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‘Careers for Impact’: Students explore businesses balancing purpose and profit

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Dr. Saskia van de Gevel, associate professor in the Department of Geography and Planning, left, moderated a panel discussion on “Science for Change” businesses, including a live panelist from the National Geographic Society, right, and teleconference panelists from Esri and The Collider. Photo by Chase Reynolds

By Jan Todd
Posted Feb. 27, 2019 at 3:49 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — The inaugural “Careers for Impact” event on Appalachian State University’s campus Feb. 20 provided students the opportunity to explore career opportunities and learn more about participating in regional nonprofit organizations and Certified B Corporations — a type of business that balances purpose and profit, working for the greater good. The university’s Career Development Center (CDC) presented the event.

“We collaborated with faculty and students for months to plan this event to showcase employers making a positive impact on society with a commitment to sustainability, said Dr. Susan McCracken, Appalachian’s director of career development and economic engagement. “It brought together a remarkable group of committed and passionate individuals — employers, students, Appalachian staff and faculty — who want to impact the world and gave them a forum to share and learn with one another.”

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Students attending a panel discussion at the “Careers for Impact” event held on Appalachian State University’s campus Feb. 20. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Interactive panel discussions, moderated by members of Appalachian’s faculty and CDC staff, spanned three topic areas: Science for Change, Social Impact and Advocacy, and Sustainable Business and Social Entrepreneurship.

Some of the topics addressed by the participating business representatives:

  • Mission and purpose of their organizations.
  • Career journeys of the presenters.
  • Trends in and future of the businesses.
  • Internship and job opportunities.
  • Specific skills and qualifications desired in new hires.

Faculty from several departments encouraged students to attend and, despite inclement weather, more than 400 students took part in the event.

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Informal meet-ups, such as this one held in Appalachian’s Student Veteran Services, allowed employers to have informal conversations and learn more about student culture at Appalachian. Eric Gormly, program director of student veteran services, pictured in the foreground, talks with one of the business representatives. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Susan Poorman, senior lecturer in Appalachian’s Department of Communication, said, “I think students need to hear how people can craft a career from their passions. As one of the panelists said, ‘There is a disconnect — students want to be socially active but don’t see it as a career choice, yet they should.’”

Dr. Adam Hege, assistant professor of public health education in the Department of Health and Exercise Science, said, “Students get to hear from us faculty in the classroom about all of these service/impact career opportunities, and it was exciting for them to hear from actual professionals out there doing so — those who choose service and impact over money and prestige.”

“Young people want careers in which they can dedicate themselves to community and service. However, nonprofits and other government agencies often lack the capacity to recruit on college campuses and to help make students aware of the incredible resources they have. The ‘Careers for Impact’ event showed how Appalachian is at the forefront of matching student interest and passion with employment opportunities that make a difference . . . and how the graduates of Appalachian will help ensure a more just and sustainable society.”

G. Dylan Russell, executive director of Lead NC

Business representatives at the event also had an opportunity to learn more about Appalachian students through informal “meet-ups” with clubs, offices and departments, including:

  • The Department of Student Engagement and Leadership.
  • Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT).
  • The Women’s Center.
  • The Henderson Springs LGBT Center.
  • The Office of Student Research.
  • Student Veteran Services.
  • Wellness and Prevention Services.
  • The Office of International Education and Development.
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With wintery weather conditions during the event, some corporate representatives participated in the “Careers for Impact” event via teleconference. Photo by Chase Reynolds

The meet-ups, along with a coffee hour networking session at the end of the day, were designed for employers to have informal conversations and learn more about Appalachian’s multidimensional students.

McCracken said a student she spoke with shared it was these individual conversations with employers that helped the student gain confidence and “what you do is only as important as who you are.”

Employer quotes

“My experience at the ‘Careers for Impact’ at Appalachian State University was more than I expected. I was so impressed by the engagement of the students and it is clear that they really care about a lot of important issues.”

Patricia Carson, executive coordinator for Sustaining Way

“I enjoy working for a company connected to a higher purpose. I may not get rich, but what we’re doing is the right thing to do.’”

