They Don’t Know What They Don’t Know: Using the Conscious Competence Ladder Model to Assist Students

Goals of Presentation In this presentation I will: Introduce the Conscious Competence Ladder Model (CCLM) Show How the Conscious Competence Ladder Model is used to design engaging student programming Highlight Indiana Tech's Career Leadership Institute and how it relates to CCLM Benefits of CLI and how to translate to your campus “Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.” ~Confucius

“On every journey you take, you are met with options. At every fork in the road, you make a choice. These are the decisions that shape your life.” ~Mike DeWine

The mission of the Career Planning and Development Center at Indiana Tech is to prepare students and alumni for professional and personal success by providing advising, programs and activities related to self-assessment, career exploration and job search preparation. Mission Statement: “It is the service we are not obliged to give that people value most.” ~James C. Penney

We focus on 3 main areas: Career Advising & Exploration Gaining Experience in your chosen field Job Search Preparation “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” ~Peter Drucker

"The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what interests you and that you can do well, and put your whole soul into it -- every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have." ~John D. Rockefeller, III

What to focus on in each level: Level 4: Praise them and reinforce excellence Level 3: Provide lots of tips, reflection on how to do better Level 2: Help them “learn” by practicing Level 1: The “Ah ha” Moments – see the benefits of learning “Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.” ~Confucius

All the activities are focused on hosting opportunities for the students to interact and learn from area business and community leaders. Students interacting directly with employers We make the arrangements and then “get out of the way” Students quickly learn they “think” they know what they’re doing, but … maybe not so much!

Workshops and Events Geared to: Raise the students consciousness of the need for these skills Information and practice to learn the skills To see examples of the perfected skills in action Raise the students consciousness of the need for these skills Information and practice to learn the skills To see examples of the perfected skills in action

"If we did all the things that we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves." ~Thomas Edison

Mini-Etiquette and Lunch & Learn’s! Interviewing is an important process when looking for a job and many interviews, as well as much of business, is conducted over the dinner table. This event creates an opportunity for our students to learn the importance of etiquette and how to handle these situations in the most elegant way possible.

Professional Dress Days/Fashion Show! Every third Thursday of the month students have the opportunity to come to campus professionally dressed and enter to win a gift card! Professional Dress Reviews there to give tips! Once a year a fashion show takes place where students can learn tips on how to dress professionally! Other fun activities that include prizes are ‘‘dress the mannequin’’, tie tying contest, and taking a professional photo for your LinkedIn page.

Geared to have students practicing the skills after gaining minimal knowledge – putting knowledge to work Prep Sessions Utilized for many events Reflection aspect to many events – How’d you do? What will you do different next time? What did you learn? Value added programming – food, prizes, t-shirts

Mock Interview Days! Prepare for the interview process by having a mock interview with a local employer and learn from their feedback. Test out your interviewing skills and techniques in a comfortable, yet formal environment.

This event is an opportunity for our Indiana Tech students to practice and utilize their networking skills with employers in our community.

American Business Women's Day! Every year in September, we recognize the national holiday: American Business Women’s Day. A group of nominated female students are cordially invited to this luncheon where they have a chance to meet and discuss personal and professional topics with other top female leaders in the community and on campus AND practice their etiquette skills! “We need not just a new generation of leadership, but a new gender of leadership”. ~Bill Clinton

Internship Recognition Breakfast! This is our opportunity to recognize our students participating in internships and to thank employers for hosting Indiana Tech interns. We also give out the Intern of the Year Award and Internship Employer of the Year Award.

The Campus Employment program at Indiana Tech was created to assist current students to seek part-time employment opportunities in either on- or off-campus, including work-study positions. Indiana Tech provides employment opportunities where students learn to identify transferable skills, develop and achieve goals while learning their values in a work setting.

Benefits of this model: Students are engaged Employers love the unconventional aspect Reach students who you might never reach otherwise Gets students talking about the experiences with other students who were not involved Involves faculty and staff in events and serves as a “friend-raiser” Great anecdotal stories to tell!

Keys to success with this model! Great employers who understand your philosophy Perks to engage the reluctant student Be where they are and when they’re in that “mindset” i.e. not during lunch! Engage faculty and invite them to participate Ask faculty and staff to participate Create a climate of learning, not perfection “The greatest legacy is that which benefits the widest number of people for the longest period without limit to value.” ~Cat Stevens

Check out our website at: You will find our virtual career center that includes a helpful resource page, podcasts and videos, and much more!

Want more information? Cindy Price Verduce, M.Ed. Director of Learning Support Services & Career Planning and Development, – , ext Be the change that you want to see in the world. ~Mohandas Gandhi