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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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.

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Questions? University Academics and Careers Council
Pam Cooper Amelia Noël-Elkins