Career Everywhere

uConnect

For too long, career services has been an afterthought. Now it's time for career services to be in the driver's seat, leading institutional strategy around career readiness. Join us every other Tuesday for in-depth interviews with today’s most innovative career leaders about how they’re building a campus culture of career readiness… or what we call Career Everywhere.

  1. -4 J

    How Career Services Can Align to Institutional Priorities (feat. Joretta Nelson)

    In this episode, host Meredith Metsker talks with Joretta Nelson, Vice Chairman of Credo (now part of the Carnegie family). With 25 years of experience in higher education—including time as a music faculty member, vice president for enrollment management, and now a national consultant to presidents and cabinets—Joretta brings a unique vantage point on how career services leaders can position themselves as strategic, institutional partners. Drawing on her extensive work with presidents, provosts, enrollment leaders, student affairs leaders, advancement officers, and more, Joretta offers a behind-the-scenes look at what life is like for these senior executives. What keeps them up at night, who they’re accountable to, and what their day-to-day actually looks like. Most importantly, she shares how career leaders can build relationships, align with institutional priorities, and provide the data and stories cabinet members need to be successful. This episode is a practical roadmap for anyone looking to move beyond unit-level advocacy and become a trusted voice at the institutional strategy table. Key takeaways (by cabinet leader): The President: Manages nonstop demands: board relations, fundraising, community representation, finance/budget, parent concerns, etc.Works on a cyclical calendar tied to board meetings, fundraising campaigns, and more.Career services can help by supplying three key data points and ready-to-use student stories each month.The Provost/Chief Academic Officer: Balances faculty governance pressures, budget realities, and program innovation.Faces heavy strain post-COVID, often balancing faculty's “grief” about higher ed’s transformation.Career services can partner by proactively working to integrate career into curriculum design, especially in arts and humanities programs where pathways are less clear.The Chief Enrollment Officer: Lives in a world of numbers: yield, conversion, and net tuition revenue.Works under immense pressure to prove the institution’s value proposition to prospective students and families.Career services can strengthen recruitment efforts by embedding career outcomes and employer partnerships into admissions events, campus visits, marketing materials, and more. Learn more in our previous episode: How Career Services Can Partner with Enrollment to Drive Student SuccessThe Head of Student Affairs: Oversees student life, mental health, onboarding, retention, residence life, and sometimes athletics.Post-COVID, this group experienced the highest leadership turnover in higher ed.Career services can help by embedding career readiness into student affairs learning outcomes, first-year and second-year experiences, and high-impact practices.The Chief Advancement Officer: Focuses on fundraising, donor relations, and institutional reputation.Has a direct line to the president and board.Career services can add value by sharing employer partnership data and student success stories that appeal to donors. Leading with transparency builds trust.Joretta’s advice for career leaders: Lead with empathy, transparency, and how you can help cabinet members succeed in their roles.Always tie career services work back to the overall student success strategy.Provide a steady stream of data and student stories.Don’t be afraid to start small. Sometimes it all starts with a coffee meeting!Resources from the episode: Joretta’s LinkedIn profileCredoCarnegieuConnectPrevious episode: Jonathan Wehner (Carnegie) on the Chief Enrollment Officer perspectiveBrené Brown’s leadership book: Dare to LeadSurviving to Thriving (a book by Credo) Continue the conversation in the Career Everywhere Community! Join 2,000 other higher ed career services leaders today: careereverywhere.com/community

    56 min

  2. 16 SEPT.

    How Career Services Can Partner with Enrollment to Drive Student Success (feat. Jonathan Wehner)

