Short Experiences, Big Impact: Designing and Funding Nontraditional Career Programs

Career Level: Basic-, intermediate-, and advanced-level career services and university relations and recruiting professionals
Competency: Acquisition of appropriate career resources
Fee: $49 (member); $69 (nonmember);

This product is currently unavailable. If you have any questions, please contact NACE Education & Events at events@naceweb.org, 610.625.1026.

Summary
College students often face a dilemma when applying for jobs and internships. Prior experience is a critical factor in employer hiring decisions, but to get experience, students often need to have experience already. At the same time, many colleges are facing budgetary pressures that make expanding traditional internship programs cost-prohibitive. In this session, presenters will discuss how college career centers can use short-term, nontraditional career experiences to prepare their students for success at little or no cost.

During the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to review how key trends in the labor market, such as rapid growth in remote working and the “gig economy,” have made it possible for colleges to introduce nontraditional, short-term career education programs that can help students of all experience levels build their resumes, learn new skills, and grow their professional network. Presenters will also discuss specific types of short-term career experiences colleges can consider using, including micro-internships, pro bono service projects, career competitions, job shadowing experiences, and career “treks.” Given the intense budgetary pressures faced by many colleges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the session will also include ideas for how attendees can finance programs that do have associated costs, including partnering with the development office, seeking employer sponsorships, and using federal work-study funding.

Following this program, you will be able to:
- Discuss how college career centers can use short-term, nontraditional career experiences to prepare their students for success at little or no cost;
- Understand employer hiring decisions through case study exercises; and
- Review how key trends in the labor market have helped students of all experience levels build their resumes, learn new skills, and grow their professional network.
Presenters

Meredith Daw, Director, Career Advising & Planning Services, The University of Chicago - Career Advancement
As associate vice president and executive director of career advancement at the University of Chicago, Meredith Daw directly manages undergraduate career services and serves as a member of the leadership team for undergraduate admissions and financial aid. During her tenure, the college has achieved a 96% rate of recent graduates securing substantive plans, expanded relationships with employers throughout the world, given students unprecedented access to industry experts, and piloted new initiatives to support underrepresented students. Daw holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.