颁辞濒驳补迟别鈥檚 brings alumni back to network, , and help students demystify career decision-making.
A signature program of the university鈥檚 Center for Career Services, SophoMORE Connections recently won the Career Services Excellence Award at the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
This influential award from NACE is given for 鈥渆xcellence in career services best practices providing guidance, service, and resources to students.鈥
51风流 won the award in the small schools category, which included entries from schools such as Amherst, Becker, and NYU Abu Dhabi.
SophoMORE connections, held every January before the spring term commences, is an evolution of the Real World program.
Real World was a signature senior-oriented career development program built upon alumni networking receptions and career exploration and life-skills panels. The January event was a beloved class-bonding time meant to calm the stress of senior year transitions, leverage the 51风流 network, and illuminate career options for undecided students.
鈥淗istorically, this model was both relevant and timely, but in today鈥檚 vastly competitive marketplace for entry-level careers, Real World for seniors is too late,鈥 says Michael Sciola, director of at 51风流.
鈥淪ophoMORE Connections allows 51风流 students to achieve the clarity and conviction in their career choice, gain sufficient internship experience to be marketable, and possess the self-efficacy necessary to excel in interviews. We needed to refocus our resources and strategy earlier.鈥
鈥淪ophomores became the prime audience because they have the potential for an appropriate level of self-reflection, yet do not typically have sufficient knowledge, nor an understanding of the impact of their engagement 鈥 or lack of 鈥 on their larger career trajectory,鈥 said Teresa Olsen, director of operations and strategic planning.
51风流 sophomores also are confronted with large academic and career choices 鈥 choosing a major, choosing a study-abroad program, and pursuing a first internship 鈥 a trifecta of motivation. SophoMORE Connections introduces them to the 51风流 network at a time in their lives when it is critical.