New UC Career Education Division Connects Students, Potential Employers

The University of Cincinnati Office of the Provost announced today a new career education-focused division that will bring together the Career Development Center (CDC) and the Professional Practice and Experiential Learning (ProPEL) programs to provide students with clear career education pathways by blending experiential learning opportunities with their professional pursuits.

The one-stop career education division is one of several investments being made by the Office of the Provost toward re-imagining the student experience, a cornerstone of the Third Century plan. More investments to expand UC’s student affairs programs and services will be forthcoming, as recommended by the external affairs review undertaken earlier this year.

Building upon the oldest co-op program in the world, the new single division will capitalize on the strengths of both units by combining the curriculum provided by ProPEL with the employer-relations knowledge and career orientation of the CDC. 

As well as making it easier to connect students with employers, a one-stop division will better leverage resources to prepare graduates for meaningful and successful careers in a wide range of professions, sectors, industries and locations. 

The Office of the Provost designated a task force comprised of faculty, students and staff, co-chaired by Vice President of Student Affairs Debra Merchant and Associate Provost Kettil Cedercreutz, to assess UC’s career services. Students and employers identified a more integrated approach as a crucial element toward cooperative education, internships and career services at UC, which became a core recommendation of the task force.

The division will be led by Associate Provost Cedercreutz and will be fully operational in time for the Fall 2016 semester to provide comprehensive career services for all UC students.