The Office of Career Services Congratulates Spring 2023 Faculty Career Champions
Professors Nauri Ahmed (WO-Accounting) and Zulma Westney (AN-Math, Science, Engineering) have gone above and beyond in their collaboration with NOVA’s Office of Career Services, and we would like to recognize their efforts on behalf of their students. Congratulations and thank you!
Please see these wonderful advocates’ responses below to a recent interview we conducted. If you are interested in learning more about how Career Services can assist you and your students, please contact us at novacareerservices@nvcc.edu.
Professor Nauri Ahmed:
How have you collaborated with NOVA Career Services to embed career-related topics and/or assignments into your course(s)?
I have worked with NOVA Career Services to promote career planning, resume writing, job and internship fairs, the guaranteed interview program and in using the career connection system. When I receive emails from employers about jobs and internships, I forward these to our career services staff to post to the NOVA community. Our curriculum advisory board members also have opportunities to post jobs and internships in the career connection system.
How have your students benefited from your collaboration with NOVA Career Services?
I think my students have found NOVA Career Services to be of real value in their career planning and search for part-time jobs and internships. Having career services experts speak to students has been very effective in explaining services and offering handouts and guides. In particular, the Focus 2 Career Planning System helps students identify and/or confirm how their interests align with various career fields. Students can save time and money by enrolling in educational programs that match their career interests. I think the motivational level of students to do well in their courses and degree programs increases when they feel comfortable with their selected educational path.
What advice would you give to other faculty seeking to collaborate with Career Services and model what you have been able to do in your course(s) for your students?
Invite career services staff to speak to your students each semester so they can take advantage of the vast array of services they offer. I use “promotion” as my model or method. I promote Focus 2, resume writing, job fairs and use of the career connection system. I also post job fair and career information in my Canvas courses.
Professor Zulma Westney:
How have you collaborated with NOVA Career Services to embed career-related topics and/or assignments into your course(s)?
As a faculty member, I have successfully used the NOVA career services resources, the process for career development and workshops to achieve the course objectives. In the syllabus, I embedded the career services workshops and resources. I aligned the specific course topics to those of career services by focusing on developing the effective intra- and inter-personal skills needed for a business organization. Each assigned workshop or assignment had a point value and was part of the student’s grade.
How have your students benefited from your collaboration with NOVA Career Services?
My students have benefited tremendously from this model. During the course, they could practice with different tools, listen to subject matter experts’ and industry leaders’ advice on understanding their communication style better, adapt to others’ styles and formulate a plan for increased listening efficiency. Also, through the career services’ resources, my students were able to develop a solid understanding of possible careers, job search skills, the importance of networking and practice their interviewing skills. My students built an advanced knowledge of non-verbal communication, prepared their five-year plan, developed persuasive self-presentation and collected a knowledge base of techniques to mediate and diffuse conflicts in the business world. This has been a WIN-WIN.
What advice would you give to other faculty seeking to collaborate with Career Services and model what you have been able to do in your course(s) for your students?
My advice, or rather a question to the rest of the faculty is, What are you waiting for to use career services fully? The Office of Career Services is very knowledgeable and willing to help you and our students succeed. As a faculty member, I found an outstanding partner in career services, and you can do the same. Please do not wait!
Submitted by:
Brent Via, Assoc. Director of Career Planning & Development, BVia@nvcc.edu