'Kickstart'-ing a Professional Journey in Career Services

Monique Frost, a Consultant with The Collective, connected with Karen Wong at St. Catherine University for an in-depth discussion of her experience with the Kickstart program.  

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.

Question #1

Please share specific examples of skills or knowledge that you gained through the Kickstart training.

When I attended the Kickstart program, I was still very new - not just to my institution but to higher education services as a whole. Kickstart served as a comprehensive learning experience for me. Building community was significant. Connecting with other leaders, in particular, opened doors to various professional development opportunities. They've been instrumental in recommending additional opportunities through the Collective and other channels. Looking forward, it helped me gain more clarity about my place in career services. I developed a better understanding of where the field is heading and where I fit within that future landscape.

Question #2

What aspects of the Kickstart program were most impactful in shaping your leadership style and capabilities, and how have you applied these learnings in your current role?

Through my training with the Collective, the concept of the campus ecosystem and career services has really become central to my thinking. I'm constantly evaluating how my role and work impact the rest of the campus and how I can influence the broader institutional community. The training influences how I want to work with my team to define our institution's approach. As a general career services team on campus, we're continuously exploring what this looks like for us specifically and where we're heading. Working with our senior leadership team adds another layer to this strategic thinking - we have to consider both our current strategies and future possibilities within this broader ecosystem. The complexity lies in thinking about our immediate impact and future direction. When you're part of a campus ecosystem, there's so much strategy to consider - not just for our department, but how it interconnects with other campus initiatives and leadership priorities. It's about constantly evaluating our role in the bigger picture.

Question #3

How did the cohort-based structure of Kickstart contribute to your learning experience? Were any particular relationships formed during the program that have benefited your career?

The cohort structure created an incredible opportunity for building professional and personal connections. What made it especially unique was that my Kickstart cohort was all based in Minnesota, which opened up some wonderful in-person opportunities. We were able to meet monthly for our C group meetups, which was fantastic. But what's really special is that we continued these meetings even after they were no longer required. There was just so much value in maintaining those connections. They evolved into this wonderful space where we could exchange ideas, check in on each other, and discuss the various changes happening in our work. It became this collaborative environment where we shared information as a group and stayed updated on each other's journeys. Having that local, sustained network has been invaluable.

Question #4

Before joining Kickstart, what were some key challenges you faced in your career services role? How did the program help you address these challenges?

When I stepped into my position, there had been quite a few transitions that predated my arrival. I found myself trying to understand where the department stood and how career services fit into the broader campus landscape. It was about mapping out both the present and the future. Being part of Kickstart during those early stages of my journey was really valuable. It helped me consider perspectives I might not have otherwise thought about, and it gave me a different lens through which to view career services. This fresh perspective was crucial for thinking strategically about our department's future. It was definitely a big challenge, but Kickstart provided something significant - clarity. When you're trying to chart a course for both your department and campus-wide career services, having that additional clarity is invaluable. It helped me be more strategic in my planning and understanding of what could be possible for our future.

Question #5

Looking back, how has the Kickstart program prepared you for future career advancements and leadership opportunities? What long-term benefits have you observed? 

My position was different from that of a traditional kickstart participant. As the leader of my Career Services Department, I already had access to many opportunities that typical participants might be working toward. But that doesn't mean the program wasn't valuable – just valuable in different ways. The program helped me feel more grounded in my position. You know, imposter syndrome is something that affects many people in leadership roles, and the program helped me navigate that. But beyond that, it strengthened my ability to advocate for career services on campus. It made me more confident in articulating what career services should look like and why it matters. I became better at advocating for our services, our students, and the time and space we need on campus. In a leadership role, that kind of confidence and clarity is crucial – it's about being able to champion not just your department but the entire concept of career services within the institution.

Question #6

What was your most memorable experience or take away from the Kickstart program, and how has this particular experience influenced your approach to career services and leadership?

Attending with a team member was really valuable. We were in different community groups, which actually worked to our advantage. It meant we could compare perspectives on our learning and share unique insights from our separate community conversations. It was like having a second set of eyes in the room. Having someone to process the information with was incredibly beneficial. We could talk through concepts together, and because we were experiencing the program from different angles, we each brought unique perspectives to our discussions. It enriched the learning experience for both of us. Even after the program, having someone on my team who shared this experience has been invaluable. I can trust them to do great work because we have this common foundation. They can also point out things I might miss, bringing their expertise and experiences to the table. It's created this wonderful dynamic where we can continue to learn from each other.

Karen Wong progressed in her professional development journey and is now also a graduate of the Mastermind Program, which is exclusively for Director, Executive Director, and AVP-level staff.

Want to chat about Kickstart before registering? Email services@careerleadershipcollective.com

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

ASPIRE: For Mid-manager career professionals

MASTERMIND: For Top-level Career Leaders