A concept drawing of the Career Development Center relocation to Plemmons Student Union. The $1.95 million project embraces more innovative uses of technology, along with high-quality, in-person engagement and flexible formats that meet the career and professional needs of Appalachian State University students and the recruiting needs of employers. Image courtesy of LAMBERT Architecture + Interiors
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University is relocating its Career Development Center from John E. Thomas Hall to the heart of campus — Plemmons Student Union (PSU). According to App State leaders, the move is expected to maximize the center’s visibility and accessibility as a career hub.
Construction is underway on PSU’s second floor and is expected to be completed over the summer.
Dr. Susan McCracken, App State’s director of career development and economic engagement, said the center’s central location will allow for incidental connections and lead to greater use of services available to students.
Career services play an integral role in preparing students to transition from college to employment or enrollment in an advanced degree, McCracken said.
The center’s programming and counseling help students identify their core values, beliefs and skills and use them to articulate relatable career goals; acquire transferable skills and relevant experiences for future professional endeavors; and cultivate professional networks.
“Students will have easy access to scheduled appointments and can drop by the Career Studio for a 10-minute resume review or meet their career coach in the student union’s coffee shop to discuss job search strategies,” McCracken said.
A view of the new Career Development Center space in Appalachian State University's Plemmons Student Union, as of June 24. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Features of the new space:
- Open seating and work areas for students, which allow for physical distancing when necessary.
- Multipurpose space for evening programming and other uses.
- Screens and interview rooms with which students can engage with employers in a professional setting, virtually or in person.
- Centralized access to center staff who facilitate the campus student employment hiring and onboarding process.
- A high-top communal table for use by Career Guides, peer leaders who facilitate Career Studio, from which they can meet with students virtually or in person.
Student feedback supports the center’s move from its current location at the edge of campus.
A close-up of office space in the Career Development Center’s new location in Appalachian State University's Plemmons Student Union, as of June 24. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Junior Kennedy A. Williams, an exercise science major from Raleigh, said she believes the relocation “will be very beneficial.”
“The union is basically a hub for student engagement and is a lot easier to locate. I have confidence that the relocation will bring more traction to the Career Development Center and am excited to see what’s to come,” Williams said.
Employer Mark Crabb of National General Insurance called the upcoming move “very exciting,” adding “App State does more for their students from a career prep standpoint than any other university I have worked with. This investment in your new Career Development Center is a great example of this.”
Learn more about the Career Development Center relocation project.
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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 Student Affairs at App State
Student Affairs at App State supports student success and well-being by fostering a culture of care, inclusion and engagement. Its mission is to develop lifelong learners and dynamic leaders through meaningful experiences that challenge and support students. Grounded in a commitment to care, engage and transform, Student Affairs creates a student-centered environment that encourages resilience, leadership, service and global learning. Student Affairs encompasses the following units: Campus Activities, Case Management, the Child Development Center, Community-Engaged Leadership, Counseling and Psychological Services, Office of the Dean of Students, New Mountaineer and Family Engagement, Off-Campus Student Services, Plemmons Student Union, Student Conduct, M.S. Shook Student Health Service, Student Legal Services, Student Veteran Services, University Recreation, and Wellness and Prevention Services. Learn more at https://studentaffairs.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, 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, cost-effective education. 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.
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