Career Centers in US Universities: Phenomenon, principles, functioning
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.28925/2311-2409.2024.423Abstract
The article presents the results of a study of the phenomenon of career centers at US universities, which focuses
on the current directions of their activities, the characteristics of historical employment models, which involve
a higher education institution – a university. The article analyses the fundamental differences and convergences
between these models, identifies the main ways of interaction between the stakeholders in employment:
educational institution, students and employers. The essence of professional self-determination as a component
of personal and professional development is briefly studied. The analysis concludes that the emphasis
in the activities of career centers at US universities has changed from the job placement model (1940–50)
through the career planning model (1960–70) to the networking model (1980–90), which at the present
stage of development is transforming into a liaison model. The conclusion is drawn about the main functions
of career centers of US universities (career guidance; job search; graduate support); typical services (individual
consultations, trainings, job fairs, partnership with employers, online resources) and basic principles of functioning
(individual approach; partnership with employers; use of modern technologies; continuous development).
The purpose of the analysis is to provide an in-depth, conceptual understanding of the purpose and essence
of the activities of career centers at US universities in order to implement positive experience in the practice
of domestic post-secondary education institutions in the process of creating a modern innovative educational
landscape. Despite certain successes of Ukrainian higher education institutions in cooperation with employers,
the problem of graduate employment remains relevant and requires modern approaches, investments, student
engagement, and partnership-based stakeholder interaction. The transformation processes in higher education
in Ukraine, which take place in extreme conditions, require dynamism, innovation, responsibility, ethics, fairness,
and scientific validity
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References
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career-services
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De Vos, A., De Hauw, S., & Van der Heijden, B., I. J. M. (2011). Competency Development and Career
Success. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 79, 438–447 [in English].
https://doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2011.05.010
Fugate, M., Kinicki, A. J., & Ashforth, B. E. (2004). Employability: A psycho-social construct,
its dimensions, and applications. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 65(1), 14–38 [in English].
https://doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2007.06.003
Herr, E. L. (2001). Career Development and Its Practice: A historical perspective. Career Development
Quarterly, 49(3), 196–211 [in English].
Herr, E. L., Rayman, J. R., & Garis, J. (1993). Handbook for the College and University Career Center
[in English].
Holland, J. L. (1992). Making Vocational Choices: A Theory of Vocational Personalities and Work
Environments. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources, 211 р. [in English].
Kretovics, M. A., Honaker, S., Kraning, J. (1999). Career Centers: Changing needs require changing
paradigms. Colorado State University Journal of Student AtTairs Volume VllI, 8, 77 [in English].
Parsons, F. (1909). Choosing a Vocation. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, New York, MA. 165 р. [in English].
Paterson, R. (2017). ‘Because sometimes your failure can also teach you certain skills’: Lecturer and
student perceptions of employability skills at a transnational university. Qualitative Research in Education,
(3), 241–271 [in English].
Link: https://doi:10.17583/qre.2017.2583
Patton, W., McMahon, M. (2014). Career Development and Systems Theory: Connecting theory and
practice (3rd ed). Sense Publishers, 476 p. [in English].
Teal, H. & Herrick, A. (1962). The Fundamentals of College Placement. Bethlehem, P A: College
Placement Council [in English].
Thorndike, E. L. (1913). An Introduction to the Theory of Mental and Social Measurements. Teacher’s
College, Columbia University [in English].
Thorndike, E. L. (1926). The Measurement of Intelligence. Bureau of Publications, Teachers College,
Columbia University, New York [in English].
Van der Heijde, C., & Van der Heijde, B.I.J.M. (2006). A Competence-Based and Multidimensional
Operationalization and Measurement of Employability. Human Resource Management, 45 (3), 449–476
[in English].
https://doi:10.1002/hrm.20119
Vinson, B. M., Reardon, R. C., & Bertoch, S. C. (2014). Career Services at Colleges and Universities:
A 30-Year Replication Study. Journal of College Student Development 55(2), 203–207 [in English].
https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2014.0018
CareerEd Stanford University. [in English].
https://careered.stanford.edu/
Center for Career & Professional Development in University of South Florida. [in English].
Center for Career & Professional Development University of South Florida. [inj English].
https://www.usf.edu/career-services
Harvard University. [in English].
The Mignone Center for Career Success Harvard University. [in English].
