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KICKSTART

FOR PROFESSIONALS NEW TO
CAREER SERVICES

Next Cohort Begins:
October 29-30, 2025 
In Greater Cleveland
@ John Carroll University

KICKSTART IS A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE THAT EQUIPS NEW CAREER SERVICES STAFF WITH THE SKILLS TO BE STRATEGIC AND INNOVATIVE.

Kickstart is for new career services professionals who have been in their role for 0-2 years. The curriculum has been developed with a diverse audience in mind, both from education, background, and years of experience. 

 

Kickstart is for professionals new to career services who may or may not have previous experience in higher education or at other offices on campus. They might be recent master's or Ph.D. graduates or recent hires from industry. 

 

The program has also been designed to cater to career professionals with various career services roles such as career education, employer relations, internships, and experiential learning, or marketing/data/operations. We hope you will join the Kickstart community.

Oct 29-30, 2025 

In Greater Cleveland 

@ John Carroll University
+ Four Months of Virtual Cohort Sessions

WHY KICKSTART?

Kickstart leverages cohort-based learning with a group of peers who have diverse backgrounds and professional experiences.
In addition to your cohort, Kickstarters are also engaged in small community C-groups that provide regular feedback and support. 
This program connects you with veteran leaders who share their insights and experiences. 
Much of the content is focused on trends in the field, insights from The Collective’s Data Services, and contemporary best practices curated by the training team.
Participants learn how to maximize their roles and contribute at a high level early in their careers.
In addition to gaining expertise in the profession, participants also engage in relevant skill-building, like data competency, strategic planning, and connecting with stakeholders.
This program involves 2 full days of in-person training and networking AND four months of virtual cohort sessions.

2025 KICKSTART SCHEDULE

Oct 29-30, 2025

In-person in Greater Cleveland at John Carroll University

All Times EASTERN

Day 1

2:00 - 3:00: Check-in & Networking

3:00 - 6:00 pm: Welcome + Program Begins

6:00 - 8:30 pm: Dinner on Your Own with Community Groups

Day 2

9:00 - 3:30 pm: Kickstart Training Program

 

+ 4 Additional Sessions of Online Video Training & Community with Your C-Group

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HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotel is on your own and we do not have room blocks, due to small size of the program. Below are several hotel options within a short distance of the event. You are welcome to stay at any hotel that best suits your needs. 

 

Hyatt Place Cleveland/Lyndhurst/Legacy Village

2 miles from the University

 

Homewood Suites by Hilton Cleveland-Beachwood

3 miles from the University

 

Hotel Indigo Cleveland-Beachwood by IHG

3 miles from the University

 

Residence Inn by Marriott Cleveland Beachwood

3 miles from the University

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cleveland Downtown - Lakeside

Near Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: 

 

The Westin Cleveland Downtown (Marriott)

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GETTING TO CAMPUS

The Cleveland airport is 25-35 mins from the John Carroll campus. Lyft/Uber, taxis, and or carpooling are all great options for getting to campus.


 

RESTAURANTS

2025 KICKSTART COSTS

Member Rate: $875

Non-Member Rate: $1025
 

Inclusive of: ​ Two days of onsite training, materials, and community with your Kickstart cohort + Four online sessions

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KICKSTART TESTIMONIALS

I loved the connections made at the Kickstart!  The insights into how career centers can be re-envisioned to be more scalable were helpful in sparking conversations back in the office.  I remember distinctly, at the end of the experience, wishing it was LONGER - something you don't often feel following any conferences/trainings!

Sarah Peters
Assistant Director of the Springer Center for Internships

Bradley University

May Cohort 2022

OCT 2025 TEACHING TEAM

Monique Frost

Monique Frost

Consultant

The Career Leadership Collective

 

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Nick Cattin

Senior Manager of Consulting

The Career Leadership Collective 

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Jeremy Podany

CEO

The Career Leadership Collective 

Are you new to career services, but feeling a bit too seasoned for Kickstart? Check out: 

ASPIRE: For Mid-manager career professionals

MASTERMIND: For Top-level Career Leaders

Executive Leaders Forum: For Senior Administrators who oversee career services

Kickstart Curriculum

Agenda
FOUNDATIONS
CAREER SERVICES & HIGHER ED
PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
FOUNDATIONS
CAREER SERVICES & HIGHER ED
PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
SCALING, EQUITY & INCLUSION,
USING DATA
 
INNOVATION
SCALING, EQUITY & INCLUSION,
USING DATA
 
INNOVATION
THE CAMPUS ECOSYSTEM, EMPOWERING CHAMPIONS
CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT
THE CAMPUS ECOSYSTEM, EMPOWERING CHAMPIONS
CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT
STRATEGIES, PRIORITIES, CAREER ADVANCEMENT
MANAGING YOUR WORK
STRATEGIES, PRIORITIES, CAREER ADVANCEMENT
MANAGING YOUR WORK
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Oct 2025 Cohort Logistics

TRANSPORTATION ON YOUR OWN​

  • It is easy to LYFT / UBER around Cleveland

FAQs​​

  • Are seats limited? Yes, registration is first-come, first-served. 

  • Can I save a spot for a future new hire whose name I don't know yet? Yes, you have this option at registration if you are hiring a new staff member right now and want them to come. 

  • Can I send a graduate student who works in our office? Yes, but we recommend the investment only if you are likely to hire them full-time. 
     

 

Want to chat about Kickstart before registering?

Email services@careerleadershipcollective.com

Diversity of thought, experiences, and people are a top value of our company, embedded in all that we do. We invite and intentionally encourage this at all of our events and activities. 

Contact us

General Inquiries

Our Founder and CEO - Jeremy Podany

© 2017-2025 The Career Leadership Collective

1001-A E HARMONY RD #150, FORT COLLINS CO 80525

(970) 440-7423 

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