Empower scholars to create and achieve career goals by providing comprehensive career education. Through collaboration and innovative practices, the center encourages scholars to:

• Engage in self-discovery
• Participate in experiential learning
• Build professional connections
• Demonstrate career readiness

Vision: To foster a career-centered campus culture that prepares all scholars to pursue their unique professional and academic aspirations.

Inclusion – To create a welcoming environment respectful of individuals’ unique backgrounds, beliefs, and goals.
Equity – To uphold policies, practices, and processes that ensure all students have access to career education and opportunities.
Service – To exceed the expectations of our internal and external constituents through open communication and responsiveness.
Student Learning – To promote student responsibility for lifelong career development through exploration, education, and experience.
Employer Connections – To develop and strengthen relationships with employers to create opportunities for students.
Collaboration – To partner with stakeholders across the University to enhance and support student achievement.
Data Driven – To engage in recommended assessment practices and make data-informed decisions.
Transparency – To collect and report career outcomes in addition to student and employer engagement data to the university community.
Innovation – To continually improve programs and service delivery through advances in technology, resources, and staff development.

By the nature of the work we do in career education, the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration (CCDAE) holds the ability to positively impact the lives of students through the advancement of their careers. Understanding that biases, power, and privilege are inherent in the employment process, we recognize and affirm each individual’s identities including race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, ability, veteran status, and religion. In order to improve the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts of the university, and to make the most positive impact possible, the staff commits to:

• Ensuring that operational policies and processes are accessible and welcoming to all
• Partnering and collaborating with university departments that support diverse students on programming and infusing career into spaces where students have established relationships
• Providing opportunities, such as, networking and experiential learning programs for students to increase their social capital and enhance their career development
• Developing a full-time and student staff that is reflective of the student body, through intentional, inclusive hiring that fills gaps in the career team when possible and by cultivating an equitable and just environment to promote the retention of staff
• Working with employer partners to assess and promote effective DEI practices to those that may be lacking and to learn from those that excel in this area
• Leveraging partnerships with organizations, such as NACE, Handshake, and others in the local community, to address issues of equity and social justice

 

As a result of participating in the services or utilizing resources offered by the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration, students will be able to:

• Formulate career goals, including choice of major, based on self-knowledge of interests, values, personality, and skills
• Identify resources and contacts to explore majors and careers of interest
• Understand the importance of experiential learning and construct a plan of action to pursue experiential learning opportunities
• Describe career readiness competencies and articulate them on resumes and in interviews
• Develop professionalism including resumes, cover letters, personal statements, and dress; effectively communicate skills and experiences to employers
• Practice networking skills with alumni, employers, and other professionals
• Connect with employing organizations online and in-person to explore part-time jobs, internships, and full-time opportunities

1. Enhance students’ career readiness through coaching, counseling, instruction, and innovative programming that aligns with industry trends.
1.1 Utilize data and collaborations to create an intentional programming plan
1.2 Provide programming, services, and resources for students of color, first generation students, students with disabilities, and student veterans
1.3 Offer professional development opportunities for student employees and student leaders

2. Create and nurture collaborations between the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration and the campus community to support students and employers.
2.1 Create opportunities to engage faculty and staff in career development
2.2 Promote the “one voice” model of employer development through communication and partnership across campus

3. Focus on employer engagement to increase opportunities for students.
3.1 Utilize a data driven strategy for employer development
3.2 Leverage the UT alumni network
3.3 Promote Handshake as the primary source of jobs (full- and part-time) and internships

4. Expand experiential learning opportunities for students.
4.1 Create a shadowing program
4.2 Grow VolTrek program
4.3 Increase funding streams for experience learning

5. Invest in technology to enhance services to constituents.
5.1 Add virtual and online career resources
5.2 Create opportunities for students and employers to engage virtually
5.3 Innovate What Can I Do With This Major? product

6. Effectively tell our story to campus and broader communities.
6.1 Utilize data to understand the impact of center use on student career outcomes
6.2 Promote the career center brand on campus
6.3 Contribute to academic and career development professional communities