Connecting Students & Employers from Day 1 through Industry Projects

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  • Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
  • Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. ET
  • Location: Online
  • Fee: $69 (member); $89 (nonmember);
  • First- and second-year undergraduates often struggle to find real-world experiences in which they can develop the career readiness competencies valued by today's employers. Moreover, once students gain experience, they do not always know how to articulate competency proficiency to future employers. To address these challenges, Northeastern University’s Employer Engagement and Career Design Office developed a program for first- and second-year undergraduates, the Northeastern University Virtual Integrated Experiential Workshop (NU VIEW). NU VIEW offers students an opportunity to work on an industry challenge while simultaneously engaging in career development. This presentation will provide an overview of the development and implementation of NU VIEW. Attendees will leave with an understanding of how they can implement a similar program at their own institution.

  • Summary

    NACE's Job Outlook 2023 highlights a gap between the top three competencies employers value and their rating of recent graduates. At the same time, first- and second-year undergraduates often struggle to find real-world experiences in which they can develop those career readiness competencies. Moreover, once they gain experience, they do not always know how to articulate competency proficiency to future employers.   

    To address these challenges, Northeastern University’s Employer Engagement and Career Design Office developed a pilot program for first- and second-year undergraduates called the Northeastern University Virtual Integrated Experiential Workshop (NU VIEW). NU VIEW offers students an opportunity to work on an industry challenge while simultaneously engaging in career development.   

    The program allows students to explore an industry and build meaningful connections with employers early in their undergraduate careers. As an interdisciplinary opportunity, students across the institution have an opportunity to come together to participate in cohorts. By the end of the month-long workshop, students have engaged in problem-solving, gained professional skills working on a presentation for an employer, collaborated with their peers, and practiced articulating these achievements in resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, and more. 

    This presentation will provide an overview of the development and implementation of NU VIEW, integrating the employer and student experience. Presenters will share data-driven insights on the successes and challenges of year three of the pilot program (which includes a brand-new industry track) and explain their vision for the future expansion of the program. Attendees will leave with an understanding of how they can implement a similar program for their undergraduate populations. 

    Following this program, you will be able to:

    • Learn best practices and receive advice on how to implement a similar pilot program for their own students;
    • Learn how a scaffolded employer project can help first- and second-year students to develop and then practice articulating career readiness competencies; and
    • Reflect on your own campus for programmatic fit and explore how data collection can help to measure impact and success.
  • Career Level: Intermediate career services and university relations and recruiting professionals

Questions?

Visit the professional development FAQ page, or contact the NACE Professional Development Team via e-mail or phone, 610.625.1026.