Changing Higher Ed Post University's Career Readiness Model Can Help Not-For-Profit Universities and Graduates
Although a for-profit institution, Post University employs a unique and effective two-fold approach to ensure graduates are career-ready with lifelong learning skills that “not-for-profit” universities can emulate on their campuses.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Director Camille Dumont of the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) about how she aligned career services with academia at Post University to better prepare students for the workforce. Camille discusses how Post ensures students are thinking about their careers from the moment they enroll and how online-only learners receive and benefit from the same services as those who attend the university on campus.
Podcast Highlights
- Camille’s mindset on lifelong learning is influenced by personal experience. She successfully transferred the skills she learned in the hotel industry to the healthcare industry and now to higher ed, where she works in career services.
- Originally, only Post’s juniors and seniors took a critical Foundation course to learn critical information about their career choices alongside their cohorts in the same field of study. In these courses, students receive prompts to encourage online or in-person discussions so they can start thinking about what it is they want to do.
- On the academic side, students now have conversations with admissions and advising as soon as they are accepted to determine what major or career they might be interested in. Students are then enrolled in a CTC College to Career course based on their answers to provide them with important information as early as possible about their chosen career path, such as the lifestyles of current employees or possible outcomes in related occupations. This can either validate their interests or give them the opportunity to switch early on.
- On the non-academic side, a new CCPD program prepares students for the junior and senior Foundation courses as soon as they enroll. Students first take an assessment of who they are and then build different types of resumes, participate in mock interviews, and learn the art of interviewing and networking, along with the benefits of joining professional associations. CCPD also meets virtually with online students throughout the week.
- CCPD uses the virtual job platform Handshake to conduct virtual career fairs for online students. Post’s webinars inform these students how to prepare for a virtual career fair such as how to ensure they have the proper background, lighting, and attire. Meanwhile, students create their resumes and upload them onto Handshake.
- CCPD has programs where employers or alumni talk to students on campus. These events are livestreamed, recorded, and hosted on the university website and YouTube channel for online-only students. These recordings are also repurposed for additional learning opportunities. For example, students are asked to identify what skills employers say they need in these recordings and, if they can, to add them to their resume or incorporate them into their overall conversation with employers when applying for a job or internship.
- Post University starts at the basics by not assuming students know everything about transitioning to the workforce to ensure everyone is on the same page. For example, students are taught what a discussion board, rubric, or resume is. Post also ensures that students understand that all work experience matters and that the skills they learned in these jobs are transferrable to various careers. For instance, retail workers acquire customer service and communication skills.
- Post students have access to a locked closet with gently used professional men’s and women’s attire that have been donated by staff and faculty members. Students can try these clothes on and even take them for use in interviews and career fairs, etc.
About Our Podcast Guest
Camille Dumont, recently named Director of the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) at Post University, brings a wealth of experience to the role. She has been part of the university since 2011, initially as a faculty member and then in various leadership roles. With a background in health services management and a strong foundation in business skills gained from her early career at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, Camille is well-equipped to lead the CCPD. She has also been actively involved in professional organizations like CCCDA, NACE, and NCDA. Camille's goal is to expand CCPD services to benefit all Post students, both on-campus and online, with innovative programs and support for their career journeys.
About the Host
Dr. Drumm McNaughton, host of Changing Higher Ed®, is a consultant to higher education institutions in governance, accreditation, strategy and change, and mergers. To learn more about his services and other thought leadership pieces, visit his firm’s website: https://changinghighered.com/.
The Change Leader’s Social Media Links
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdrumm/
- https://www.youtube.com/@ChangingHigherEd
- Email: podcast@changinghighered.com
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