Making the Case for Assessment

"Running a career services program without conducting assessments of operations and services can be risky." So opens the article, Key Aspects of Career Centre Assessment, in today's NACE Spotlight Online.

The article profiles the thoughts and experiences of Mary Feduccia, career services director at Louisiana State University. It explains their assessment cycle, and some specific assessment activities that they use. In addition, they have posted some of their assessment information on an Assessment webpage for their department. This page is well worth visiting for a detailed look at some real examples of a career centre's assessment activities, including comments on what changes and recommendations came out of the assessments.


Ms. Feduccia's parting thoughts are some I think are easy to agree with:
"It’s so easy to put assessment on the back burner, but career centers need to keep going with it,” Feduccia says. “It takes an entire process and a lot of work to be successful. Thoughtful planning, setting and adhering to deadlines, and following up on identified actions to close the loop are required for the assessment process to be as beneficial as possible.”