Executive Director's Philosophy

 

Dear Campus and Industry Stakeholders,

My philosophy on career development is simple. It’s focused on students and alumni entering the workforce through employment or entrepreneurship. However, my approach and success metrics are unique and are what help SDSU stand apart from other career centers in higher education. My philosophy encompasses workforce and economic development and has a foundation of three focus areas:

• Innovation
• Student and industry connections
• Employment outcomes

Innovation

Career centers must move at the speed of industry. We are the bridge between academia and the workforce. In order to stay relevant, we must continuously reinvent ourselves, integrate technology and other developments into all that we do. This includes embracing technology that may include artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality, augmented reality and potential concepts like a metaverse that connect job seekers to employers.

Student and Industry Connections

Industry drives the workforce and is a critical stakeholder in determining how best to prepare students for the jobs of today and the future. Our activities and models are intentional in making sure that industry is part of all we do. We must offer a diverse and robust menu of services that connects students with industry stakeholders year round.

Employment Outcomes

Career centers must be accountable to employment outcomes. This concept is unique for my office when comparing us to other university career centers. It is my belief that career centers must measure their success based on their ability to transition their students and alumni into employment. This comes in the form of work opportunities such as internships, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, employment and more.

My approach to these pillars is one that is collaborative with the campus and external communities. We leverage institutional and external partnerships and resources with the lens of workforce and economic development. It takes a global and technological community to prepare a workforce. That is why we will design student and industry networks domestically and around the globe through innovative programming and technology with the sole purpose of meeting key performance indicators (KPIs) focused on employment.

I look forward to working with all of you as we forge new pathways to the workforce of tomorrow.

Regards,