Begin with the End in Mind Professional and Career Development for the Underprepared Student

Stephen F. Austin State University Nelson Rusche College of Business Chelsea Heidbrink Coordinator of Student Success formerly Director of Career Success and Corporate Engagement, Academic Advisor Megan Sellers Coordinator of Career Success and Corporate Engagement, Academic Advisor, Nelson Rusche College of Business Nacogdoches, TX

Let’s play a game

Phoebe is a junior and is majoring in music with a 3. 0 GPA Phoebe is a junior and is majoring in music with a 3.0 GPA. Her only true work experience is a music video called “smelly cat,” but she is a free spirit who is willing to work several types of jobs. She doesn’t have a resume yet but she participates in extensive community service activities. Chandler has a degree in business management and has interned at several places as a data analyst (not a transpondster). He has visited Career Services every year since he was a freshmen and has asked several professors, advisors, and professionals to review his resume. Rachel is currently waitressing at a coffee house and is majoring in fashion. She just started her sophomore year and has joined several student organizations related to marketing and fashion and is active in her sorority. She has not yet started her resume, but has made an appointment with you to discuss internships Joey is in his victory lap year but graduates in one month. His resume only includes his high school activities because he didn’t join anything in college. He hasn’t heard of a cover letter but is only applying for jobs that have a minimum salary of $50k because he doesn’t want to make less than that.

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Stephen F. Austin State University Nelson Rusche College of Business About Us… Stephen F. Austin State University Approximately 40% students of color Approximately 50% first-generation students Approximately 25% low SES student *Institutional Research Nelson Rusche College of Business Almost 60% had no employment plans 2 months before graduation *Graduation survey Spring 2016 Average salary post graduation: $33,000 *According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board*

In our experience… Students today… Have higher salary expectation and demands Are underprepared with resumes and professional documents May not know what professional dress is (or own it) Are unaware (or don’t care) about consequences of actions i.e. social media Don’t have a plan B Have a hard time understanding how classroom and student organization skills transfer to work Don’t realize what it takes to actually get hired

So Now What?

“Begin with the end in mind.” -Stephen Covey

Nelson Rusche College of Business Student Success Passport

Four Modules

Personal and Professional Branding Social media Resumes, cover letters, professional documents Personal mission statements Elevator pitches Professional attire Interview skills

Experiential Learning Study abroad Volunteer and/or service-learning Internships Job shadowing Work experience

Leadership Development Certified Student Leadership Endorsements Student organization involvement and leadership Student organization competitions Participation/Presentation in conferences

Rusche College Activities and Events Passport workshops Internships, resumes, social media C2C (College to Career Conference) Mock Career Fair Rusche Distinguished Speaker Series

How it works Built utilizing existing technology (D2L) Set up similar to an online class Instructions FAQ’s Participation Agreement Self-paced over the full year (fall semester for seniors) Attendance tracked at events Utilize dropboxes for “assignment” submission Graded like an online class

Scholarship Incentives $50,000 Class Competitions $80,000 Passport Activities Fr, So, Jr, Sr $12,500/class Top Earner: $2500 10 Runners Up: $1000 Awarded at end of year for following semester Seniors awarded end of fall semester for spring Study abroad scholarships Student organization travel Student competitions Conference fees Must be an active passport participant to receive scholarship money Active: At least one activity complete in each module

Let’s Take a Look

Strategies for Success Utilize existing opportunities/departments on campus Become friends with somebody in instructional design Create marketing and branding for the program Get input from faculty, business professionals Host trainings/kickoff events Communicate the “why” to your students Host workshops at different times/days throughout the week Have follow up activities for each workshop Set expectations for attendance

Lessons Learned Cohort separation Think through options for most efficient separation Need LOTS of activities for students who may participate Fr-Sr year Activities should have recommended years for completion Higher standards for upperclassmen Grading should be “out of x points” Create rubrics for objective grading Grading takes the most time Can easily be integrated into classrooms Check with financial aid offices about scholarship distribution Cross campus communication

Questions? Chelsea Heidbrink: heidbrinc@sfasu.edu Megan Sellers: sellersml@sfasu.edu