Career Development Center encourages early engagement for optimum results

It’s reassuring to know that the Career Development Center team at Purdue University Fort Wayne consists of folks who earned degrees in various disciplines.

Jackie Stancil, executive director, started as a psychology major. Tracey Hanton, associate director, began studying international business with a minor in French. Melody Monday, one of the career counselors, majored in women’s studies before earning a master’s degree in counseling.

That makes them well-suited to help students who are confused, frustrated, and maybe lost on what to do next. This administrative unit’s overall goal is to walk beside students so they may be empowered to develop their individual brands while also honing their skills to go through a successful job search.

It’s optimum for students to start utilizing the development aspect of the center’s name as soon as possible after they first arrive on campus. Eight full-time staff members begin the process by speaking at every new student orientation, and then to more than 60 classes each academic year. They also host more than 70 events including job fairs, career connection seminars, Talent Tuesdays , a fashion show, and various collaborations with student organizations and university departments.

The goal is to train students to take ownership of their early career path through part-time jobs, co-ops, or internships, which then opens doors to a full-time opportunity after graduation. An earlier start allows for broader outreach, but the center also helps alumni who are looking to make a change and stresses it’s never too late to take advantage of the services it offers.

Besides building résumés, career counseling, and conducting mock interviews, the center offers a variety of services, including the Mastodon Career Closet, where students can pick out one business outfit per semester throughout their academic careers.

“Most of our students are already working and may think they already know how to find a job, or they have a job and wonder why they need an internship,” Stancil said. “They don’t recognize the value of stepping into something different or trying something that is outside the box that might lead to better opportunities. Sometimes we say, `You may have A job, but do you have THE job?’”

When students trust the staff and explore unique opportunities, they often come back with stories that validate taking those chances. Close collaboration with the First Year Advising Center continues to increase, and career assessment tests can open new opportunities.

“The student has to recognize that they can walk into Melody’s office, but she may not have the magic pill, so they are going to walk out and have everything situated,” Hanton said. “We help them understand that this is going to be a process and what that entails. My goal is if you come into my office at a level 10 of anxiety, but you leave with much less.”

The center’s mission includes building relationships with students and employers to start a lasting connection that helps both. There are also plenty of resources for faculty members to help their students.

“We have employers who count on us, and we count on them,” Monday said. “Faculty is the same thing. Once they get to know us and work with us, we can learn what they need. We even have career assignments they can give their classes. We are very flexible.”

Depending on faculty requests, classroom presentations can last as little as 15 minutes or fill the entire time.

Marcy Ball, assistant director and preprofessional advisor for health programs, teaches a biology resource seminar for first-year biology students. The aim is to furnish them with a comprehensive understanding of their degree program and the PFW resources available. Each fall, she invites Hanton to address her students.

“Tracey provides a comprehensive overview of the services offered at the Career Development Center,” Ball said. “In addition, she shares information about the Endorsed Program. Recognizing the inherent challenges of embarking on the academic journey, particularly for first-year students, the session serves as a pivotal platform for my students to access essential resources, including career counseling, résumé enhancement, and interview preparation, fostering their academic and professional growth.”

Team members believe the best part of a job with the center is helping students grow and seeing them succeed.

“The great thing about the people in our office is that you know they care and are passionate about what they are doing,” Hanton said.