Career Services Strategic Plan

1Career Services Strategic Plan
Western State Colorado University Career Services
Strategic Plan 2015 - 2017
Introduction:
Strategic Plan Overview…………………………………………………………………………..2
Strategic Plan:
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (S.W.O.T)…………………………………...3
Overarching Principles..............................................................................................................…...4
Pillar 1: Career Services Image Implementation Plan
GOAL 1.1: Mission, Vision, and Values…………………………………………….........5
GOAL 1.2: Survey...........................……………………………………………………....6
GOAL 1.3: Brand Consistency…………………………………………………................7
GOAL 1.4: Website..............………………………………………………………….....10
Pillar 2: Student and Campus Awareness Implementation Plan
GOAL 2.1: Connecting with students Annually......................…………..………............11
GOAL 2.2: Social Media………………………………………………..………...……..12
GOAL 2.3: Advertising (Templates)….…………………..………...………...................13
Pillar 3: Organization of Events and Services
GOAL 3.1: Descriptions/layouts of events………………………………………………15
Implementation Timeline...............................................................................................................16

Strategic Plan Overview
This strategic plan is being developed by the Career Services Intern to provide a guide for
future marketing and organization of the Career Services program over the next 3 years. This
should be implemented over the next year, a timeline will be provided to ensure Career Services
will be able to meet the deadlines.
Career Services supports Western State Colorado University’s Institutional Mission by
assisting students to prepare and attain careers or attend graduate school. Western, not unlike
every other public institution of higher education in the State of Colorado, does not offer
job/internship placement; however, job/internship postings are available to students via the
Careers for Mountaineers database and currently a webpage on western.edu/career.
Contact Information:
Coordinator: Mariah Green
mgreen@western.edu or careerservices@western.edu
Western State Colorado University
600 North Adams Street
Gunnison, CO 81231
970.943.7122
Career Services Intern: Harmony Neal
harmony.neal@western.edu
303-921-5275
Background:
Developed to assist students with the entire career related process. Career Services holds
events and provides yearlong services to assist Western students with their goals after
graduation.

S.W.O.T Analysis
Strengths (Internal):
Personal one-on-one professional assistance
Career Services provides a unique experience and assistance for students. Career
Services has the ability to meet with students individually and cater the service to
their needs, what jobs they are applying for, and what their major/minors are.
Keeping the overall theme of individuality that is Western.
The amount of information and resources provided to students through the website
On the Western webpage Career Services provides multiple resources for students
to assist in their job/graduate school search.
Weaknesses (Internal):
One person in charge of everything
If Career Services grows their student base the staff also needs to grow. Most
services at other schools include at least 3 people under the career services.
Western website clutter
There is a lot of information on the website, but it is difficult to navigate. If
Career Services reorganizes their resources this could fix this problem.
Opportunities (External):
Social media
The use of social media would increase awareness of the service. Social media
has the tools to allow Career Services to listen to students and interact with them
daily.
Surveys
Surveys would help to understand what the students want and what improvements
should be made to events and marketing plan.
Collaboration with academic programs
Professors should be concerned with how their students are growing and
improving after graduation. If Professors suggest that their students attend some
of the Career Service’s events it would not only help Career Services but the
academic programs at Western to have a higher employment rate after graduation.
It would be a good marketing tactic for those programs and the institution as a
whole.
Threats (External):
Student’s lack of motivation
Western students do not yet have an awareness of life after graduation. They don't
think about networking and the importance of their resumes.
Other events/competition on campus
Like (with) all other programs, competition on-campus affects event attendance.

