College & Career: Pathways to Success

PARENT ACADEMY 2016

Christopher Lenz, Ed.D., NCCDirector

Career Development Center

April 16, 2016

Our purpose – Help students be successful

University journey

Career preparation

The essential tool – Knowledge

Challenges

Responses

Resources

Career Preparation Process

Welcome!

Career Development Centerwww.calstatela.edu/careercenter

Changes – New routines; expectations; relationships

Emotions – Depression; lack of self-esteem; aversion to risk

Commitment– Balancing freedom with responsibility; having clear priorities

Expectations – Some may be different

Knowledge – Awareness of what’s typical; resources; options

Challenges


Responses - Student

Changes

Be aware that change itself can be stressful

Learn about managing change

Seek support

Emotions

New experiences can raise strong emotions

Sometimes we lack good ways of managing

We may feel ashamed

This is all normal – and can be managed successfully


Commitment

• Set clear goals early on; prioritize; keep them in mind

• Dedication & perseverance – choose to finish

Expectations• What are yours (time to graduate; difficulty;

responding to setbacks; relationship with faculty)?

• Realize there are different approaches

Knowledge• Remember there are resources for most issues

• Be proactive to search out and use resources

Responses - Student


Understand university demands and expectations of students

• Realize they will not be as available as before

• Learning is not only in class (studying; group work; campus involvement; meetings; etc.)

Talk to them about progress, challenges, concerns and frustrations.

• Students are facing a lot, and your support can be crucial

• You will be able to better understand what is going on

Encourage and support

• Provide ample time for student to do homework and work on projects

• Be flexible in expectations, e.g. family events

Responses - Parents


The campus has many resources:

• People – Professors, advisors, staff

• Advising Center

• Career Development Center

• Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

• Writing Center

• Tutoring Center

• Library

• Public Safety

Resources


What concerns you about how college may affect your student?

How do you see your role in your student’s college attendance?

What do you want most for your student?


Reflection

Important features

• A process – multiple steps and takes time

• Better preparation gives better outcomes

• Not usually part of classwork

• A degree by itself does not guarantee a job

Which means • Better preparation means being aware of all the

elements for success, and using resources

• Responsibility for initiating and sustaining the process is with students

Career Preparation


Only one in four employers thinks that colleges are doing a good

job preparing students for the challenges of the global economy.

81% of employers think completing an internship or community-based project that connects classroom learning with real-world experiences better prepares students for success

Raising the Bar, Hart Research Associates, 2010

Academic Prep vs. Career Prep


93 % say “…capacity to think critically, communicate

clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than undergraduate major.”

Over 90% say it is important that those they hire demonstrate ethical judgment and integrity; intercultural skills; and the capacity for continued new learning.

More than 75% say they want more emphasis on 5 key areas including: critical thinking, complex problem-solving, written and oral communication, and applied knowledge in real-world settings.

AACU Employer Survey, 2013

What Employers Want


1. Verbal communication2. Work in a team3. Make decisions & solve problems4. Obtain and process information5. Plan, organize, & prioritize work6. Aanalyze quantitative data7. Specific technical knowledge8. Proficiency with workplace software9. Create and/or edit written reports10. Sell or influence others

Top 10 Qualities Employers Want


About us

1. Our sole purpose is career preparation

2. Staffed by knowledgeable, experienced professionals

3. Staff work closely with employers

4. Numerous resources on wide variety of areas

5. Variety of service delivery options – self-directed, one-on-one, group

Career Development CenterThe Resource for Career Success


Variety of services to help prepare students launch a

successful career:

• Counseling and Assessment

• Identifying Career

• Choosing major

• Development of career pathways

• Job Prep – Resume, interviewing, networking, social media

• Connect with employers – info sessions, fairs, On Campus Interview program



Some examples

CareerExpress• Virtual career center; available 24/7• Every important aspect of career search

Eagle iJobs – Online career services management system Job & internships, targeted to our students. Prior year:

• 1,225 new employers registered; 4,370 employers total • 1,225 internships• 3,750 job postings

Automated job search; document management Personalized communications Complete events calendar Mentors



Twenty four career events, serving almost 700

students (prior year), such as:

• Professional etiquette luncheon

• Criminal justice career fair

• Pizza with a professional

• Alumni internship panel

• Mock interviewing with employers

• Job shadowing program



Forty One presentations attended by over 1,000 students, by

employers such as: • US Marshalls• Southern California Edison• Sony Pictures• The Smithsonian Institution• Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles

Outreach to 58 employers such as:• AT&T• Cedars-Sinai Hospital• HBO• Lockheed-Martin• Port of Los Angeles• Time-Warner Cable



Questions & Discussion


Thank You!


Education

College & Career: Pathways to Success