Student Professional Development Center (Career Services)

Forty-one percent of Elon University alumni in the Class of 2011 had accepted a full-time position by the day they received their diplomas, the highest percentage in five years of students reporting employment at time of graduation, according to initial results from the Cap & Gown survey administered by the Office of Career Services to seniors prior to Commencement.

This week, Elon Career Services' LinkedIn profile reached 3,000 1st degree connections with an expanded network of 11,220,000 people.

Ross Wade, assistant director of Career Services for the School of Communications, along with three career development colleagues from UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University and UNC Pembroke planned and facilitated a one day conference on the use of social media tools in career development practice.

Michelle Jones, assistant director of Career Services for Arts and Sciences, has received a $1,500 Professional Development Scholarship from the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers to use for professional development activities.

A team of Elon University staff and graduate students led by Ross Wade, assistant director of Career Services in the School of Communications, won an Innovative Excellence Award on June 2 from the National Association of Colleges and Employers at the organization’s national conference in Dallas.

When his hope of working for the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles wasn’t an option, even after an internship there that saw Harrison Seeler assist with the logistics of a pop superstar’s memorial service, the Elon University alum heeded advice from the Office of Career Services – “be patient” – and he today works for one of the largest entertainment venues in the nation.

Ross Wade, assistant director of Career Services for the School of Communications, and a team of four bloggers are finalists for a 2011 National Association of Colleges and Employers' (NACE) 2011 NACE Innovation Excellence Award (technology category).

Some have accepted top internships or will begin full-time work. Others plan to enroll in graduate school. For nine seniors who will receive their diplomas Under the Oaks on May 21, the first steps of their lives as Elon University alumni started months ago with a visit to the Office of Career Services. They’re now sharing their stories.