Five Employment Readiness Strategies
Joanna Prociuk is the Assistant Vice President of Talent and Innovation for CENTERS, frequent presenter at NIRSA and guest author for Campus Rec Magazine.
The landscape of higher education is rapidly transforming, driven by fluctuations in state funding and an intensified focus on career readiness and experiential learning. As the largest employer of students on many campuses, campus recreation is uniquely positioned to prepare students for future employment by ensuring they’re equipped with both academic knowledge and practical skills.
Performance-based funding has become a significant driver of change, with 31 states by 2020 adopting models that allocate appropriations based on metrics such as course completions, workforce participation and more. These models encourage institutions to prioritize genuine student success over simple enrollment numbers. Campus recreation must also adapt to support these new institutional outcomes.
To effectively navigate this evolving funding landscape, campus recreation departments must strategically adapt their programs to align with PBF metrics and broader career preparedness goals.
Here are five key strategies for achieving this alignment:
1. Enhanced Orientation and Training Programs:
2. Career-Linked Employment Structure:
3. Consistent and Actionable Feedback Loops:
4. Strong Career Services Partnership:
5. Robust Outcome Tracking and Reporting:
About the Author:
Joanna Prociuk is the Assistant Vice President of Talent and Innovation for CENTERS, a professional campus center management company. Prociuk is responsible for employee recruitment and career development. She also presents at NIRSA and Athletic Business on topics like student engagement or facility operations.