    In this episode, host Meredith Metsker is joined by Jonathan Wehner, AVP of Enrollment Strategy at Carnegie and a seasoned higher ed leader with more than 20 years of experience leading enrollment at institutions like Cleveland State University, the Cleveland Institute of Art, and Case Western Reserve University. Jonathan brings a rare insider’s perspective on what enrollment leaders are juggling today, from declining demographics and shrinking budgets to waning public trust in higher education. He explains what keeps chief enrollment officers up at night (like meeting headcount goals with fewer students, balancing institutional finances with student success, and protecting staff under immense pressure) and why career outcomes are increasingly the core value proposition of higher ed. Together, Jonathan and Meredith dig into how career services leaders can seize this moment to become mission-critical partners in enrollment and student success.  Key takeaways: Career services must reframe their role. Jonathan emphasizes the need for career leaders to pivot from thinking of themselves as a “student services function” to becoming an institutional mission function that drives enrollment, retention, and institutional reputation. Career is higher ed’s core value proposition. With skepticism about the ROI of a degree at an all-time high, prospective students and families want to see clear, specific outcomes—especially program-level data on internships, employment, and salaries. Institutions that don’t differentiate on outcomes are “missing the boat.” Enrollment leaders face immense pressure. Chief enrollment officers are responsible for both revenue (tuition dollars) and large expenditures (financial aid), often with sprawling portfolios that include admissions, financial aid, advising, research, and sometimes even career services. Their daily decisions affect institutional finances and the livelihoods of staff and faculty, creating enormous stress and sleepless nights. Partnership requires proactive outreach. Career leaders should initiate regular meetings with their chief enrollment officer and come prepared with something of value—such as early access to outcomes data, stories from students, or trends from employer engagement—to earn trust and build collaboration. Joint metrics strengthen collaboration. Beyond the First Destination Survey, Jonathan recommends tracking metrics like internship participation, employment outcomes tied to academic programs, and the impact of experiential learning. These insights can power admissions conversations and marketing. Visibility in recruitment is key. Career services should be highlighted on campus tours, open houses, and admissions events—not tucked away. Families and students want to know about outcomes upfront, making career offices central to recruitment. Pair data with stories. Numbers alone aren’t enough. Admissions teams need both hard evidence (employment rates, salary ranges, top employers) and human stories (how an internship shaped a student’s path) to persuade both data-driven and emotion-driven decision makers.Resources from the episode: Jonathan’s LinkedIn profileCarnegieuConnectOutcomes Data Visualization module (by uConnect)Illinois Institute of Technology example of filtering outcomes by internship vs. no internship Continue the conversation in the Career Everywhere Community! Join 2,000 other higher ed career services leaders today: careereverywhere.com/community

    49 min

  3. 2 SEPT.

    How to Build a Data Culture in Your Career Center (feat. Julia Vollrath and Marissa Altenburg)

    In this episode, host Meredith Metsker sits down with Julia Vollrath (Director of Career Data, Technologies, and Engagement) and Marissa Altenburg (Integrative Career Solutions Manager) from the University of Florida. Julia and Marissa share how UF’s career center has woven data into the fabric of its operations—transforming data from a scary, four-letter word into a common language that empowers staff, drives decisions, and builds credibility across campus. They discuss how to create a true data culture within career services teams, where every staff member feels confident using data for storytelling, decision-making, and cross-campus collaboration. You’ll hear practical strategies for making data accessible, consistent, and action-oriented—plus some fun commentary about why Professor McGonagall would make an excellent university president. Key takeaways Data is a common language: It builds credibility with provosts, presidents, and external partners, showing career services’ direct connection to student success and institutional goals.A true data culture is shared: Data shouldn’t sit with just one assessment lead. Every staff member should be confident using it in their daily work.Accessibility matters: Tools like Excel dashboards, user-friendly reporting, and regular training make data feel approachable and useful.Consistency builds trust: Quarterly trainings, monthly reporting, and standardized definitions ensure data becomes part of the culture rather than an occasional add-on.Context is key: Data without explanation is dangerous. Pairing numbers with stories makes the information actionable and compelling.Resources from the episode: Julia’s LinkedIn profileMarissa’s LinkedIn profileCareer Everywhere Community (free digital community for all higher ed career services leaders)University of Florida’s Career Hub (powered by uConnect) Continue the conversation in the Career Everywhere Community! Join 2,000 other higher ed career services leaders today: careereverywhere.com/community

    55 min

  4. 19 AOÛT

    Integrating Career Exploration and Skill Development into Curriculum (feat. Krysta Foster and Shahnaz Masani)

