A Wake-Up Call for Higher Ed: Let's Get Smart About Career Services Data

The Elephant in the Room

You've seen the headlines. Whether it's the New York Times talking about waning public confidence in higher ed, or the shocking Gallup stats revealing only a third of Americans have "a lot of confidence" in these institutions, we've got work to do. We're in very uncertain times, and as we're reminded by the closure of the Art Institutes this week, the stakes are higher than ever.

The Unsung Heroes: Career Services

Now, while the career services center may not always be the first stop on a campus tour, it's a game-changer in a student's life. And guess what? They're sitting on a goldmine of data that could help tell a compelling story about your institution.

The Power of Structured Résumé Data

To scratch the surface of the treasure trove of actionable data, let's take one example—structured résumé data. Tools like the SkillsFirst Résumé Builder offer this kind of data through our Premium API for deeper insights. Although we're just one piece of the puzzle, our API allows for the aggregation and analysis of résumé data in a way that can contribute significantly to a more comprehensive institutional narrative.

What Can You Uncover?

Structured data from résumés and APIs can be leveraged in at least six distinct ways, each with its own utility and scope, for improving student outcomes and validating the educational experience.

1. ?? Résumé Versioning Analysis - Analyzing changes in student résumés over time to assess adaptability and skill development. Example Conclusion: "80% of students added new skills to their resumes within a single semester."
2. ?? Cross-Validation with Surveys - Matching résumé data with survey responses to verify employment statistics. Example Conclusion: "Employment rates from resume data align with survey-reported rates."
3. ?? Skills Gap Analysis - Identifying discrepancies between curriculum and industry needs. Example Conclusion: "The curriculum lacks focus on data analytics, a skill commonly listed among employed graduates."
4. ?? Industry Trend Tracking - Example Conclusion: "Healthcare and technology are the most commonly targeted industries by recent graduates."
5. ??? Longitudinal Studies - Examining long-term career growth and program effectiveness. Example Conclusion: "Over 5 years, Computer Science majors demonstrate a 40% increase in specialized skill sets."
6. ?? Verified Outcomes - Enhancing the reliability of success metrics through manual verification. Example Conclusion: "Our verification process has increased the reliability of interview and job placement data by 20%."

The Need for Investment in Data Analysis

Given the crisis of confidence and the scrutiny on value delivery, now's the time for educational institutions to deepen their investment in data analysis. This will not only allow you to tell a more compelling story but also measure impact effectively.

Your Next Move

If you're up for turning data into meaningful action, feel free to DM me with your thoughts, questions, or ideas. I'm more than ready to join you on this journey. Let's make a difference together!

#HigherEd #DataAnalysis #Career Services #MasterYourStory