coaching and consulting
for college career centers

Career center leaders are under pressure to deliver results and ROI for families, and the stakes have never been higher:

  • Only 36% of students who used campus career services were satisfied, according to a recent Inside Higher Ed survey

  • WSJ  reports that 75% of Human Resources leaders say college graduates are underprepared for the workforce, and

  • Entry-level hiring is down 17% since 2019, while applicants per job have surged by 30%

  • Colleges that prioritize career outcomes are being recognized as "New Ivies," attracting more tuition dollars and applicants, especially as traditional college-age students enrollment hit a cliff this year.

The disconnect between what companies expect and what students are prepared to deliver is costing institutions rankings, revenue, and reputation. Leading career development teams are seeking strategic partners who can help meaningfully shift the tide, and do so quickly.

the challenge:

agence for institutions:

I partner with career centers and professional development programs to enhance their existing strategies and help close the gap between what employers expect and what students are prepared to deliver on day one of work.

services include:

1. CONSULTING FOR CAREER CENTERS
I help you modernize your approach, from updating your programming to training your staff on what employers actually want right now. We'll assess where you are, identify gaps, and build a roadmap for improvement.

2. STUDENT COACHING (1:1 AND GROUP)
Whether they're pursuing traditional paths (consulting, finance, tech) or non-traditional ones (e.g., startups, entrepreneurship), I meet students where they are and lean in on the durable skills (communication, ownership, proactivity, managing up, etc.) that make a difference, especially in the age of AI.

3. OUTBOUND MARKETING AND ENGAGEMENT
I help you increase utilization of career services through targeted outreach and engagement strategies. This means getting more students through your doors, improving visibility of what you're already doing, and influencing the rankings  that matter for prospective students and families.

With 15+ years bridging colleges and employers, I bring the fresh hiring and readiness perspective that many career centers lack and teach Gen Z students how to get hired while speaking their language.

Engagements range from one-time strategy workshops to multi-year partnerships.

the results:

Students leave with clarity, confidence, and a plan. They know how to position themselves, navigate interviews, and standout in a competitive job market.

Institutional clients receive a committed thought and execution partner, and achieve:

  • Improved career outcomes for students

  • Higher satisfaction ratings and utilization of with career services, and deliver

  • Stronger tuition ROI promise for parents and students, which can translate to incremental enrollment and matriculation gains in 1-2 years
Since 2010, I've worked with 2- and 4-year institutions to bridge the gap between postsecondary education and job readiness. 

  • Led initiatives that increased enrollment by thousands of students per year, 

  • Embedded skills certificates into institutions and State Departments of Education/Boards of Regents, and 

  • Created alumni and working adult programming with stellar engagement and  program participation rates.

I've led campus recruiting and hiring from the employer side at industry leaders like Bain & Company, Guild, and Google's Career Certificates team, and developed coaching expertise through Management Leadership for Tomorrow and the Co-Active Training Institute.

credentials:

Student
Experience feedback

Verbatims from mid-point survey (2023 -  Junior year cohort, var. institutions)
                 
"Coach AU is always supportive while also being honest. She will tell you how it is and this has been the most impactful and necessary feedback I need at times."
 

"My coach went above and beyond to help me with my personal and professional life. In the midst of looking for internships and figuring out career opportunities I was trying to transfer schools. Adanna helped me prioritize the programs that matched my career goals. I appreciate her guidance and support immensely."


"Best coach ever! She has been such a large help in motivating me in interview prep, and she has become someone I work hard to make really proud. Like the mentor I never had making sure I am following the career path of my dreams. She has become my role model! I love her."


"Adanna is a PHENOMENAL coach! She has supported me in receiving major scholarships and job opportunities, and has provided amazing advice and insight. I’ve always struggled with time management, communication, and follow-through, and Coach AU has been extremely helpful and supportive in keeping me accountable and helping me improve on my weaknesses. She has cultivated a space where I can flourish and really grow as a student and professional."


"Love that woman!"
  

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