Many community college and university campuses across the nation and globe have incorporated career development centers into their student affairs resource offerings. This resource, although beneficial for students, does not always supply them with the greater needs of employers and organizations in the current job market. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (2018) listed out core competencies that showed the percentage of employers that rated recent graduates based upon those competencies and several reported ratings under fifty percent (see Appendix A). In order to address these concerns “key cognitive strategies, learning skills and techniques” must be adopted to re-align employer and organization expectations with those of higher education (Developing College and Career Readiness, n.d.).
Career Ready, a career readiness facility, aims to educate and broaden the knowledge of new workforce professionals graduating from higher education institutions by making intentional efforts to partner with local community colleges, universities, businesses and organizations to streamline expectations. This facility will help to train students on practical skills needed that would be sustainable for a variety of different fields. Partnerships with global and national companies, as well as, the local community are being established to help understand what the needs are and create pathways to ensure students are successful postgraduation.
Areas such as problem solving, teamwork, leadership, oral and written communication are emphasized within programming to help students understand the expectations for their fields of study. In addition, the student’s personality traits will be examined to help them understand their opportunities and strengths and how to become self-aware and best leverage those in the workforce. Career Ready’s focus on the individual with the knowledge of business/organization expectations will create professionals that will be successful and increase institutional recognition.
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The connections and innovation fostered from Career Ready thrives as the epicenter for business, education and industry within the community. According to the National Association of College and Employers (NACE, 2017), “91% of employers prefer candidates have work experience”. The partnerships fostered within the community allow Career Ready to create a flourishing job market with individuals that have marketable skills and knowledge. The sustainable approach at the center is always evolving and by being the hub within the community creates pathways for internship and co-op experiences (NACE, 2017).
The Career Ready staff will lead and educate the community about the 6 Elements of Excellence (Brock, 2011, p.11). The staff will create viability and sustainability by working with institutions on creating a curriculum which allows students to learn competencies and gain valuable experience and skills in and outside the classroom (Brock, 2011, p.11). Staff organizes research and resources to continue growth and foster relationships to increase revenue sources (Brock, 2011, p.11). Career Ready fosters community involvement which connects students and leaders within industry which cultivates mentors and role models, leads innovation, and creates a positive economic impact in the community (Brock, 2011, p.11).
The fiscal opportunities for Career Ready are endless as “service-related industries that require higher-order skills, and place added value within industries on occupations and tasks that utilize such skills” (Berube, p.115) are needed in every community. The revenue sources for Career Ready and staff will be supported by the city, business, industry and institutions of higher learning. Career Ready fosters strategies to “promote flexible economic opportunities for well-educated” (Berube, p.115) and skilled individuals which is the lead driver of economic growth which allows the community to thrive.
Part III
Career Ready will work to partner with businesses and the community to help students interning and volunteering. Businesses and organizations will have a bigger presence being advertised through the school, and the community can expect these students to be successful in the workforce and improve the economy. Career Ready will play a role in the institutional enrollment, retention, and completion rates. If a student knows they will leave the college not only with a college credential, but also experience in their desired field, they will be more drawn to that institution.
Another benefit of Career Ready would be setting students up for a successful life plan. According to Applied Educational Systems, Inc. (2020), there is a disparity between the knowledge companies want their potential employees to have, and what the applicants actually know. Experiencing what partnering businesses expect of their employees will help students figure out where their passion lies, the parts they enjoy about the field, the parts they do not enjoy, as well as having a smoother transition from college to the “real world”.
While Career Ready will result in many benefits, it will also face challenges along the way. The major challenge that will rise from introducing this program will be participation rates. Many students have busy schedules juggling between work, families, a social life, and their course load. According to Muñiz and Eimerbrink (2018), transitioning to the workforce should be a gradual process that occurs throughout a student’s entire college career. Institutions can make the decision to make the program mandatory for students to participate in. According to Allen, Poteet, & Finkelstein (2009), individuals tend to offer more commitment, effort, and passion into something they participate in voluntarily. Although, if a college decides to offer college credit hours in return for a student interning or volunteering with a business, they will have the motivation to earn course credit on top of getting work experience.
It is imperative to address the challenges in developing and maintaining a successful career center in the community. The benefits and challenges play a significant role in employee and client acquisition, networking and marketing to education leaders and business leaders in the community and to secure funding. These benefits and challenges will be incorporated into the components of completing each of the S.M.A.R.T. goals. It is important when setting goals to consider the programs mission and vision. Career Ready’s mission is to partner with viable businesses and educational leaders to foster employment opportunities for those in our community. The vision is to create opportunities which allow for those in our community in which we serve, to increase and bring innovation, skills and knowledge, create access and changes the socio-economic mobility of our community. The three S.M.A.R.T. goals include the following:
- Craft a mission statement for Career Ready that addresses the purpose of the center in relation to its clients, employees and community.
- Create a plan for sustainability by May 2020 that includes a budget for facility presence, identification and application of viable grants, and budget for employee compensation.
- Develop community partnerships with local businesses and higher education institutions by December 2020 by conducting need assessment surveys and facilitating network opportunities with leadership.
The mission and vision of Career Ready aligns with the timeline at its inception in February 2020 through the grand opening projection in March 2021. Each goal includes an engagement piece within the community businesses, organizations, and education leaders. The engagement of these leaders is crucial, as future employers and education leaders play an important role in ensuring that college students are career ready and prepare the student for transition from career to employment (NACE, 2019).
References
- Allen, T. D., Poteet, M. L., & Finkelstein, L. M. (2009). Designing Workplace Mentoring Programs : An Evidence-Based Approach. Wiley-Blackwell.
- Applied Educational Systems, Inc. (2020). What Is Career Readiness And How Do I Teach It?: Applied Educational Systems. Retrieved from https://www.aeseducation.com/career-readiness/what-is-career-readiness
- Berube, A. (n.d.). Brooking Report: Educational Attainment. State of Metropolitan America. Retrieved from https://bblearn.nau.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-8277701-dt-content-rid-161127844_1/xid-161127844_1
- Brock, Debbi D. (2011). “Social Entrepreneurship Education Resource Handbook.” Ashoka U. http://ashokau.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/AshokaU_Handbook_Preview.pdf.
- Developing College and Career Readiness (n.d.) Retrieved from https://careervision.org/developing-college-career-readiness/
- Muñiz, E. J., & Eimerbrink, P. (2018). Career Readiness Education (CRED) Program. Journal of Higher Education Theory & Practice, 18(6), 110-122.
- National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2018). Are College Graduates “Career Ready”?. Retrieved from https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/are-college-graduates-career-ready/
- National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2017). Employers Prefer Candidates with Work Experience. Retrieved from https://www.naceweb.org/talent-acquisition/candidate-selection/employers-prefer-candidates-with-work-experience/
- National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2019). Employers Play Key Role in Career Readiness, Competency Development. Retrieved from https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/employers-play-key-role-in-career-readiness-competency-development/
