Career development at App State prepares students for a lifetime of employability

View larger image — Brent Goodwin ’03, senior director of business analytics for Lowe’s Companies Inc., right, speaks with Appalachian alumnus Robert Lee Moore ’17 ’18, then a graduate student in Appalachian’s M.S. in accounting program, during the 2018 Walker College of Business Graduate Career Fair. The majority of employers who recruit at Appalachian are alumni — a testament to the lifelong connection the university nurtures with its graduates. Photo by Chase Reynolds

“Appalachian prepares students for careers, not just the first job. Career development is identity development. Having a career is doing meaningful work.”

Dr. Susan McCracken, director of career development and economic engagement

On average, 90% of Appalachian students report their career counseling appointment helped them with their specific need.

By Megan Bruffy

Posted Aug. 16, 2019 at 9:15 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — The resources available through Appalachian State University’s Career Development Center (CDC) empower students to take charge of their future and continue their success long after they’ve crossed the graduation stage.

“Appalachian prepares students for careers, not just the first job. Career development is identity development. Having a career is doing meaningful work.”

Dr. Susan McCracken, director of career development and economic engagement

“Appalachian prepares students for careers, not just the first job,” said Dr. Susan McCracken, Appalachian’s director of career development and economic engagement. “Career development is identity development. Having a career is doing meaningful work.”

McCracken and her CDC team are redefining the way students think about the career readiness process and encouraging students to start their journey as soon as they arrive at Appalachian.

“It is critical to get students to recognize early on the need to develop a strategy for how they will attain and demonstrate the competencies that broadly prepare them for a successful transition into the workplace,” said Jennifer Shaffer, associate director of employee relations and marketing in the CDC.

The focus of the CDC is to help students achieve three broad milestones:

Finding their value and how they want to impact others.
Exploring interests that align to their values, such as majors, industries, jobs and cities where they might want to live after graduating.
Gaining professional experiences.

Notable CDC events and resources

Internship and Job Fair — Employers at this event often seek skill sets rather than majors. The CDC sponsors several preparation events, including a professional dress pop-up shop that offers garments free of charge to students. On the day of the fair, students can have a free, professional headshot taken and attend a brief orientation session that highlights how to navigate the event.
Careers for Impact — In line with Appalachian’s mission of sustainability, inclusion and academic enrichment, the CDC hosts an event where students can learn from leaders at regional nonprofit organizations and Certified B Corporations — businesses that balance purpose and profit, working for the greater good.
Graduate and Professional School Fair — Over 30% of Appalachian students attain further education after graduation. This fair allows students to explore options and network with various admissions representatives of graduate and professional schools.
Career Exploration Office — This subdivision of the Career Development Center is wholly focused on guiding students as they discover themselves and their passions.
Handshake — Appalachian’s online career services portal serves as a hub for nearly 2,000 internship and job postings, as well as career counseling appointments, virtual information sessions and networking with potential employers.
Career Readiness Handbook — This resource offers students step-by-step suggestions for how to ready themselves for a lifetime of employability.

To foster one-on-one engagement and aid in identifying a student’s values and interests, each career counselor supports a specific college at Appalachian. The counselors are available to meet with students and discuss anything from resumes and interview skills to developing a digital identity and practicing their elevator pitch.

Individual career counseling appointments can also focus on how to translate experiential learning, like volunteer and community work, into the desired skills and competencies sought by employers. On average, 90% of Appalachian students report their career counseling appointment helped them with their specific need, according to post-appointment surveys conducted during the 2018–19 academic year.

The CDC also offers ongoing events related to writing resumes and cover letters and identifying internships. Signature events organized by the center include the annual Internship and Job Fair, Careers for Impact symposium, Graduate and Professional School Fair, and Talent Jam.

Professional experiences gained through student employment are a top priority for Appalachian. An average of 4,500 students are employed on Appalachian’s campus each year, and the CDC works to map job descriptions to career competencies.

The result? Experiences that yield transferrable skills — skills that prepare students for the challenges and opportunities they will find in the workplace and in life.

Additionally, on average, 80% of students self-report they’ve completed an internship either on or off campus. Internships create opportunities for students to demonstrate their skills, expand their competencies and network among industry professionals while still in school — all of which are invaluable when it comes time to apply for jobs.

