered Location
TBD TBD Been There, Done That: Valuable Tools from Alums
  • Do first impressions still matter?
  • Do soft skills matter?
  • How do I define my skills in today's market?
 On Campus, Exact Location TBD
TBD TBD Know Your Audience: Social Media and Fashion
  • What is dining etiquette and why do I need it?
  • What do my social media posts say about me?
  • How much does what I wear matter?
 On Campus, Exact Location TBD
TBD TBD Talking the Talk: Financial Literacy and Transferrable Skills
  • What do I need to know to get by?
  • How do I identify my transferrable skills?
 On Campus, Exact Location TBD
TBD TBD Putting it Together: Mock Interviews and Networking Reception
  • How do I prepare for an interview?
  • How do I prepare to network?
 On Campus, Exact Location TBD

Supported and Produced by

Alumnae and Alumni

A dedicated volunteer group supports the work of the program by planning, attending and engaging in workshops, conducting mock interviews, and providing 1:1 and on-the-spot mentorship for students in the program.

Faculty and Staff Collaborators

Contact any of the campus leaders with questions:

Deborah Calhoun, business and economics department
Anne Henderson, history and political science department
Alan Jones, career center
Jocelyn McKeon, chemistry department
Aliza Ross, alumnae and alumni relations

Marion Smedberg
Marion Smedberg '19

I applied to the First Impressions program because I wanted to make the most of my college experience, which for me meant taking advantage of every opportunity. While the knowledge I gained as part of the program will certainly serve me in the future (as will the snazzy pantsuit I got during shopping night), I most appreciate the connections I made with the staff, faculty, and alums. They were all part of a support network that wanted to see me succeed. First Impressions is yet another example of how the Notre Dame community goes above and beyond to support every student's success.