Robert Pearl Starks

Robert Pearl Starks

Location: phoenix, arizona

About me

Robert Starks Jr. is a Performance Consultant for MaxKnowledge, Inc. Robert has 10 years of experience in higher education and has led teams responsible for career services and alumni relations programming, as well as community outreach and public relations initiatives. Robert was recognized for his leadership and exceptional results by Career Education Corporation (CEC) with the "Above and Beyond" award for developing his institution's first alumni relations program in its 32 year history. Under Robert's leadership, his former career services team was recognized with four consecutive Best Placement Practice Awards from the Arizona Private School Association (APSA) among its 56+ member schools in the state which contributed to his institution also being recognized as School of the Year by APSA in 2008 and 2012. Additionally, the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC) recognized Robert in 2013 with the Associate Member of the Year award. 

Robert holds a Master of Science in Management, a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, and a minor in Sociology. Robert currently serves on the board for the Arizona Private School Association. Robert is the former Director of Media & Technology and former Membership Chair for the Arizona Career Development Association (ACDA). Additionally, Robert is the founder and publisher of Careertipster.com and serves on the Arizona Program Committee of the national non-profit, Boys Hope Girls Hope.

Interests

social media, career development, training, higher education, web 2.0/3.0, career services, leadership, marketing

Skills

social media, marketing, training, consulting, management, strategic planning

Activity

Education Secretary Arne Duncan announces new rules requiring career colleges to do a better job of preparing students for gainful employment, or risk losing access to taxpayer-funded federal student aid.

Hi Kim, I hear you - scheduling can definitely be a challenge. Have you explored any distance methods such as webcams or recorded video? When conducting the mock networking activity, are students assessed and given feedback? What is evaluated and how is feedback given? Robert Starks Jr.

Hi Kim, Those are excellent recommendations. I'm not sure if your school already does this but I know of another institution that had similar industries as yours (creative) and had similar challenges. Another strategy they implemented was a formal periodic portfolio evaluation with students. The school established a timeline for each department for when Program Chairs and Lead Instructors would have "check-ins" with students to evaluate their portfolios and develop action plans to help improve students' work so that by the time students were in their final portfolio course, quality was improved. They required participation in a final portfolio show… >>>

Hi Kim, What you describe does indeed sound like there is opportunity to have improved processes in the admissions area to ensure students and the institution are better prepared for success. What practices do you believe can be implemented to address the lack of cohesion you mention? Robert Starks Jr.
Hi Kim, I'm excited to hear you use social media for "relationship building" vs. "communicating." I think there is a distinct difference and this is seen in one's strategy which you touched upon. Do you have any success stories of how you've been able to expand/strengthen relationships using social media that led to some sort of result (i.e. new employer hiring, gaining advisory board member, finding unadvertised job/internship opportunities, etc.)? Robert Starks Jr.
Hi Lisa, I agree with the "marathon" mentality. I'm curious, what ways does your career services team evaluate graduates to assess their fit for a specific employer? Is there involvement with other departments and are these methods formalized/institutionalized or different for every career services staff member? Robert Starks Jr.
Hi Candace, What systems are in place at your institution to partner with academics to ensure curricula aligns with industry expectations? Are there any strategies the course mentions that are not implemented that would be feasible to implement or advocate for? Robert Starks Jr.
Share your favorite forms of emerging career marketing collateral and the ones that your students have had the most challenges with.
Have you had students use video résumés in their job search? Have you recommended them or found them successful for enhancing a student’s brand?
Discussion Comment
What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of using Twitter as a form of micro résumé and networking?

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