The University of Oregon includes career readiness in its definition of student success. Faculty and staff frequently talk with students about the value of their UO education, but many students have difficulty connecting their education with what today’s employers are looking for.
All of us have a role to play in helping students to understand the value of their education, build experiences that employers desire, and translate all their experience into language that articulates their value to potential employers or graduate programs.
Our students will graduate from the University of Oregon having had a positive experience and will be well educated, socially responsible, and career ready.
Career Competencies
The University of Oregon defines career readiness as student attainment of the Career Competencies that employers desire. Our list of competencies comes from research conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the preeminent professional association that focuses on the college-to-career transition.
| Competency | Definition |
|---|---|
| Career & Self-Development | Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization. |
| Communication | Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization. |
| Critical Thinking | Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information. |
| Equity & Inclusion | Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist practices that actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism. |
| Leadership | Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals. |
| Professionalism | Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace. |
| Teamwork | Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities. |
| Technology | Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals. |
The UO’s Network of Career Support
The University Career Center leads campus efforts to promote student career readiness by serving as the gateway to exceptional career services at the UO. Our office’s services are open to all students, and our goal is to empower, prepare, and educate students not just for their first job, but for their lifelong process of career success. In conjunction with advising and career services partners across campus, the University Career Center assists UO students with facilitating self-exploration and discovery, securing internships and other career-related experiences, and connecting with potential employers.
Many of the professional schools at the UO have career offices to support their students:
- College of Design
- College of Law
- Lundquist College of Business, Mohr Career Services
- School of Journalism and Communication
- School of Planning, Public Policy and Management
