The College’s Spouse/Partner Employment Counselor provides career counseling and job search support to spouses and partners of current and prospective faculty and administrative staff.

The Office of Spouse/Partner Employment Counseling (SPEC) was established in the Fall of 2002 to address the career and relocation needs of College spouses and partners. The College recognizes that for many prospective and current faculty and staff, issues relating to the professional integration of their spouses or partners is essential to their acceptance of employment and their continued investment in the College community.

To ensure an integrated approach to the needs of spouses and partners, the Office of Spouse/Partner Employment Counseling works in conjunction with the Office of the VP for Strategic Planning & Institutional Diversity, the Office of the Dean of Faculty, and the Office of Human Resources. The Office is also supported by the Office of Career Counseling and the Office of Alumni Affairs.

The College is committed to supporting spouses and partners through the following resources and services offered through the Office of Spouse/Partner Employment Counseling:

• Confidential individual counseling
• Practical assistance with all areas of the job-search process including resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and employer research
• Up-to-date information on local and regional job opportunities including links to online resources and databases
• Access to network of contacts that includes College constituents and local and regional employers
• The Academic Career Network: a College-supported program that links job candidates to openings at a consortium of institutions including the Five Colleges and other local and regional institutions
• Financial support for individuals through the Professional Development Fund: a college-funded program providing financial support for qualified individuals pursuing job-related training, education, or professional development
• Workshops and seminars in a variety of areas
• Attention to relevant issues including career transition and re-entry into the workforce
• Relocation assistance that includes information on educational, recreational, and community service opportunities in addition to information on employment
• Access to workspace in Mather House that includes a networked computer, telephone, copier, and fax machine