    How can career services and faculty partner to embed career exploration directly into the classroom—so every student has access, no matter their background or schedule? In this episode, host Meredith Metsker chats with Krysta Foster, Associate Director of Career Services at Michigan State University’s Lyman Briggs College, and Dr. Shahnaz Masani, Assistant Professor in Lyman Briggs College and MSU’s Physiology Department. Together, they’ve built a unique, fully integrated career curriculum called the In Real Life Lab (IRL) that weaves career exploration and skill development into the core science curriculum. Krysta and Shahnaz share how their partnership began, why they see career work as equity work, and how they’ve designed IRL to help students articulate their purpose, plan parallel career paths, build self-efficacy, and connect their academic work to real-world impact. They also discuss what it takes to create strong, collaborative relationships between faculty and career staff, the powerful outcomes they’ve seen so far, and their vision for scaling the program both at Michigan State and beyond. If you’ve ever wondered how to break down silos between faculty and career services—or how to make career education more equitable, accessible, and purpose-driven—this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Key takeaways: Why embedding career into curriculum makes career exploration more equitable and accessible for all students.How Michigan State’s In Real Life Lab helps students connect classroom learning with purpose-driven career planning.What makes faculty/career services partnerships work—and how to start building them on your campus.The powerful outcomes students experience when they reflect on their skills, practice career readiness in class, and build confidence through low-stakes experiences.Resources from the episode: Krysta’s LinkedIn profileKrysta’s email: krysta@msu.edu Shahnaz’s LinkedIn profileShahnaz’s email: masanish@msu.edu Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education article about the IRL curriculum Continue the conversation in the Career Everywhere Community! Join 2,000 other higher ed career services leaders today: careereverywhere.com/community

    59 min

  5. 5 AOÛT

    The New Career Services Value Proposition: Balancing Human Connection and Scale in the ROI Era (feat. Christine Cruzvergara)

    With public trust in higher ed at an all-time low, and ROI under the microscope, career services is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s central to proving the value of a college degree. In this episode, Christine Cruzvergara of Handshake joins host Meredith Metsker to discuss how career services leaders can meet this moment with clarity, courage, and strategy. Christine shares how leaders can redefine their value proposition, position their teams as essential partners on campus, and scale their work through tech and human connection—even as a one-person office. You'll learn: Why getting students hired should be your North Star (not just “being innovative”)How to reframe your value for senior leaders, admissions, and prospective familiesWays to scale warm introductions and build a high-impact alumni networkWhat advocacy really looks like: Multi-threaded, persistent, and politically savvyHow to rethink your staffing, services, and story to stay relevant in the future of career servicesIf you're a career services leader ready to step into the spotlight and lead in this ROI era, this episode is your playbook. Resources from the episode: Christine’s LinkedIn profileuConnectHandshakeLeland Continue the conversation in the Career Everywhere Community! Join 2,000 other higher ed career services leaders today: careereverywhere.com/community

    48 min

  6. 22 JUIL.

    5 Ways to Measure Career Center Effectiveness (feat. Rebekah Paré)

    Rebekah Paré shares five ways career services leaders can measure career center effectiveness—beyond the standard metrics.--In this episode of the Career Everywhere Podcast, host Meredith Metsker is joined by higher ed career services veteran and Paré Consulting founder, Rebekah Paré, to explore how career centers can measure (and improve) their effectiveness. With a wealth of experience in both academic affairs and career services, Rebekah shares five core strategies that career leaders can use to optimize their centers and clearly demonstrate value to institutional stakeholders. Rebekah’s five-part framework includes: Strategic orientation: Is your center leading or reacting? Do you have defined goals and KPIs? Rebekah outlines how clear goals and alignment with institutional initiatives can transform a career center from reactive to proactiveInstitutional alignment: Are you helping your institution meet its top priorities like enrollment, retention, and workforce readiness? Learn how to connect your work with the university’s strategic plan—even if you weren’t originally included in the process.Academic integration: Are you bridging academics and career? Rebekah highlights the importance of collaborating with faculty across all disciplines to embed career competencies and experiential learning directly into the curriculum. Plus, she shares a few strategies on how to do exactly that!Student reach and service design: Who are you serving, and how? Discover how to use disaggregated data, intentional design, and scalable service models to ensure equitable access and impact, especially for first-gen and non-traditional students.Communications and influence: Can others articulate your value? From one-pagers to speechwriter talking points, Rebekah shares tactical ideas for making career center impact visible and memorable to presidents, provosts, and beyond. Rebekah emphasizes that effectiveness goes beyond the standard metrics. It’s about driving transformation, building buy-in, and aligning your work with campus-wide goals. Whether you're trying to scale services, deepen partnerships with academic departments, or advocate for resources, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you lead more strategically. Bonus: Hear about Rebekah’s swing band side hustle, her unapologetic liberal arts roots, and her answer to the ultimate philosophical question: What kitchen spice are you? Resources from the episode: Rebekah’s LinkedIn profileRebekah’s websiteRebekah’s newsletterRebekah’s guest post: The New Rules of Career Services Advocacy in Higher EduConnect’s Virtual Career Center platform Continue the conversation in the Career Everywhere Community! Join 2,000 other higher ed career services leaders today: careereverywhere.com/community

    1 h 5 min

  7. 8 JUIL.

