Career Everywhere

uConnect
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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. 2 СЕНТ.

    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 мин.

  2. 19 АВГ.

    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 мин.

  3. 5 АВГ.

    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 мин.

  4. 22 ИЮЛ.

    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 ч. 5 мин.

  5. 8 ИЮЛ.

    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 мин.

  6. 24 ИЮН.

    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 мин.

  7. 10 ИЮН.

    From Silos to Synergy: How Career Services and Enrollment Management Can Partner (feat. Rebekah Paré and Michael Griffin)

    As prospective students and their families become increasingly focused on ROI, post-grad outcomes, and career readiness, collaboration between career services and enrollment management has never been more important. When these two functions work in tandem, institutions are better positioned to not only recruit and retain students, but to tell a more compelling and authentic story about the value of the college experience. In this episode, uConnect Founder and CEO David Kozhuk talks with Rebekah Paré and Michael Griffin about how career services and enrollment leaders can collaborate more intentionally—and what happens when they do.  Rebekah is the Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Paré Consulting and a former career services executive. And Michael is a former VP for Enrollment Management and a seasoned higher ed executive. They cover: Why a cross-functional partnership is essential in today’s higher ed landscapeWhat tangible outcomes are possible when enrollment and career teams alignHow to get started–and what practical tactics drive collaboration that lastsAnd more Whether you’re leading a career office or steering enrollment strategy, this episode offers the insights and inspiration you need to build stronger, more student-centered partnerships on campus. Resources from the episode: David’s LinkedIn profileRebekah’s LinkedIn profileMichael’s LinkedIn profileuConnect 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

    52 мин.

  8. 28 МАЯ

    How Career Services and Admissions Collaborate at Binghamton University (feat. Lexie Avery and Melissa Lawson)

    Lexie Avery and Melissa Lawson of Binghamton University share how career services and admissions collaborate to recruit, retain, and support students with career development—before they even step foot on campus.  Lexie, the Senior Associate Director of Student Engagement and Career Readiness, and Melissa, the Director of Admissions Communications, have worked closely together for years and built a strong partnership between the career center and admissions. Here are a few key ways the two offices collaborate: The career center participates in admitted student events, exposing students to career services before they even begin classes.Career services provides messaging to campus tour guides to equip them to effectively discuss career services offerings—plus the career center is always a stop on tours.Speaking of tour guides, the career center also provides professional development to campus tour guides, particularly around interviewing, hiring, and training their peers. When admissions brings high school guidance counselors to campus, career services participates to share information on career outcomes, experiential learning, and what makes Binghamton different.Similarly, a career services staff member also occasionally travels with admissions counselors to out-of-state recruitment events to speak on career resources, outcomes, and what Binghamton can provide that other schools can’t.Admissions and career services coordinate marketing messaging and programming for incoming students, including a two-credit online summer career exploration course.The two offices also regularly share data and insights. For example, career services shares First Destination Survey data and other outcomes and engagement data to help admissions tell a stronger story to prospective students and their families. And admissions shares survey data from incoming students to help the career center understand incoming student interests and expectations around career preparation.The partnership has contributed to strong enrollment and retention and early career engagement from Binghamton students. Win-win! Resources from the episode: Lexie’s LinkedIn profileMelissa’s LinkedIn profileBinghamton’s virtual career center Continue the conversation in the Career Everywhere Community! Join 2,000 other higher ed career services leaders today: careereverywhere.com/community

    53 мин.
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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.

Информация

  • Автор
    uConnect
  • Годы выхода
    2022 - 2025
  • Выпуски
    74
  • Ограничения
    Без ненормативной лексики
  • Авторские права
    © 2025 uConnect

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