Re-framing Career Development at Illinois State Pam Cooper Amelia Noël-Elkins Director Director Career Center University College

How do we assist students’ career and academic development from recruitment, through enrollment, to graduation, and to being successful (and connected) alumni?

Stage 1: Admitted Student may or may not have academic or career path identified Receives multiple and possibly inconsistent messages from academic or student services departments and other resources

Stage 2: Enrolled & engaged Student exploring interests, skills, values, and talent Gaining practical experiences; marrying academic and career exploration and development Receives inconsistent career messages from multiple sources

Stage 3: Successful & engaged alum Graduated and employed Able to give back time, talent and treasure Becomes a referral for and/or a recruiter of Redbirds

Career Task Force Provost and Vice President for Student Affairs appointed a task force in 2014 Reviewed current career development and career readiness practices at Illinois State, best practices nationally, and recommendations for future change and enhancements Recommended forming the University Academics and Careers Council to provide a structure for collaboration and professional development among key stakeholders on campus Council charged with reviewing and implementing task force recommendations

Recommendation 1: Industry-Career Cluster Shift Current college-based model does not always serve students well: Exploration of different options Changing majors Decisions about various and related career paths Allows for Career Center and other university staff to gain expertise in related careers

Academic and Career Areas of Interest ·        Science and Mathematics ·        Arts, Communication, and Media ·        Education ·        Business and Economics ·        Technology ·        Society and Culture ·        Nursing and Health ·        Humanities and Languages ·        Agriculture and Environment ·        Human Development and Services ·        Politics and Law

Recommendation 2: Standardized Four Year Developmental Plan Integrate the four-year advising curriculum with the four-year career planning guide for a more consistent set or resources and opportunities across time and development stages

Recommendation 3: Develop a comprehensive and integrated marketing and branding strategy.

Recommendation 4: The increasing role of well-chosen technology is critical to reaching all constituencies, particularly students and employers, in a time when on-demand services are expected 24/7.

Recommendation 5: Continue to emphasize tracking and assessment to ensure ongoing improvement of services.

Next Steps Need Your Help: Provide YOUR input on Career and Academic Areas of Interest Help communicate benefits of Areas of Interest and four year development plan to students, colleagues, and other constituencies Conversations with students Referral to Career Center or Academic Advisors Including in syllabi or other information distributed to students Regularly view Council website for updates and progress

Next Steps University Academics and Careers Council: Develop workgroups to address: Developing a comprehensive marketing and branding strategy to various constituencies (including communication plan on progress) Expanding use of technology to meet demand Focus on tracking and assessment to ensure ongoing improvements Continue to develop the implementation of and communication about the Areas of Interest and the Four Year Plans with the goals of: More effective career and academic development for ISU students. Improve the career readiness of ISU students Seamless integration between academic and student affairs on these topics

Questions? University Academics and Careers Council http://careercenter.illinoisstate.edu/about/taskforce/ Pam Cooper Amelia Noël-Elkins pjcoope@ilstu.edu anoelel@ilstu.edu