College to Career
As a university of opportunity, student success is a core part of our strategic plan and the foundation of social and economic mobility — that is taking students to a different place than where they started. Ensuring that Wayne State’s students graduate career ready and prepared to thrive is a goal of the Our Moment in Time strategic plan. This institutional initiative seeks to determine and drive progress, and enhance and expand efforts to ensure that students are career ready.
Career-engaged learning is the key to achieving our objectives, and this university-wide initiative enhances, expands and integrates the applied learning happening in the classroom, with opportunities extending well beyond the classroom. Learning-by-doing opportunities help deepen a student's educational experience through application in real-world contexts. Students gain marketable skills like critical thinking, leadership and communication. These skills build a strong foundation for long-term career success. Defined broadly, career-engaged learning includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Interdisciplinary project-based learning and field work
- Internships, micro-externships, and co-operative experiences
- Global experiences/education abroad
- Community service learning
- Team-based, solutions-oriented experiences
- Research in the field and in lab settings
- Alumni and professional mentoring, job shadowing and other developmental experiences
- Entrepreneurship and other business development opportunities
Through such efforts, students encounter the world, gain deeper insights and new perspectives, and learn by doing.
College to Career funding
Wayne State proudly supports engaging student experiences — both inside and beyond the classroom — that ensure students graduate career ready and prepared to thrive. President Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D., and Provost Laurie Lauzon Clabo, Ph.D., have provided funding to projects across campus identified to support innovation and student success that are directly tied to our mission. These investments help to serve more students by expanding projects and scaling impactful ideas, while further strengthening our relationships with community partners.
Learn more about College to Career projects
College to Career conversation
College to Career was announced by Wayne State President Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D., on Nov. 8, 2023, at a ceremony attended by faculty, staff, alumni and students (watch video of the ceremony). College to Career encourages the Wayne State community and its partners to intentionally create career experiences that will help prepare students for post-graduation success.
Benefits for Wayne State Students
- Applications of classroom learning in the real world
- An appreciation for varied points of view
- A mastery of 21st century skills
- Critical thinking analysis, confidence and leadership skills
- Fosters the development of professional networks for all students
Benefits for Detroit and Our Region
- Employers gain early access to talented students
- Builds trusted connections to Wayne State
- Advances regional business competitiveness
- Addresses employer hiring challenges and advances equity
- Engages alumni and other stakeholders to support the success of our city and region
College to Career Initiative Lead
Ahmad Ezzeddine
Senior Vice Provost for Partnerships, Workforce & International Initiatives
c2c@wayne.edu