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This fall, the First-Year Seminar (FYS) has taken on an even greater role in student life by incorporating new programming to align with (M)POWER, Mount Saint Mary’s University’s signature four-year student success initiative. Designed to help students identify their passions and career aspirations and develop hands-on professional skills, (M)POWER begins on the very first day of class, and FYS is its foundation.

For biochemistry major student Valerie Alvarado ’29, FYS has already been a turning point.

“When I first walked onto campus, I wasn’t sure if I belonged,” said Valerie. “But by the second day, when I started meeting people and learning about clubs and campus resources, it began to feel more like home. FYS has been a big part of that.”

Launching Careers from Day One

At the core of the redesigned FYS is Career Launch, a structured program that places career readiness and professional development at the forefront of the first-year experience. Led by Elizabeth Sturgeon, PhD, title, professor and director of the FYS leadership team, the new curriculum introduces a “Launch Your Career Workbook” for every first-year student. Using this workbook as a guide, FYS instructors guide students step by step through identifying their strengths, exploring career options, researching potential employers, building a LinkedIn profile, and preparing for upcoming networking opportunities with alumnae and industry leaders.

“Weaving (M)POWER into the well-established FYS experience reflects the Mount’s deep commitment to ensuring our students graduate with the skills and tools they need to thrive in their future careers – and their lives,” said Elizabeth. “From day one, students are encouraged to think about how their education connects to their future, and how they can start building that future now.”

This hands-on approach is designed to address one of the biggest challenges for today’s students: navigating a competitive job market where most opportunities are never even posted online. Career Launch equips students with the skills and confidence to build professional relationships and enter the job market with purpose and agency.

According to Sean O’Keefe, founder and a partner of Career Launch, Mount Saint Mary’s is the first university in the nation to embed this type of program into the first-year curriculum.

“Eighty percent of all jobs and internships are never posted online; they are in the hidden job market,” explained Sean. “By designing a curriculum that intentionally teaches students how to build professional skills and meaningful networks, the Mount is  not just preparing students for their first job — it is empowering them with the confidence and tools to shape a fulfilling lifelong career.”

For Valerie, that support has been invaluable. “I didn’t expect to be thinking about my career so early,” she admitted. “But now I see how important it is. Career Launch is helping me get out of my comfort zone, and it feels good to be envisioning a future I want and preparing for it now.”

FYS instructors, many of whom also serve as (M)POWER Career Specialists, provide personalized coaching and mentoring to help students translate these lessons into action.

“I have never had a job before, and I didn’t know how to create a resume or a LinkedIn profile,” said Valerie. “Having an instructor walk me through those steps makes me feel supported and more confident.”

A Common Read, a Shared Experience

Another highlight of FYS is the Common Campus Read, which unites the entire first-year class around a shared book and campus-wide dialogue. This year, students are reading “Getting from College to Career” by New York Times bestselling author Lindsey Pollak, who will visit campus on October 21 to deliver a keynote and meet with students. Her book reinforces the comprehensive (M)POWER program by having students research and engage in career readiness programs, while hearing directly from industry experts.

Empowered and Supported for the Journey Ahead

Beyond academics and career preparation, FYS connects students to the Mount’s values, mission and community. Through “Empowered and Unstoppable” training modules, workshops, and campus activities, students learn how to access wellness and safety resources while discovering opportunities to get involved in clubs, service projects, and leadership programs.

For Valerie, those lessons are already making a difference. “FYS has made me think deeply about my purpose and what I want to contribute to the world,” she said.

As part of (M)POWER, the First Year Seminar is more than an introduction to college. It is the first step in a four-year pathway that blends the strengths of a Mount Saint Mary’s liberal arts education with career readiness and personal growth. It ensures that from the start, students are not only prepared for a career, but also empowered to live lives of meaning, purpose, and service.