Preparing Students for More than their First Job

Brian H. Mendenhall, Senior Associate Director of Career Education & STEM, Wake Forest University

The Most Formative Experience that Shaped My Approach to Preparing Students

My involvement in developing a program for Hanes Magnet School in 2014 earned the ITEEA Program of Excellence Award and earned Hanes the number one magnet school in the country.

• This recognition solidified my belief in the power of well-integrated academic and practical learning models.

• This experience aligns with my current work at Wake Forest University, where my team and I focus on building a program that aligns personal and academic growth with meaningful career preparation.

• My attraction to institutions with a holistic view of student development (academically, personally and professionally) also underpins the approach.

Aligning Programs with Academic Rigor and Workforce Needs

We try to ensure Wake Forest University's students align with real-world workforce needs through a multi-faceted approach centered on lifelong adaptability and connecting technical skills with broader competencies:

• Focus on Adaptability and Lifelong Learning: Programs move beyond a "find a job" model to emphasize adaptability, teaching students "how to learn" and to become lifelong learners capable of evolving as industries change.

• Integrating Core Competencies: We ensure students can connect their technical knowledge with business strategy, ethics, communication and collaboration, recognizing that technical skills alone are insufficient.

• Data-Driven Advising: We collect and analyze real-time data from industry partners, employer feedback and alumni outcomes to keep advice "grounded in current industry needs."

• Real-World Practice: Students participate in real-world environments through research and internships to build and refine competencies in a high-stakes setting.

• Embedded Advisors: Advisors spend time embedded directly within academic departments to ensure seamless collaboration with faculty and better integration of career services into the overall student experience.

Integrating Digital Tools and Data Insights

Our team integrates digital tools, platforms and data insights to enhance career education and STEM outcomes in several ways:

“Move beyond listing skills; focus on providing real-world environments (internships, co-ops) where students can practice and reflect on essential competencies and teach them how to articulate their experiences effectively.”

• Advisor Proficiency: Advisors are required to become proficient with new tools such as artificial intelligence (AI).

• Leveraging Career Platforms: They use career platforms and digital tools to track student engagement and progress, personalize resources and scale support efficiently.

• Real-Time Data Analysis: We collect and analyze real-time data from students, industry partners, employer feedback and alumni outcomes, which inform our advising strategies.

Challenges and Overcoming Strategies

How our team addresses the core difficulties inherent in a rapidly evolving job market.

• Rapidly Evolving STEM Job Market (risk of static advising) – In the early 2000’s we shifted to a holistic career development philosophy focusing on personal/professional growth and preparing students for lifelong adaptability by teaching them how to learn.

• Need for Soft Skills in Technical Fields – We focus on practicing and reflecting on essential skills (communication, leadership, adaptability) and teach students to effectively communicate their experiences through storytelling (e.g., how they led a team).

• Ensuring Access to Opportunities- The team is composed of professionals trained in counseling and cultural competency, working in close partnership with other campus services and departments to create an ecosystem of support and we actively create resources tailored to all students.

• Staying Ahead of the Curve in a Dynamic Industry- We cultivating a mindset of curiosity and openness, engaging with leaders across industries, attending innovative events and experimenting with new advising tools or workshop formats.

Advice for Aspiring Leaders

I would say this to aspiring leaders in higher education and career services should:

• Adopt a Holistic Development Philosophy: Focus equally on personal and professional development, preparing students not just for their first job but for lifelong adaptability and success.

• Integrate and Embed Services: Don't operate in isolation. Embed advisors directly within academic departments to ensure seamless collaboration with faculty and integration into the overall student experience.

• Stay Future-Ready and Innovative: Cultivate a mindset of curiosity and openness by consistently reading industry reports and engaging with leaders. Be willing to test new ideas and experiment with new tools and program formats.

• Prioritize Student-Centric Design: Use design thinking principles and leverage student and employer feedback to continuously iterate and refine services to ensure they remain relevant and student-centric.

• Focus on Practical Competency: Move beyond listing skills; focus on providing real-world environments (internships, research) where students can practice and reflect on essential competencies and teach them how to articulate their experiences effectively.

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