Baylor Career Center Refocuses for a Student-Centered Approach

In February 2019, Career & Professional Development and Hankamer School of Business Office of Career Management came together to form a central University office that works to ensure each student has the opportunity and support to achieve their career potential. The new and improved Baylor Career Center has put in work to evaluate national best practices and has refocused their model.

Initially, the merge of the two offices left some questions as to how to approach student career services. To learn which of their methods have been successful, the Career Center team sought more data on success and job placement of recent graduates. With a response rate of more than 90%, the Career Center could begin to more accurately target areas for improvement. The Career Center has become more directional in their efforts, making it easier and more effective to teach students how to fulfill their career potential.

One of the major ways that the Center has grown their efforts for student career success is to implement Career Success Professionals for areas of study. Students now have access to professionals who specialize in specific fields of interest. This student-centered approach will provide students with more resources and increase ownership in their respective career success.

“Our department’s calling is to provide each Baylor University student with the career resources and clarity to take ownership of their career trajectory and make their professional dreams a reality,” said Ken Buckley, assistant dean of the Career Center. “As part of that commitment, every student at Baylor University will have dedicated career professionals available to them, based on their major.”

Access to more accurate success and job placement rates also means being able to work together with various departments and schools to success goals. Career Success Professionals have teamed up with departments to coordinate regularly hosting office hours for students in those departments to have a chance to speak with the career professionals for their area of study.

“In addition, career information such as job placement, grad school placement, student career success, average salaries, major employers and overall career profiles of each graduating class will be shared with students, staff, faculty and key stakeholders on a regular and timely basis,” said Buckley.

Collaboration with faculty and staff to encourage student career success will provide students with several points of contact for aid and support. The Career Center now has three offices to make access for students, faculty and staff even easier. Located in Sid Richardson, Foster and Rogers, career professionals are now physically closer to students, creating more opportunities for engagement.

Other efforts toward a holistic student view include packaging major-specific information and resources in the Handshake database for students to easily navigate their career field prospects as well as find résumé and cover letter evaluations, tests for career path suggestions, Career Success Professional contact information and more.

The Baylor Career Center’s new efforts place the center in a proactive position, targeting students quickly and effectively before recruitment seasons to prepare them. Successful efforts like Café Résumé in Moody Library, BU Suit Up in conjunction with JCPenney and career fairs will continue to support students in their path toward career success.

Visit the brand-new Career Center website for more information, baylor.edu/careercenter.