    How Stanford Supports Alumni Career Development with the PlusFive Program (feat. James Tarbox and Theanne Thomson)

    In this episode, James Tarbox and Theanne Thomson share how Stanford’s career education and alumni teams collaborate to support graduates for up to five years post-graduation through the innovative Stanford PlusFive program. From 1:1 career coaching to alumni-led networking groups, this program offers recent grads a meaningful bridge from college to career—and the data proves it’s working. Here are a few key themes from episode: What the Stanford PlusFive program is and how it worksThe importance of career coaching and alumni connections for recent gradsHow alumni volunteers help scale support through global industry and identity-based groupsStrategies for fostering a strong partnership between the career center and alumni associationHow the PlusFive program has evolved since launching in 2021Tangible outcomes, including a 57% increase in career coaching appointmentsVision for the future: Expanding support through a potential “Five Plus” model for alumni beyond the five-year markThe power of intentional collaboration and clear communication between campus partners “We need to show people as they graduate that we see them, that we understand their challenges, and that we're here to support them,” James said. Guest background: James Tarbox, the Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Stanford Career Education at Stanford University, has been a career services leader for over 25 years and is a champion of expanding alumni career support beyond the traditional one-year mark.Theanne Thomson, the Director of Alumni Career Connections and Interim Director of Student Programs at Stanford University (and a Stanford alum herself), focuses on building scalable alumni connection opportunities, from networking events to industry-specific communities. Resources from the episode: James’ LinkedIn profileJames’ email: jtarbox5@stanford.edu Theanne’s LinkedIn profileTheanne’s email: theanne@stanford.edu Stanford PlusFive webpageWhat Color is Your Parachute? book Continue the conversation in the Career Everywhere Community! Join 2,000 other higher ed career services leaders today: careereverywhere.com/community

    46 min

  8. 24 JUIN

    How WashU Centralized Career Services Without Losing a Single Position (feat. Danny Pape)

    Danny Pape, Executive Director of the Center for Career Engagement at Washington University in St. Louis, shares the story of how WashU shifted from a long-standing decentralized career services model to a unified, centralized structure—without losing a single position. With decades of experience across multiple institutions and roles—from career coach to administrator—Danny brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to leadership. He walks us through the why behind the unification, how his team used data and stakeholder input to guide the process, and how they've reimagined career services around student interests instead of majors. Here are a few key themes from the episode: Why unification was necessary: Confusion and inconsistencies across departments were creating barriers for students, employers, and faculty alike.Shifting from major-based to interest-based support: WashU created eight career communities aligned with students’ career goals and industry trends, not their majors.Scaling with technology: Tools like uConnect help eliminate access barriers, drive engagement, and provide critical data insights to inform decisions.Serving the whole career ecosystem: Dedicated teams for employer engagement and academic partnerships help ensure consistent support across campus.Leadership lessons: Transparency, stakeholder buy-in, and peer mentorship were essential to managing such a big change successfully.The future of career services: Danny emphasized the need to evolve constantly, tell the story of career services more effectively, and develop the next generation of leaders in the field.“We as career center leaders and employees need to get comfortable that our role is changing, from that of being a practitioner to being more of a facilitator or an influencer,” Danny said. Resources from the episode: Danny’s LinkedIn profileDanny’s email: pape@wustl.edu WashU’s virtual career center (powered by uConnect) Continue the conversation in the Career Everywhere Community! Join 2,000 other higher ed career services leaders today: careereverywhere.com/community

    51 min
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À propos

For too long, career services has been an afterthought. Now it's time for career services to be in the driver's seat, leading institutional strategy around career readiness. Join us every other Tuesday for in-depth interviews with today’s most innovative career leaders about how they’re building a campus culture of career readiness… or what we call Career Everywhere.

Informations

  • Création
    uConnect
  • Années d’activité
    2022 - 2025
  • Épisodes
    76
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © 2025 uConnect

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