As career support centers develop, workforce connections become a critical part to its development. This will require career support specialist, department faulty, and alumni to expand its connections to relevant career fields. In time, workforce recruiters will reach out to promote their company and jobs. In this section, identifying university connection is of highest priority to enhance student employment opportunities. 

Career support specialists serve as the frontline to recruiters. It is their job to highlight the university programs and student's education and desirable work skills. This action signals potential recruiters and employers. 

Here are ways to connect recruiters to universities: 

• Share information about university programs 

• Offer recruiting opportunities:

  • Virtual Career Fairs

  • Career Focus Fairs

  • On-Campus Interviews

Information provided by the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs: Career Education and Professional Advancement

Connecting with university alumni is a great way to jumpstart workforce connections. Alumni assist in connecting universities to a wide variety of networks. They help make valuable connections, offer expert advice, and introduce prospective employers. 

Networking is:

• An exchange of information or services 

• Getting the help you need

• Building and maintaining relationships before you need them

• Helping/mentoring others

• Genuine and authentic

Networking is not: 

• As difficult as it seems

• Asking for a job

• Bothering or pestering someone

• Expecting something as a result of a connection 

For further understanding, please visit Indiana State University Career Center's Networking Guide. 

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has identified 8 core competencies that company recruiters want college students to have mastered prior to being hired in their organizations.

8 Core Competencies:

1. Career-Development

2. Self-Development 

3. Professionalism

4. Equity

5. Inclusion

6. Teamwork

7. Communication

8. Career Management

For further understanding, please visit Indiana State University Career Center's Networking Guide. 

N.A. (2020). Networking Guide. Indiana State University Career Center. https://www.indstate.edu/sites/default/files/media/career-center/pdfs/networking-guide-2021-updated-with-new-nace-competencies_0.pdf

https://oneillcareerhub.indiana.edu/channels/campus-recruiting-opportunities/