Furman University’s career services staff earned an award from NACE for career services excellence. From left: Michael Mace, Ginny Hughes, Jennifer Stoner, Lauren Payne, Kristin Irwin, Rebecca Marion-Flesch and Jaret Phillips.
Furman University’s Malone Center for Career Engagement won a Career Services Excellence Award from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
NACE recognized the Malone Center’s Assistant Vice President of Career and Professional Development Lauren Payne and Director of Career Education Kristin Irwin as among “the very best in career services and early talent recruiting.”
Malone Center Director of Career Education Kristin Irwin, right, shared career readiness information with English major Kristen Gainey ’27 at the LockeDIN event April 30 on the Joseph Vaughn Plaza. Photo by Owen Withycombe, Furman University.
From a student’s first moments on campus, they’re immersed in the Pathways Program, a two-year advising program that helps them transition to college and develop a plan for their academic and career goals. During the junior and senior year, the Malone Center partners with academic departments to provide discipline-specific career support to meet students’ unique needs.
NACE recognized Furman’s efforts “to intentionally integrate career readiness and preparation into the academic experience in a way that would ensure all students think intentionally about their developing skill sets,” said Lauren Payne, assistant vice president of career and professional development. Students are empowered to consider potential career paths early in their undergraduate studies, engaging with relevant experiential learning opportunities, such as undergraduate research or internships.
Furman’s approach has demonstrated results: In the Class of 2024, 98% of students reported they were employed or enrolled in a graduate program within six months of graduation, up from 95% in 2018, and 96% of students were satisfied with their employment plans, up from 93% in 2019.
“It’s so exciting to see Furman recognized for the work that we have done to integrate career preparation throughout the Pathways Program and Purposeful Pathways, and ensure our students graduate ready to pursue meaningful careers,” Payne said.