The Office of Career Planning and the LIFETIMES CENTER was housed in the basement of the Chapel and staffed by a director, an associate director and an assistant to the director in the fall of 1990. With the resignation of the associate director in December 1990, the office finished the academic year with only two staff members. In the fall of 1991, a career counselor was hired on a part-time basis. In 1992-93, the assistant to the director position was changed to a part-time (20 hours/ week) placement coordinator and a part-time (20 hours/week) secretary/receptionist. In the fall of 1995, with the resignation of the director, the career counselor was promoted to full-time acting director and another part-time career counselor was hired. (Career Services binder in Co-Curricular Life Office)

In 1995-96, the office name was changed to the Career Services Center. The Career Services Center web site was developed and the initial use of the Internet became a useful job search tool for the graduating seniors. In May of 1996, the Career Services Center was moved from the basement of the Chapel to the 2^nd floor of Gray. Because of the additional space allotted to the office, the Center established a media center separate from the library. The expanded space for the media center allowed the Center to make additional computers and typewriters available to the student body. (CS binder in CCL Office)

During 1996-97, the Center had two special part-time staff members: Publications Editor (9 hours) and the Special Assistant to the Dean of Academic Advising. This additional staff allowed the Center to increase the quality of the web site, the monthly newsletter and student awareness of the importance of internships. (CS binder in CCL Office)

The newly acquired TV/VCR unit allowed students to view videotapes on job search and interview techniques as well as promotional tapes from graduate/professional schools and potential employers. The new camcorder allowed the Center staff to increase the use of video taped mock interviews from once or twice a term to as often as student requests were received.

In the fall of 1997, the acting director resigned and a coordinator of career services was hired. The director of the Alumnae office was named as the Interim Director until the spring term of 1998, when the new dean of Co-Curricular Life joined the college. In the fall of 1997, the placement coordinator moved from part-time (20 hours/week) to three-quarter time (30 hours/week) and added the duties of internship coordinator. Following the resignation of the secretary/receptionist in the fall, the Center had several individuals from a temporary agency. (CS binder in CCL Office)

In July 1998, a new director joined the Center. The part-time position of Placement/Internship Coordinator was eliminated and a new full-time position of Office Manager/Secretary was established.

At this time the Center’s web site was greatly expanded. The Center started moving from a paper-based operation to an electronic mode by using email and web page announcements. The concept of the Career Services four-year plan of self-assessment, exploration, planning and lifetime application for student career development came into being. The Center began work on establishing the Web Portfolio concept. The director instituted a new program in Corporate Etiquette. (CS binder in CCL Office)

In May 1999, the coordinator of career services resigned. By July 1999, a new coordinator of career services was hired. The new web site was launched in the fall with the added component of the Co-Curricular Web Portfolio.

During December 1999, the director left on a medical leave. During the spring term of 2000, the Coordinator of Career Services was named as the Assistant Director for Career Services.

Section 5.4.3.1. Proposal 1: The College commits sufficient resources to the Career Services Center to assure adequate staffing. Once a new Director of Career Services is hired, the implementation of the Four-Year Plan should be made a high priority.

IMPLEMENTATION: An Advisory Group was formed by the Dean of Co-Curricular Life in September 2000, to assist in a review of Career Services and to act in an Advisory capacity to the Dean and to Career Services. Following the Advisory Group‘s recommendation, Career Services is being restructured to help facilitate a successful Director job search. Once a new Director of Career Services is hired, implementation of the Four-Year Plan will proceed.