Notable CDC events and resources

Internship and Job Fair — Employers at this event often seek skill sets rather than majors. The CDC sponsors several preparation events, including a professional dress pop-up shop that offers garments free of charge to students. On the day of the fair, students can have a free, professional headshot taken and attend a brief orientation session that highlights how to navigate the event.
Careers for Impact — In line with Appalachian’s mission of sustainability, inclusion and academic enrichment, the CDC hosts an event where students can learn from leaders at regional nonprofit organizations and Certified B Corporations — businesses that balance purpose and profit, working for the greater good.
Graduate and Professional School Fair — Over 30% of Appalachian students attain further education after graduation. This fair allows students to explore options and network with various admissions representatives of graduate and professional schools.
Career Exploration Office — This subdivision of the Career Development Center is wholly focused on guiding students as they discover themselves and their passions.
Handshake — Appalachian’s online career services portal serves as a hub for nearly 2,000 internship and job postings, as well as career counseling appointments, virtual information sessions and networking with potential employers.
Career Readiness Handbook — This resource offers students step-by-step suggestions for how to ready themselves for a lifetime of employability.

2018–19 CDC at a glance

Career counseling and programming:

7,476 individual students participated in a CDC experience, including career exploration, career counseling, attending a career fair or participating in a career trek.
CDC staff conducted 195 classroom presentations on career exploration, planning and readiness, reaching nearly 3,000 students.

Student employment:

On average, 4,500 students worked in part-time jobs on campus.
Of these students, 424 participated in the Federal Work-Study Program.

Employer engagement:

553 individual employers visited Appalachian’s campus. They participated in career fairs, information sessions, class engagement and panel discussions, and interviewed students.
6,821 employers are approved to recruit on campus.

Internships:

7,869 students engaged in experiential education for academic credit at 1,632 sites.

On average, 90% of Appalachian students report their career counseling appointment helped them with their specific need.

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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

‘You're hired!’

Employers explain why they hire Appalachian graduates

Why hire a graduate of Appalachian State University? Employers identify what they admire in new hires from App, including strong work ethic and professional preparation.

Learn more

Where can an Appalachian degree take you?

Anywhere you want to go! Appalachian State University generates passionate and engaged alumni, who become leaders in their communities and chosen professions. They exemplify how an Appalachian education can and does make the world a better place.

Learn more

First Destination Success

Appalachian tracks where its graduates go, notes high success rate

Whether graduates seek immediate employment or an advanced degree, their experience at Appalachian State University gets them where they want to go at a high rate of success.

Learn more

About the Career Development Center

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. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“Appalachian prepares students for careers, not just the first job. Career development is identity development. Having a career is doing meaningful work.”

Dr. Susan McCracken, director of career development and economic engagement

On average, 90% of Appalachian students report their career counseling appointment helped them with their specific need.

Notable CDC events and resources

Internship and Job Fair — Employers at this event often seek skill sets rather than majors. The CDC sponsors several preparation events, including a professional dress pop-up shop that offers garments free of charge to students. On the day of the fair, students can have a free, professional headshot taken and attend a brief orientation session that highlights how to navigate the event.
Careers for Impact — In line with Appalachian’s mission of sustainability, inclusion and academic enrichment, the CDC hosts an event where students can learn from leaders at regional nonprofit organizations and Certified B Corporations — businesses that balance purpose and profit, working for the greater good.
Graduate and Professional School Fair — Over 30% of Appalachian students attain further education after graduation. This fair allows students to explore options and network with various admissions representatives of graduate and professional schools.
Career Exploration Office — This subdivision of the Career Development Center is wholly focused on guiding students as they discover themselves and their passions.
Handshake — Appalachian’s online career services portal serves as a hub for nearly 2,000 internship and job postings, as well as career counseling appointments, virtual information sessions and networking with potential employers.
Career Readiness Handbook — This resource offers students step-by-step suggestions for how to ready themselves for a lifetime of employability.

Career Development Center

Learn more

2018–19 CDC at a glance

Career counseling and programming:

7,476 individual students participated in a CDC experience, including career exploration, career counseling, attending a career fair or participating in a career trek.
CDC staff conducted 195 classroom presentations on career exploration, planning and readiness, reaching nearly 3,000 students.

Student employment:

On average, 4,500 students worked in part-time jobs on campus.
Of these students, 424 participated in the Federal Work-Study Program.

Employer engagement:

553 individual employers visited Appalachian’s campus. They participated in career fairs, information sessions, class engagement and panel discussions, and interviewed students.
6,821 employers are approved to recruit on campus.

Internships: