Career Center Receives 2023 Innovation Award

Seton Hall is increasingly recognized as a top university for students who land a job in their chosen field and participate in undergraduate internships. Based on the National Association of Colleges and Employers 2022 First Destination Survey, 98.5% of 2022 Seton Hall graduates were employed within six months of graduation. The 2022 graduate school acceptance rate was 98%, with an overall success rate of 98.5%. The data is based on 1,284 graduating seniors from 2022. Career status information resulted in an 88% response rate. The upcoming 2023 report shows similar results.

The mission of the Career Center is to empower Seton Hall students and alumni to achieve their full potential in their careers. The Career Center is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all programs and services. It strives to provide personalized guidance and resources that are inclusive and accessible to all, supporting our community in their career exploration, job search and ongoing professional development.

In 2023, the Career Center received the Division of Student Services Innovation Award, recognizing a department that actively works to reimagine its services to meet evolving student needs. Examples of  innovative approaches are implementing new technology platforms, redesigning or instituting a new procedure or system, or employing resources to increase the quality of services.

Divisional members expressed that thoughtful campus partnerships, engaging career fair programs and integration of HandShake and Pirate's Closet are notable innovations that benefit the student experience. 

Jorge Rivera, director of the Career Center, stated, "I am passionate about helping our students to maximize their talents and skills and gain diverse and invaluable work experiences. Everything our team does prepares our students for their careers and the greater purpose of developing into innovative leaders. Being recognized for this award is a testament to our forward-thinking mindset.  Delivering services to our students, campus partners and external stakeholders innovatively will foster new opportunities and place the Career Center as a leader among its peers."

Students also showed appreciation for their Career Center experience. Recent graduate Jessica Moran '22 interned as an audit associate at the accounting firm KPMG as a senior at Seton Hall. "I got to interact with a wide range of audit professionals, which helped me with my networking and communication skills," Moran said. She shared that the Career Center's services and events were crucial in helping her land her internship, "I also learned a great deal about collaboration, technical accounting skills, and knowledge of working with clients across three different industries."

On March 11, 2024, Vice President Monica Burnette, Ph.D., interviewed Career Center team members on their recognition. Along with Director Jorge Rivera, team members included Associate Director Justin Krauss, Assistant Directors Nadia Sanon and Christine Milano, and Coordinator Bria Pender. 

What are three words to describe the mission of The Career Center? 
Jorge: Impactful, inclusive, and intentional 
Nadia: Supportive, collaborative, inclusive
Christine: Empowering, inclusive, resourceful

What do you find most rewarding about working in The Career Center? 
Bria: Working in the Career Center gives me the opportunity to lead students on a path to their future by offering the tools they need to succeed.
Nadia: The Career Center provides a safe space for students to share and express their concerns about their future goals or aspirations. I enjoy assisting these students in finding their purpose and encouraging them that their career path may not be a straight line. They will experience many curves, and it may appear that they will not reach where they want to, but with discipline and dedication, they will get there.
Justin: The ability to assist students and alums with identifying and achieving career goals. 
Christine: The opportunity to empower our students to reach their greatest potential, especially those taking the first steps to explore career paths, through our various services, including career advisement, workshops, programs and events. Working with our dedicated employer partners and alums is exciting, and building and delivering tailored programs and events provides our students with opportunities to develop their career readiness skills and broaden their professional network.

What does it mean to you for the Career Center to be recognized for this award?
Nadia: It means that we are moving in the right direction. All organizations need to change, and being willing to take the risk of trying new approaches to aid students is exciting.
Justin: It is great to have some of the great initiatives that we have offered students and alumni over the past year highlighted.
Christine: This award means the Career Center remains aligned with the needs of our students and delivers creative ways to allow our students to access resources and opportunities to grow professionally.
Bria: To be selected for this award means we are doing our part by providing students with the best service and opportunities and continuing to grow with the world around us.

What are some future initiatives in the Career Center? 
• Fall 2024 Podcast Internship – The "Conversations" Podcast Internship aims to engage students in a professional, collaborative, and insightful journey through conversations with Seton Hall University alumni, campus partners and employers. 
• Collaborate with the Office of International Programs (OIP) to strengthen partnerships with local, national and international employers. 
• Offer opportunities for students to gain industry-valued credentials (e.g., Google certificate, AI certificate).
• More industry-focused career fairs for the Spring 2024 semester (e.g., Creative Connections Career Fair on March 21). 
• Advancing technology through AI (virtual interviewing).

How can one learn more about The Career Center?
To learn more about our events, programs and services, career resources, and team, please visit the Career Center's webpage here. In addition, students and employers can visit us on the second floor of Bayley Hall or Instagram @careercentershu. The dedicated Career Advisors would be able to share the services we provide. Students can also schedule an appointment with their career advisor through Compass.

Categories: Campus Life, Education