career services and retention

Career Services and RetentionStrategies for Success

Created & Presented by Christine Shine November 2016

Presentation Focus

• The role of Career Services in the overall retention strategy for a community college

• Ways in which Career Services contributes to student engagement, retention and success

• Examples of initiatives including internships and mentoring

• How Career Services will evaluate the success of Career Services in its contribution to retention


Students are more successful when they…

• Connect early to services

• Determine career goals and educational pathways

• Engage and connect with the community

• Connect academics to the world of work

• Understand the educational ROI

• Know their education will lead to career or transfer

• Receive assistance to overcome barriers

What We Know About Retention


• SOAR Orientation Participation– new student– transfer student– Family

• Career advising sessions and assessments

• Extended career counseling availability

• Hosting a table during orientation

• Introduction and presentation

• Social media sign ups

• Website registration

Early Intervention


• Working with students individually

• Providing assessments and interpretation

• Cross-training with Academic Advisors

• Providing training for Faculty and Staff Advisors

• Collaborating with Advisors

• Integrating career development into the curriculum

• Providing online resources

Identifying & Pursuing Goals


•Events including Career Fair

•Workshops

•Club and classroom presentations

•Employer visits

•Alumni panels

•Mentoring program

•Social Media

•Website and App

Student Engagement


• Curriculum integration

• Classroom presentations

• Alumni connections and presentations

• Employer presentations

• Internships

• Online resources

Connecting Academics & Careers


•Job and salary statistics

•Employers who have hired students in the past

•Companies looking to hire

•Alumni connections & statistics


•Internships

•LinkedIn

•Snapchat

Return on Investment


•Resume and cover letter writing

•Mock interviews

•Job search assistance

•Professionalism

•Internships

•On campus recruiting

•Job postings

•College recruiter visits

•Personal essay assistance


Gainful Employment and/or Transfer


•Job postings on and off campus• Summer, temp, part-time, full-time

•Paid internships

•Links to scholarships

•Professional clothing closet

•Resume writing

•Job applications

•Interviewing

Help with ImmediateEmployment & Financial Needs


•Intrusive career advising

•Presentations during remedial classes


•Specific initiatives, presentations, resources for various groups• First generation• Military• Low income• Minorities• Disabilities• Academic difficulties• International• Older students

At Risk Students


Leadership Ambassadors Program

•Multicultural Mentoring Program

•STEM Mentor Program

•Boston Scientific Mentoring Program (business)

•Success Boston Mentoring Program

•Young Men of Color Mentor Program

•Events include Information Sessions & Reception

Mentoring Programs


• Students completed 12 units or more• Searching and securing internships

– Career services, academic department, independent

• Resumes, Cover Letters, Interviewing• Internship Success and Etiquette workshops• Business clothing• Goal development• Class credit and faculty advisor• Career Services support employers and students • International students CPT / OPT

Internship Program


• Benchmarking

• Goal development

• Tracking

• Evaluations

• Surveys

• Focus Groups

Measuring Outcomes


• Benchmarking

– Percentage of students utilizing programs– Percentage of students not using services– Any details about how services have helped in persistence,

retention, engagement, completion

• Developing clear goals and measurable outcomes to align with the retention goals of the college

Benchmarking & Goal Development


• Website & App

•Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat

•Individual appointments

•Participation in events

•Workshop/presentation attendance

•Internship Program

•Mentoring Program

Tracking Students


Surveys, Evaluations, Focus Groups

• Current Students

• Non Returning students

• Alumni (Transfer, AA, Certificate)

• Employers

• Staff

• Faculty


Measuring Student Engagement, Persistence &

Retention• Percentage of students using our services

• Which services are being used the most

• Which services were helpful and which were not

• What services would be more helpful

• Did services help students persist in their academic program

• Did services help students finish their program or transfer


Connecting Academics to Work

• Can students connect their program to jobs

• Can students connect their program to companies hiring

• Do students feel prepared for the world of work

• How can Career Services better prepare for work and transfer


Evaluating Internship Program

• Percentage of students participating in the program

• Percentage of students completing their program

• Percentage of students securing a position in their field after completion

• Percentage of students transferring to a 4 year university

• Percentage of companies hiring interns

• Did the internship help with employment, program completion, and transferring


Alumni Survey & Focus Group

• Where are former students working

• What schools did students transfer to

• Was Career Services helpful in getting a job or in transferring

• How can Career Services improve in meeting students needs

• How can Career Services better advertise to students

• What services would you like to see more of


Future Initiatives& Collaboration

Committees / Summits

• Form committee with students, faculty, staff to improve career services

• Employer summit group to discuss how to get students better prepared and how to engage employers


Questions and Discussion

Christine Shine, [email protected]

www.careerfoundations.org
