How Career Services and Admissions Collaborate at Binghamton University (feat. Lexie Avery and Melissa Lawson)

Lexie Avery and Melissa Lawson of Binghamton University share how career services and admissions collaborate to recruit, retain, and support students with career development—before they even step foot on campus. Lexie, the Senior Associate Director of Student Engagement and Career Readiness, and Melissa, the Director of Admissions Communications, have worked closely together for years and built a strong partnership between the career center and admissions.Here are a few key ways the two offices collaborate:The career center participates in admitted student events, exposing students to career services before they even begin classes.Career services provides messaging to campus tour guides to equip them to effectively discuss career services offerings—plus the career center is always a stop on tours.Speaking of tour guides, the career center also provides professional development to campus tour guides, particularly around interviewing, hiring, and training their peers. When admissions brings high school guidance counselors to campus, career services participates to share information on career outcomes, experiential learning, and what makes Binghamton different.Similarly, a career services staff member also occasionally travels with admissions counselors to out-of-state recruitment events to speak on career resources, outcomes, and what Binghamton can provide that other schools can’t.Admissions and career services coordinate marketing messaging and programming for incoming students, including a two-credit online summer career exploration course.The two offices also regularly share data and insights. For example, career services shares First Destination Survey data and other outcomes and engagement data to help admissions tell a stronger story to prospective students and their families. And admissions shares survey data from incoming students to help the career center understand incoming student interests and expectations around career preparation.The partnership has contributed to strong enrollment and retention and early career engagement from Binghamton students. Win-win!Resources from the episode:Lexie’s LinkedIn profileMelissa’s LinkedIn profileBinghamton’s virtual career center Continue the conversation in the Career Everywhere Community! Join 2,000 other higher ed career services leaders today: careereverywhere.com/community