Overarching Principles
Mission Statement: on Western Website
The Career Services Office was developed to assist students with the entire career related
process. Graduate school assistance is also available. -- On Facebook
Vision Statement: Nothing Found
Values Statement: Nothing Found
Currently on the Western Career Services Website:
Career Planning and Exploration
College to Career Planning Timetable
Career Insider
Careers For Mountaineers
Western Alumni Job Seeker
Resumes and Cover Letters
Employer's Services
Graduate Schools
Resources for Finding Graduate Schools
Applying to Graduate Schools
Colorado Graduate Schools
Financial Aid for Graduate School
Graduate School Entrance Exams
Internship Openings
Interview Skills
Common Interview Questions
The Virtual Interview
Job Search Resources
Career Services Events
Resources for Faculty
Researching Graduate Schools
Current Programs and Events:
Career Week
Career, Job and Internship Fair
Mock Interviews
Professional Development Dinner
Career Related Workshops
Career Closet
5 Minute resume reviews

Pillar 1: Career Services Image Implementation Plan
GOAL 1.1: Mission, Vision and Values
Objective: Develop a Mission, Vision and Values that students should associate with Career
Services. This will help the organization understand how to market and convey messages to
students and faculty/staff.
Action 1.1.1: Mission
1. What is the overall purpose of career services?
2. Is the mission statement quick and precise? Does it sound professional? Is there
fluff?
3. Does the mission statement clearly distinguish Career Services from other
services on campus? What about other schools’ Career Services?
Action 1.1.2: Vision
1.Vivid description of results that we want to accomplish.
2. Motivational tool to inspire, but make sure it is still realistic and measureable
Action 1.1.3: Values
1. Core priorities of Career Services.
2. Develop 4 to 6 values that Career Services would like to operate around.
These statements and guidelines will help Career Services have a clear way of communicating
their overarching values to their audience. It is the first goal in the strategic plan and should be
completed first because it will assist with the rest of the plan.
**Example of a Career Services Mission, Vision and Values
Georgetown University
Mission: The Georgetown University Cawley Career Education Center teaches students
how to identify career opportunities that fit with their values, interests, personality, and
skills. We empower students by providing resources designed to foster the development of
career management skills that will serve them as competent professionals. We facilitate
specialized programs and create relationships to connect students with employers and
generate internship and full-time opportunities.
Vision: The Cawley Career Education Center staff will be known as educators of
Georgetown University students. We will provide innovative career services to equip
students for lifelong career development a prepare them to make a difference in the
world.

Values: The staff of the Cawley Career Education Center aspires to demonstrate the
following values through our work with students, employers, university personnel,
alumni, and parents. These values will also guide the development of new programs,
services, and strategic plans and serve as a framework as we hire new career center
professionals.
 Knowledge
 Competence
 Student-Centered Approach
 Holistic View of Students
 Excellence
 Integrity
 Commitment
 Collaboration
 Appreciation for Diversity
 Compassion
 Creativity
GOAL 1.2: Survey
Achieve an understanding of how students interact with career services and what they want to
get from the services. This can be used to change the strategic plan.
Action 1.2.1: Using the free survey service on campus develop questions (one for
students and one for staff) on how they would like to see Career Services improve.... Also have a
blurb at the bottom to like us on social media.
**Example of questions for the survey:
Who is the head of Career Services?
Do you know where the Career Services Office is?
Have you started your resume? Have you gotten your resume reviewed?
Do you know what Careers for Mountaineers is?
Are you aware of the events Career Services hosts?
Did you attend the Career, Job and Internship fair in spring 2015?
Do you know that Career Services has a Facebook?
Suggest a new event or new service you think Career Services should provide.

GOAL 1.3: Brand Consistency
Objective: Who is Career Services?
Using the mission, vision and values statements decide who Career Services is. The service
should be available at any time to students, supporting their individuality. How do we
communicate that through brand?
Action 1.3.1: Logo? Develop an image to associate with Career Services.
**Example of a Career Services “logo” and “slogan”
Explore…Experience….Excel
Dream …..Determination….
Create…. Commit….
Focused….. Fearless…… Future

Action 1.3.2: Distinguish Western's Career Services by using what makes it unique.
Maybe it is a good thing that Career Services is in the back corner of ARC to provide a more one
on one experience in a safe environment... BUT students need to directly told, then they will
know a couple of things: (1) location, (2) importance of confidentiality, and (3) one-on-one
professional assistance. If we don't tell them they will not find out for themselves. Brainstorm
how to market this aspect of Career Services.
Objective: Marketing
Action 1.3.3: Resume Book—Develop strong tactics for marketing this opportunity that
Western has never provided before and why it is something more students should
participate in.
Why is the information on the Resume book not directly connected to the Career Services
page on the Western webpage?
**Example of the meaning behind a different school’s Resume Book
Action 1.3.4: Internal communication with faculty and Staff
Incentives (academic) for all events – Collaborating with Professors of capstone courses
or classes that directly connect with developing a plan for the future. Suggesting that they use
our services to directly correlate with their curriculum. For example Business Communication:
Professionalism and Resumes – connecting with the Career, Job and Internship Fair. Contact
Staff to see what their ideas are.

