Year by Year Fundamentals
Simple points of integration that ask your students to engage in these steps are a surefire way to promote success!
As the Department Chair or Program Director, you know exactly the kinds of skills your students will graduate with. And, you know they arethe in-demand skills that will enable them to make a difference in the world while making a comfortable living. But do your students know?
- Do your students fully grasp the value they're getting out of your program?
- Can they articulate both the hard and "soft" skills (aka: power skills) they've developed and how those skills will serve them as future employees?
Planned Integration Articulates Your Value
As you tend to the curriculum of your academic program, don't forget to ask when/where/how your students are being prompted to reflect on what they're learning and how it will serve them beyond college. Intentionally integrating these fundamental elements of career preparation can be as simple as a few key touch points effectively ensuring that everyonestays on track to graduate "career-ready" (i.e., ready to put their knowledge, skills & competencies to use for a greater good).
Thoughtful planning = equity building
Prompting students to do this work is an impactful way to ensure ALL graduates feel confident, curious and courageous in their post-graduation pursuits. We will continue to serve the career needs of all ̽̽ students/alums, but without your help promting them to start, there will remain a whole host of students who never engage with us because they don't have to, and (all too often) they don't know they should.
Tips on Planning for Career Integration
Consider where you are already integrating career preparation and/or exploration in your program.
Identify the "low hanging fruit" - opportunities to do this more (or more explicitly / intentionally)
Consider how / when / where you want to collaborate with the Career Center - you don't have to go it alone! For example, if you identify an opportunity to do something in [x] class, we can build the “what” together (e.g., customized module, event, assignment, video, etc). The smiling faces on the right side of the screen are ready to have those conversations.
A plan for career integration should...
Ensure 1+ touchpoint per year for all students (ideally 1x/semester)
Year 1 – Getting Started… Helping students
- Get connected to resources (e.g., IG/̽̽ Connect, Handshake).
- Reflect on their values & interests.
Year 2 – Gaining Experience… Encouraging students to
- Build knowledge, skills, and competencies (in & out of class).
- Explore possible pathways & what it takes to get there.
Year 3 – Building a Network… Prompting students to
- Make and maintain connections with a broad array of people.
- Find and engage specific people relevant to their goals.
Year 4 – Preparing to Launch… Guiding students to
- Articulate their skills & experiences in effective application materials.
- Find and apply to relevant experiences (strategic searches).
Leverage Career Center resources
- Career Interest Groups: alum engagement + targeted promotion
- Cross promotion: IG newsletters, Inside ̽̽ Career Corner, parent emails, social, etc.
- Technology*: Handshake, ̽̽ Connect, Brightspace Badges, NACE memberships
- Collaboration: staff time, space, co-sponsorship
- Policies & Best Practice: recruiting & Employer Partner Program
*No system/platform is perfect, but the more consistently we use these systems the better they’ll serve us
Working together to connect students to the people, opportunities, & resources that advance career success.
Assistant Director for Integration
Adam Boothe(He / Him)
Curriculum & Assessment Specialist
