Supporting Recent Graduates: A Unique Job Search Strategy Program

Graduating from a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI) often leaves students feeling unsupported in their career pursuits. As they begin the job search process, many experience self-doubt and stagnation. This is especially true when waiting for responses from potential employers. Such feelings can lead to procrastination or a lack of motivation.

To tackle these issues, the Santa Clara University (SCU) Career Center created the Recent Graduate Job Search Strategy Program. This program is structured to assist graduates in their first six months after graduation. Offered quarterly via Zoom, the five-week program employs a holistic approach. It aims to empower participants through positive emotions, character strengths, achievable goals, a supportive community, and accountability.

Making a Difference in Students' Lives

Since its launch in 2022, the program has run 11 successful cohorts, serving over 150 graduates. Each cohort consists of five 90-minute virtual sessions. The program reaches out to students each quarter, focusing on those who either do not respond to the First Destination Survey or indicate they are “Still Looking” for employment. This strategy emphasizes the program’s value and is integral to the Career Center's commitment to this survey's operational success.

Structure of the Program

Prior to commencing the program, students participate in a brief assessment. This helps ensure their experience aligns with personal needs and group goals. The screening involves questions about individual objectives and concerns about group participation. Before attending, students must have their resumes and LinkedIn profiles reviewed by a Career Coach at the Career Center. After this, they receive comprehensive pre-program instructions. The importance of accountability, personal well-being, self-care practices, and consistent attendance is emphasized.

A Comprehensive Agenda

Over the five weeks, participants explore various career development topics:

• Week One: Interpreting the pre-work survey and introducing the values/positive core exercise along with the VIA Character Strengths Survey.
  
  
• Week Two: Learning how to craft a compelling resume and effectively use LinkedIn.
  
  
• Week Three: Developing networking strategies, particularly through the Santa Clara alumni community and Career Center resources.
  
  
• Week Four: Understanding interview psychology and practicing necessary skills.
  
  
• Week Five: Learning negotiation techniques for salary discussions and sharing alumni career journeys.
  
  

Participants track personal progress using metrics such as self-care practices, outreach efforts, applications submitted, recruiter responses, and secured interviews. The Career Center evaluates the program based on completion rates, job placement outcomes, and pre- and post-survey results. Remarkably, 60% of participants secure employment within three to six months after completing the program.

The program is rooted in positive psychology, guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT). This theory highlights autonomy, competence, and relatedness as key motivational drivers. By fostering these elements, we help recent graduates build confidence and resilience to navigate their careers. The program promotes intrinsic motivation, personal growth, and long-term well-being.

The Importance of Building Campus Partnerships

To improve our program, we partnered with the Associate Director of Co-Curricular Assessment. Together, we created a 10-question pre- and post-program survey to measure participant confidence, job search knowledge, and career competencies. We discovered that many recent graduates, who had not used the Career Center as undergraduates, lacked fundamental job search strategies. This often leads to low motivation and challenges in navigating the job market.

In collaboration with the Alumni Office, we identified graduates eager to support current students in their career development. These alumni participate in panel discussions, sharing their career journeys, early professional experiences, and valuable lessons learned. Looking ahead, we aspire to forge deeper collaborations with academic departments and advocates to ensure the program's sustainability and long-term impact.

Three Suggestions for Starting a Similar Program at Your University

1. Assess Graduate Needs: Begin by identifying the specific needs of recent graduates, especially concerning career-related stress, resilience-building, and aligning values with future goals. Use your First Destination Survey (FDS) to find students still searching for jobs at the end of each period. This will help you design an impactful program.

2. Build Strong Campus Partnerships: Work with key campus stakeholders, including the Office of Assessment, the Alumni Office, and various schools and colleges. Collaborations can help launch a successful program for recent graduates.

3. Prioritize a Thoughtful Screening Process: A carefully designed screening process sets the right tone for group dynamics. It ensures participants are a suitable fit, preventing future issues and fostering a productive environment.

About the Author

Myriam Bartz serves as the Assistant Director of Career Development at Santa Clara University Career Center. Working with both alumni and graduate students from the School of Engineering and the School of Education & Counseling Psychology, she is dedicated to helping individuals discover their strengths, values, and purpose. Through a strengths-based approach, she guides students toward intentional job search strategies that lead to meaningful careers aligned with community and industry needs.

With over 15 years in a technology company, Myriam worked in Customer Service and later as a Program Manager in the Executive Briefing Center. She led teams to design impactful technology briefings for clients across Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

Myriam is a certified coach through the International Coaching Federation, specializing in Positive Psychology and holding an MBA from Golden Gate University. She is also pursuing a degree in Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University to become a Marriage and Family Therapist.

By supporting initiatives like the Recent Graduate Job Search Strategy Program, Myriam advocates for the success of graduates navigating a challenging job market.