CCE Hosts Inaugural Career Partners Luncheon

On October 8th, the Center for Career Engagement (CCE) hosted 58 campus partners from across WashU whose roles have a high student engagement responsibility. Norma Guerra Gaier, Associate Vice Chancellor for Career Development and Education, welcomed luncheon guests and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to share about the strategic direction of the CCE with particular emphasis on empowering faculty and staff in supporting student career development. Dr. Anna Gonzalez, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs highlighted the importance of partnership as our WashU community works together to support lifelong student success. Executive Director of the CCE, Danny Pape, shared about the center’s mission and vision, and the team shared a short video spotlighting their values in action.

 Christine Keller, Director of Career Communities & Career Development, moderated a panel about the career coaching process including what students can expect, how they can prepare for appointments as well as how and when advisors can refer students to the CCE. A few key take-aways shared by the panelists included: 

  1. “It’s never too early and it’s never too late for a student to come in for support in their career journey. The CCE supports all students from year one, through graduation, into graduate school and beyond.” – Carol Moakley, Associate Director, Career Exploration Community
  2. “Career coaches will ask good questions to help students develop their own actionable next steps.” – April Shinell, Associate Director, Health Care & Sciences Career Community 
  3. “We know students have cross disciplinary interests and we work together across career communities to provide the support students may need. For example, the Graduate Business Community and Health Care & Sciences Community are working together to prepare students interested in Healthcare Management.” – Karissa Rusu, Associate Director, Graduate Business Community.
  4. “The Career Exploration community is a space where students can be supported as they learn about themselves and discover possibilities. Students don’t need to feel pressured to ‘have it all figured out’.” – Carol Moakley

The panel also shared about the Career Engagement Process as well as an overview of all eight career communities.

 The emphasis on campus collaboration was further highlighted by the announcement of a Career Partners Network, a forthcoming program to broaden the WashU career ecosystem of faculty and staff who contribute to student career exploration, discernment, and skill building. This opportunity will be open to all faculty and staff and will include access to optional trainings and resources. Erin Mitchener, Assistant Director from the Academic & Campus Partnerships team shared about this initiative, which is actively seeking volunteers for a focus group to help inform the program’s design and implementation. Faculty and staff interested in joining the focus group can do so before Friday, November 22.  Nan Barnes, Director of the Academic Partnerships closed the event with words of gratitude and shared ways for partners to stay connected with the CCE.

By Center for Career Engagement
Center for Career Engagement