The Career Influencers Network at George Mason University empowers faculty and staff to provide career development support to students throughout their academic journey. The network is open to instructors, advisors, success coaches, supervisors, and any others across campus who are positioned to help students achieve their professional goals.
University Career Services hosted a reception in early October honoring the network’s 10th anniversary. The network started in 2015 with 19 members, and it has now grown to include more than 500 faculty and staff.
The network exemplifies George Mason’s approach to preparing career-ready graduates.
“The Career Influencers Network was the beginning of a ‘career ecosystem’ or ‘career everywhere’ approach,” said Saskia Campbell, executive director of University Career Services. “Preparing career-ready graduates is not confined to one office; it’s a shared responsibility of every faculty and staff member.”
The Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education (ACE) has named George Mason to the highest tier of its list of Opportunity Colleges and Universities: Higher Access, Higher Earnings, in recognition of the university’s commitment to accessibility, return on investment, and upward mobility. Positive, high-earning career outcomes contribute to that recognition.
Career Influencers offer students job-search advice, refer them to career advising, promote employer recruitment efforts at George Mason, and share career resources with students.
“Campus partners have helped students connect the dots between their academic experiences or on-campus jobs and their professional futures—and that is transformative,” Campbell said.
The Career Influencers Network has garnered national attention—other institutions reach out for guidance to replicate its success on their own campuses. George Mason’s network has been highlighted by organizations supporting career services in higher education, including the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
The network’s ability to reach students wherever they are has been instrumental to its success.
“It’s a common challenge many career services offices face: how to serve a large student population with limited staff and resources,” said Kristin Leonato, associate director of programs and outreach in University Career Services. “Utilizing career services is optional and not a required part of a degree program. The network allows us to connect with campus partners who students already know and trust.”
To join the network, faculty and staff participate in an interactive, 4.5-hour training covering topics like career readiness, how employers recruit George Mason students, and strategies to support students at various stages of their career development.
Engagement with the network does not end with the initial training. Career Influencers receive ongoing support from University Career Services, including workshops on related topics and monthly updates on career-related events and services.
The 10th anniversary event included words of appreciation from Campbell and Rose Pascarell, vice president of University Life, who presented two awards recognizing faculty and staff contributions to the Career Influencers Network.
Erin McSherry, assistant dean in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), received the Star Recruiter Award for having referred the most new members to the network. About 50% of the faculty and staff in the network are referred by a colleague or supervisor.
Larry Guerin, adjunct faculty in the Criminology, Law, and Society Department within CHSS, received the Outstanding Influencer Award for demonstrating the impact career influencers can make on students’ personal and professional lives.
“It takes a strong network of committed professionals to support students in achieving their short-term and long-term professional goals in a wide range of career fields,” said Leonato. “The more than 500 faculty and staff in the Career Influencers Network are an important part of this work.”