Career Services and Retention Strategies for Success

Presentation Focus The role of Career Services in the overall retention strategy for a community college Ways in which Career Services contributes to student engagement, retention and success Examples of initiatives including internships and mentoring How Career Services will evaluate the success of Career Services in its contribution to retention

What We Know About Retention Students are more successful when they… Connect early to services Determine career goals and educational pathways Engage and connect with the community Connect academics to the world of work Understand the educational ROI Know their education will lead to career or transfer Receive assistance to overcome barriers

Early Intervention SOAR Orientation Participation new student transfer student Family Career advising sessions and assessments Extended career counseling availability Hosting a table during orientation Introduction and presentation Social media sign ups Website registration

Identifying & Pursuing Goals Working with students individually Providing assessments and interpretation Cross-training with Academic Advisors Providing training for Faculty and Staff Advisors Collaborating with Advisors Integrating career development into the curriculum Providing online resources

Student Engagement Events including Career Fair Workshops Club and classroom presentations Employer visits Alumni panels Mentoring program Social Media Website and App

Connecting Academics & Careers Curriculum integration Classroom presentations Alumni connections and presentations Employer presentations Internships Online resources

Return on Investment Job and salary statistics Employers who have hired students in the past Companies looking to hire Alumni connections & statistics Mentoring program Internships LinkedIn Snapchat

Gainful Employment and/or Transfer Resume and cover letter writing Mock interviews Job search assistance Professionalism Internships On campus recruiting Job postings College recruiter visits Personal essay assistance Mentoring program

Help with Immediate Employment & Financial Needs Job postings on and off campus Summer, temp, part-time, full-time Paid internships Links to scholarships Professional clothing closet Resume writing Job applications Interviewing

At Risk Students Intrusive career advising Presentations during remedial classes Mentoring program Specific initiatives, presentations, resources for various groups First generation Military Low income Minorities Disabilities Academic difficulties International Older students

Mass Bay Leadership Ambassadors Program Mentoring Programs Mass Bay Leadership Ambassadors Program Multicultural Mentoring Program STEM Mentor Program Boston Scientific Mentoring Program (business) Success Boston Mentoring Program Young Men of Color Mentor Program Events include Information Sessions & Reception

Internship Program Students completed 12 units or more Searching and securing internships Career services, academic department, independent Resumes, Cover Letters, Interviewing Internship Success and Etiquette workshops Business clothing Goal development Class credit and faculty advisor Career Services support employers and students International students CPT / OPT

Measuring Outcomes Benchmarking Goal development Tracking Evaluations Surveys Focus Groups

Benchmarking & Goal Development Percentage of students utilizing programs Percentage of students not using services Any details about how services have helped in persistence, retention, engagement, completion Developing clear goals and measurable outcomes to align with the retention goals of Mass Bay

Tracking Students Website & App Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat Individual appointments Participation in events Workshop/presentation attendance Internship Program Mentoring Program

Surveys, Evaluations, Focus Groups Current Students Non Returning students Alumni (Transfer, AA, Certificate) Employers Staff Faculty

Measuring Student Engagement, Persistence & Retention Percentage of students using our services Which services are being used the most Which services were helpful and which were not What services would be more helpful Did services help students persist in their academic program Did services help students finish their program or transfer

Connecting Academics to Work Can students connect their program to jobs Can students connect their program to companies hiring Do students feel prepared for the world of work How can Career Services better prepare for work and transfer

Evaluating Internship Program Percentage of students participating in the program Percentage of students completing their program Percentage of students securing a position in their field after completion Percentage of students transferring to a 4 year university Percentage of companies hiring interns Did the internship help with employment, program completion, and transferring

Alumni Survey & Focus Group Where are former students working What schools did students transfer to Was Career Services helpful in getting a job or in transferring How can Career Services improve in meeting students needs How can Career Services better advertise to students What services would you like to see more of

Future Initiatives & Collaboration Committees / Summits Form committee with students, faculty, staff to improve career services Employer summit group to discuss how to get students better prepared and how to engage employers

Questions and Discussion Christine Shine, M.A. christineshine@gmail.com www.careerfoundations.org