GOAL 1.4: Website
Objective: Reduce clutter on Western Website by reorganizing the Career Services page.
Action 1.4.1: Reorganize navigation.
About (Career Services):
Mission Vision and Values
Contact
Set up an appointment
Student Services:
Resumes and Cover Letters
Interviewing Skills
Common Interview Questions
The Virtual Interview
Job Search:
Internship Openings
Career Planning and Exploration
College to Career Planning Timetable
Career Insider
Western Alumni Job Seeker
Job Search Resources
Careers for Mountaineers
Graduate Schools:
Researching Graduate schools
Graduate School Entrance Exams
Resources for Finding Graduate Schools
Applying to Graduate Schools
Colorado Graduate Schools
Financial Aid for Graduate School
Career Services Events
Career Week
Mock Interviews
Career Closet
Employer Services
Faculty Resources

Pillar 2: Student and Campus Awareness
Implementation Plan
GOAL 2.1: What can Career Services help you with annually?
Action 2.1.1: College to Career timeline
Career Services has a plan for Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors on the website.
In order to utilize this more effectively Career Services should provide a checklist, either
hard copy or electronically on students’ western account.
This checklist is difficult to find on the website, if a checklist is provided with dates and
things students can do throughout the semester it will combat the excuse of not needing the
services that we provide.
**Example:

Action 2.1.2: Implement an email communication system to contact students multiple
times during the year. Separate scheduled emails for Freshman, Sophomore, Juniors and Seniors.
Email is another way to communicate and connect with students to convey the
importance of thinking about their future. The way to get the audience to act is to touch
them at least 7 times.
GOAL 2.2: Social Media
Objective: Social media will provide Career Services with a connection to students for
announcing events coming up and resources available to them.
Action 2.2.1: Post a status (including a link/picture/video and hashtags) everyday (if
possible).
Hashtags: #westernup #careerservices #mountaineers #gowestern #professional #resumereview
#coverletter
Action 2.2.2: Develop an evaluation system, using the statistics on Facebook insight
recording stats in an excel spreadsheet to see if activity has been impacted.

GOAL 2.3: Advertising
Objective: Develop a constant presence around campus and provide examples of what students
can do with the services. Create posters every semester for events that Career Services hosts so
that students are exposed to our schedule.
Action 2.3.1:Career Services Events poster
**Example:

Action 2.3.2: Internship advertising
Develop a system of advertising for internships, utilize social media, email,
posters, etc. brainstorm how to connect students to these opportunities.
**Examples
Utilize internmatch.com

Students need a jumping off point for internships and jobs, this is a great example of how Career
Services can answer questions and assist in the process.
Pillar 3: Organization of Events and Services
GOAL 3.1: Descriptions/layouts of events
Objective: Compile all information about events Career Services has held, including advertizing
contacts, timeline, and evaluations from previous events.
For each of the following:
Career Week
Mock Interviews
Career Closet

Implementation Timeline
End of Year
May 2016
Evaluate Plan
Oct. 1 – May
Goal 3.1 Descriptions/layouts of events
Sept. 20 – May
Goal 2.3 Advertising events and internships (decide on specific dates for events)
Sept. 10 – May
Goal 1.3 Brand consistency
Goal 1.4 Website
Sept. 5 – May
Goal 2.1 What can Career Services help you with? Start emails and flyers
Goal 2.2 Social media
Aug. 24 – Sept. 5
Goal 1.1 Mission, vision and values
Goal 1.2 Survey

Career Services Strategic Plan

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