Mission, Vision, & Assessment

The team at the Career Design Center is committed to continuous improvement via a comprehensive program of assessment and evaluation, which is ongoing. The assessment strategy in place at the Center is designed to:

evaluate each major program offering;
utilize satisfaction surveys;
gather first destination data for all graduates regarding employment and continuing education;
benchmark trends, opportunities, and challenges;
effectively prepare for each accreditation review; and
provide support and data for colleges, national associations, and key constituents.

This strategy is accomplished through qualitative and quantitative data gathering, which is used for program review and corrective action. An annual retreat is held in which all assessment data is reviewed by the entire Center team to celebrate successes and identify areas for continuous improvement. Furthermore, all staff is involved in state, regional, and national associations in order to benchmark with peer institutions.

Beginning with the intake process though the satisfaction survey, students’ goals are supported by the programming, advising, coaching, events, and services offered. Outcomes are ultimately determined by ensuring students leave with a complete bundle of skills that enable them to successfully develop lifelong job search skills.

Mission Statement

The Career Design Center empowers all students to design their career paths through university-wide career education, employer engagement and access to experiential learning, and post-graduation opportunities.

Vision Statement

To bring career education and opportunities to every USU student before graduation. Students/alumni are encouraged to visit early and often as they:

explore careers and majors that align with thier values, interests, skills, personality, and goals;
engage in activities to prototype career options and progress in career development; and
design their career plan and take action in building their way forward.

This programming is accomplished through a balanced, high-tech, high-touch environment with highly trained professionals and student career peers.

Goals and Learning Outcomes

The team at the Center works hard to be responsive to the career development and success of students and the employers who hire them. Center goals are developed around each of the three developmental and career goals of students/alumni. As a result of participating and engaging in university programs promoting career readiness, students will be able to…

Explore

Gather self-knowledge regarding skills, values, interests, personality, strengths, and culture
Utilize career resources to research fields of study, job families, occupational outlook, and qualifications
Reflect upon work and life views and how they align with major/career information
Understand how to use and the importance of prototyping to further learn about major/career options
Brainstorm and begin to design multiple great career and life paths

Engage

Develop the basic skills, etiquette, and cultural awareness necessary to be effective in the workplace
Formulate strategies for designing prototyping activities
Evaluate how engagement in prototyping activities (i.e., job shadowing, informational interviews, service-learning, internships, student organization involvement, etc.) relates to designing career and life paths
Practice skills and abilities related to each of the NACE Career Readiness Competencies through engagement inside and outside the classroom
Identify and participate in various networking activities (i.e., career fairs, information sessions, Aggie Network, LinkedIn, etc.)
Integrate self-knowledge with major/career options to craft flexible, short-term career goals that can be adapted as situations change

Launch

Utilize resources, tools, and techniques for obtaining post-graduation opportunities (i.e., employment, education, service)
Articulate personal values, skills, and abilities related to each of the NACE Career Readiness Competencies
Build a network with an understanding of the value of connection in professional life
Demonstrate effective communication skills for the interviewing process (i.e., elevator pitch, interviews, negotiations, etc.)
Prepare tailored application documents for specific industries and positions (i.e., resumes, cover letters, personal statements, emails, etc.)

Foundational Documents

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) provides relevant resources for training of new career counselors, principles of conduct, and first destination data in addition to other resources.

During the summer of 2016, Career Services (now called the Career Design Center) completed an internal self-study in which the department examined the center’s: mission & history, goals, programs/services, staffing & training/development, budget, facilities, technology/equipment, ethical considerations, completion/retention, and assessment.

Assessment Plan/Matrix 2017-2018

Goals (Objectives and Learning Outcomes)	Assessment Tool (Criteria)	Data Source Documentation	Timeline	Responsible Persons	Map to Division Goals
Explore Major & Careers 1) Implement Designing Your Life (DYL) curriculum 2) Examine 'lift' from career exploration process and/or class	Survey Learning Analytics via AIS	All students attending DYL workshops Class lists or check-in module	Summer/Fall 2017 Fall 2017	Jillian M. Suzanne S.	Goals 2 & 8 Goals 1 & 2
Student Employment & Internships 1) Assess implementation of Aggie Handshake	Survey	Aggie Handshake	Spring 2018	Dannon L.	Goals 1 & 2
Tests & Graduate School Prep 1) Assess use of Center programs by graduate students	Data review	CSO**	Fall 2017	GA Peers	Goals 1 & 2
Secure & Succeed in Careers 1) Gather First Destination data 2) Increase on-campus recruiting 5% 3) Career Fairs, student/alumni & employers 4) On-campus recruiting	Survey Data review Survey Survey	Banner (all graduates) The Center Annual Report 2014,15,16 All Attendees All recruiters	3, 9, 12 months, post graduation 2017-2018 Each event Each semester	Krystn C. Jan L. Sophie B. Jan L.	Goals 2 & 8 Goal 8 Goal 1 Goal 1

Assessment Plan/Matrix 2016-2017

Goals (Objectives and Learning Outcomes)	Assessment Tool (Criteria)	Data Source Documentation	Timeline	Responsible Persons	Map to Division Goals
Explore Major & Careers 1) Assess effectiveness of PSY 1220	Data Review	Data in Banner	Spring 2017	Career Peer	Goal 3
Student Employment & Internships 1) Identify and assess new job posting/networking tools to replace CSO	Vendor Search	Vendor Presentations	2016-2017	Dannon L.	Goals 1 & 6
Tests & Graduate School Prep 1) Assess the impact of changing math placement exam on departmental budget	Data review from budget	Budgets	Fall 2016	Eric J.	Goals 2 & 8
Secure & Succeed in Careers 1) Gather First Destination data 2) Satisfaction survey 3) Career Fairs, students/alumni & employers 4) On-campus recruiting	Survey Survey Survey Survey	Banner (all graduates) All users of the Center via check-in module All Attendees All recruiters	3, 9, 12 months, post graduation Spring 17 Each event Each semester	Krystn C. Jan L. Sophie B. Jan L.	Goals 2 & 8 Goals 1 & 3 Goal 1 Goal 1

Outcomes Data

Data gathered from a variety of sources and methods in linked below in order to provide context for the continuous improvement occurring at the Career Design Center. Data from ‘First Destination Surveys’ is contained in each annual report and is available for students, faculty, and employers in various locations on the Career Design Center website.

Annual & Graduate Report,2015-2016
Annual & Graduate Report,2014-2015
Annual & Graduate Report,2013-2014
Math Placement Change Review, spring 2016
Psychology 1220 Career & Life Planning, Review, fall 2017 - [In Process]
Satisfaction Surveys, spring, 2017 - [In Process]
Satisfaction Surveys, spring, 2015 - [In Process]
Career Fair Surveys, 2017-2018
Career Fair Surveys, 2016-2017
On-campus Recruiting Survey, 2016-2017

Continuous Improvement

Once completed and reviewed by key team members, areas of improvement and/or successes are highlighted below each report heading.

Annual & Graduate Report,2015-2016
Annual & Graduate Report,2014-2015
Annual & Graduate Report,2013-2014
Math Placement Change Review, spring 2016
Psychology 1220 Career & Life Planning, Review, fall 2017 - [In Process]
Satisfaction Surveys, spring, 2017 - [In Process]
Satisfaction Surveys, spring, 2015 - [In Process]
Career Fair Surveys, 2017-2018
Career Fair Surveys, 2016-2017
On-campus Recruiting Survey, 2016-2017