Students who use their college’s career center for professional development are more likely to land internships and receive more job offers, compared to their peers who do not, according to research by the National Association for Colleges and Employers. But not every student takes advantage of these supports or is aware that they exist.
A May 2024 Student Voice survey by Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab found 33 percent of students have had no experience with the career center or are unfamiliar with its services and staff. Only 11 percent of students said the career center was a popular campus space.
A June 2023 report by Tyton Partners found that while 91 percent of college employees say their institution offers career advising to students, only 53 percent of students said they were aware of career advising at their college.
Clemson University’s Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business has a new feature for students to get career support without ever leaving the business division, thanks to the C-Suite. The C-Suite is a drop-in-style, one-stop shop for career engagement, résumé review and networking advice.
Since launching in fall 2023, the C-Suite has provided opportunities for student, employer and alumni engagement in a safe and casual way, promoting student success and greater conversations regarding career development for all stakeholders.
By the Numbers
Research by the National Association of Colleges and Employers finds colleges and universities have increased their career centers’ budgets over recent years, investing in personnel, office software and guest speaker fees. This is reflected in additional services and supports institutions offer to learners for career development, such as Clemson’s C-Suite.
How it works: The C-Suite is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily for drop-in visits. The website clarifies that while students can expect personal advice and services, there is no professional dress requirement like there would be for other career-focused events. The room is next to a cafe and classrooms, making it accessible for learners.
“The consistency of the C-Suite … and the convenient location are key to its success,” says Lisa Bundrick, director of career engagement at the College of Business. “Students can be so afraid to use our services. We offer a space where they can be vulnerable and feel supported all at the same time.”
Students can get support with their LinkedIn profiles and résumés, receive networking tips and career advice, or have a casual conversation with staff and alumni.
The C-Suite website features a list of questions students can ask professionals when they visit, which can reduce student anxiety and encourage more thoughtful conversations.
A 2021 survey from Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse found the top reasons students don’t have mentors are because they don’t know how to find a mentor or they’re not sure what they would ask a mentor.
The business school hosts various employers in the C-Suite throughout the week, including Cintas, ExecuSource and Deloitte, allowing students to engage with professionals directly. Students can view upcoming C-Suite visitors through the business student Google calendar.
Working collaboratively: Over time, the C-Suite has expanded to include space for student organization recruitment, faculty coffee chats and opportunities to engage with the dean and associate deans, Bundrick says. Fridays are exclusively devoted to global experiences, educating students on study abroad and global internships.
To make the initiative successful, Bundrick has collaborated with faculty members, including creating a weekly PowerPoint slide for professors to display in their classrooms before class starts.
Faculty members can display a PowerPoint slide before the start of class to highlight services and resources at the C-Suite.
Lisa Bundrick/Clemson University
“The PowerPoint highlights and reinforces some of the programming offered by my office that week, including QR codes to sign up for lunch and learns, etiquette dinners and the like,” Bundrick says.
Alumni and employer partners receive a Google doc at the beginning of each semester with a comprehensive list of engagement opportunities for the C-Suite and other programs. Individuals and groups can sign up for slots and plan ahead for the upcoming term, allowing them to be strategic about their visit to the business school and get the most out of their time.
Data collected by staff shows greater engagement among students, employers and alumni due to the launch of the space.
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