The professional world experienced a dramatic transformation in the past year, pushing organizations to rethink traditional operations. The shift towards virtual and hybrid workplaces is not just a temporary adjustment but a fundamental change in how businesses function. Recognizing this evolving landscape, Clark University’s Career Connections Center (CCC) proactively adapted its strategies to ensure students are well-prepared for their future careers. This pivot involved embracing digital platforms and reimagining how students connect with valuable opportunities, particularly within the burgeoning tech sector.
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This adaptation to virtual formats has proven beneficial for both students and employers. Angela Harris, Associate Director of Employer Engagement at Clark’s CCC, notes, “While some recruiters are eager to return to in-person interactions, many employers have recognized the significant advantages of virtual recruiting. It allows them to expand their geographic reach and tap into a more diverse talent pool.” Virtual platforms have empowered the CCC to strengthen existing partnerships and cultivate new relationships with employers who might not have been able to participate in on-campus events. This is especially crucial for students interested in competitive fields like coding and technology, where access to a wide range of opportunities is paramount.
Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in the Virtual Space
Understanding the importance of inclusivity in today’s job market, the CCC prioritized diversity and inclusion throughout its virtual programming in the past academic year. The Innovation, Impact, and Inclusion Fair, held in the fall, exemplified this commitment. This event specifically connected students with organizations actively dedicated to fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces. These employers were also focused on making a meaningful impact in areas such as environmental sustainability and social responsibility, values increasingly important to today’s graduates entering fields like technology and software development.
To further prepare students for navigating these crucial aspects of workplace culture, the CCC hosted the Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace employer panel. This session offered invaluable insights into how students could assess an organization’s genuine commitment to DEI as they embark on their job searches and coding career paths.
The CCC also collaborated with The Office of Multicultural and First Generation Student Support’s ACE Summer Institute and biology faculty to deliver the Making Clark Work for You series. This innovative program was designed to support BIPOC and first-generation students interested in STEM fields, including computer science and related tech disciplines. Furthermore, the CCC’s workshops highlighted employers who actively sponsor international students and provided tailored career strategies for international students, DACA/TPS recipients, and undocumented students, ensuring equitable access to career opportunities for all, including those pursuing careers in coding and technology.
Michelle Flint, Director of Career Development, emphasizes the CCC’s dedication: “This year, we made supporting historically underserved communities a greater priority than ever before. Our aim is to welcome and address the unique needs of every student.” She adds, “I am incredibly proud of these initiatives and look forward to expanding our efforts in the coming year to promote equity and justice through our work.” This commitment is vital in ensuring that the tech industry, known for its innovation, also becomes a leader in diversity and inclusion.
Virtual Career Fairs: Connecting Students with Real-World Opportunities
The CCC’s virtual event calendar was packed throughout the academic year, offering diverse opportunities for students to connect with potential employers. In December, the Psychology Career and Exploration Fair provided a platform for students to explore job and internship opportunities in psychology-related fields. This was followed by the STEM Career and Exploration Fair in the spring semester, which was particularly relevant for students interested in coding, software development, data science, and other technology-driven careers. The final major event was the Just in Time, All Majors Virtual Career Fair, catering to a broad spectrum of students across all disciplines.
Morgan Dufour ’21, a geography major, highlighted the personalized experience offered by the virtual format, stating, “My favorite aspect of the Just in Time, All Majors Virtual Career Fair was the intimate nature of the group sessions and one-on-ones. It allowed me to connect directly with employers and have their undivided attention.” This direct engagement is invaluable for students looking to make a strong impression and learn about specific roles and company cultures, whether they are seeking positions in tech or other sectors.
Pam Brown ’91, Business Manager at Community Software Group, found the STEM event particularly efficient. “The virtual STEM Career and Exploration Fair provided an easy and effective way to connect with students, answer their questions, and assess whether their skills and aspirations aligned with potential interview opportunities.” For employers in the tech industry, virtual fairs offer a streamlined approach to identify promising candidates with the coding, analytical, and problem-solving skills they seek.
Life After Clark: Preparing for Career Success in a Digital World
Beyond career fairs, the CCC’s annual Life After Clark Conference played a crucial role in preparing students for the transition to professional life. The conference featured workshops on essential topics such as Career Design, Strategies for Managing Job Search Anxiety, and Smart Finances After College. By shifting to a virtual four-day format, the CCC significantly expanded the conference’s reach and impact. The virtual format enabled the participation of three times the number of alumni guest panelists and the inclusion of three separate keynote speakers, offering students a wealth of knowledge and perspectives. This exposure is particularly beneficial for students entering competitive fields like tech, where understanding career pathways and industry trends is essential.
In total, 346 unique students participated in virtual career fairs during the 2020–21 academic year, resulting in an impressive 978 unique employer-student connections across all events. Among the 76 participating employers were prominent organizations such as NASA DEVELOP, Verité, Peace Corps, The Key Program, Hanover Insurance Group, eClinicalWorks, American Red Cross, Mass Trial Court, Mass Department of Environmental Protection, Amgen, GBH, Horizon Media, and Mass General Hospital. The diverse range of participating employers underscores the broad applicability of skills gained at Clark University and the appeal of Clark graduates to a variety of sectors, including the increasingly tech-driven landscape across industries.
The Future of Career Development: Embracing a Hybrid Approach
Michelle Flint reflects on the CCC’s comprehensive virtual adaptation: “We successfully transitioned our entire office to a virtual format, offering virtual advising and virtual events almost weekly throughout the year. We also encouraged virtual internships and projects.” Looking ahead, she emphasizes the value of maintaining virtual components. “While we eagerly anticipate in-person interactions with students and the strengthening of human connections, we plan to retain the advantages of virtual programming wherever feasible.”
The CCC intends to continue offering virtual options for key programs like Life After Clark and the ClarkCONNECT Alumni Job Shadow Program. Virtual events featuring alumni and employers who are geographically distant but eager to engage with Clark students will remain a vital part of the CCC’s offerings. This hybrid approach ensures accessibility and flexibility, maximizing opportunities for students regardless of location or circumstance, particularly for those seeking remote tech roles or internships.
The virtual Alumni Job Shadow Program witnessed a remarkable surge in participation, with 109 students applying, representing a 156% increase compared to the previous year. As students faced challenges in securing traditional career opportunities due to internship rescissions and hiring freezes, the virtual job shadow program became a highly sought-after alternative for gaining remote career exploration experiences.
Alumni generously provided remote job shadow opportunities at organizations such as The Bill of Rights Institute, Boston Public Schools, USDA Forest Service, American Cancer Society, and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. The virtual format eliminated geographical limitations, enabling the CCC to involve a larger number of alumni hosts and double the number of participating students. The CCC expresses deep gratitude to the alumni volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise during a challenging year.
Angela Harris concludes, “We are excited to continue virtual programming into the fall 2021 semester and offer a hybrid model that combines the best of both virtual and in-person events. Our goal remains to effectively support students’ career exploration aspirations and connect them with employers and alumni from around the globe.” This forward-thinking approach ensures that Clark University students are well-equipped to navigate the evolving job market and excel in their chosen careers, including the dynamic and ever-changing world of technology and coding.