Brian Dunmire, operations manager for Green Sage Cafe

“It was beautiful to feel the passionate energy from the students.”

Alisa Herr ’06, CEO of Digital Unity Agency

“Thank you for the invitation to participate in such a nurturing and impactful event. We love coming to App State and learning more about the students in new ways.”

Sally Loftis, human resources manager for Penland School of Craft

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2019 employers that participated in ‘Careers for Impact’*

Topic: Science for Change

  • The Biltmore Co.
  • The Collider.
  • Esri.
  • National Geographic Society.
  • North Carolina Biotechnology Center.

Topic: Social Impact and Advocacy

  • HealthCorps Inc.
  • Infinite Beginnings LLC.
  • Lead NC.
  • Sustaining Way.
  • U.S. Peace Corps.
  • Wine to Water.

Topic: Sustainable Business and Social Entrepreneurship

  • The Bark House.
  • Ben & Jerry’s.
  • Buchi Kombucha.
  • French Broad Chocolates.
  • Gaia Herbs.
  • Green Sage Cafe.
  • Penland School of Craft.
  • No Evil Foods.
  • Unity Digital Agency.

*Some company representatives attended via teleconference due to inclement weather on the day of the event.

About the Career Development Center

The Career Development Center at Appalachian State University supports the mission of the university and its Division of Student Affairs in developing lifelong learners and leaders by engaging and challenging students within a culture of care and inclusion. Students who participate in the center’s services are able to identify core values, beliefs and skills and use them to articulate relatable career goals; acquire transferable skills and relevant experiences for future professional endeavors; and utilize resources that are available to gain experiential learning opportunities and cultivate professional networks. Learn more at https://careers.appstate.edu.

About the Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs at Appalachian State University is committed to the development of lifelong learners and leaders by engaging and challenging students within a culture of care and inclusion. The division consists of 16 units that offer activities and services to help students develop more fully by becoming global learners, fostering healthy relationships, appreciating diversity and different perspectives, understanding community responsibility, enhancing self-awareness, developing autonomy and living ethically. These units include the Career Development Center, Campus Activities, Office of Community-Engaged Leadership, Wellness and Prevention Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Service, Parent and Family Services, University Housing, Student Conduct, University Recreation, Intercultural Student Affairs, Student Legal Clinic and Off-Campus Student Services, Electronic Student Services, Child Development Center, and Staff Development and Strategic Initiatives. Learn more at https://studentaffairs.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

“My experience at the ‘Careers for Impact’ at Appalachian State University was more than I expected. I was so impressed by the engagement of the students and it is clear that they really care about a lot of important issues.”

Patricia Carson, executive coordinator for Sustaining Way

“I enjoy working for a company connected to a higher purpose. I may not get rich, but what we’re doing is the right thing to do.’”

Brian Dunmire, operations manager for Green Sage Cafe

“It was beautiful to feel the passionate energy from the students.”

Alisa Herr ’06, CEO of Digital Unity Agency

2019 employers that participated in ‘Careers for Impact’*

Topic: Science for Change

  • The Biltmore Co.
  • The Collider.
  • Esri.
  • National Geographic Society.
  • North Carolina Biotechnology Center.

Topic: Social Impact and Advocacy

  • HealthCorps Inc.
  • Infinite Beginnings LLC.
  • Lead NC.
  • Sustaining Way.
  • U.S. Peace Corps.
  • Wine to Water.

Topic: Sustainable Business and Social Entrepreneurship

  • The Bark House.
  • Ben & Jerry’s.
  • Buchi Kombucha.
  • French Broad Chocolates.
  • Gaia Herbs.
  • Green Sage Cafe.
  • Penland School of Craft.
  • No Evil Foods.
  • Unity Digital Agency.

*Some company representatives attended via teleconference due to inclement weather on the day of the event.

“Thank you for the invitation to participate in such a nurturing and impactful event. We love coming to App State and learning more about the students in new ways.”

Sally Loftis, human resources manager for Penland School of Craft

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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