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

The 2012 Veterans Talent Index from Monster includes important data on the veteran student population and reveals this is a student population in need of particular attention. Veterans lack confidence in their preparation to transfer to the civilian workforce. In what ways can career services and institutions in general intervene? Leave your thoughts and comments regarding this insightful report.

President and CEO of APSCU, Steve Gunderson, reflects on the 2012 Presidential election and what it means for private sector colleges and universities.

 

Recently, 60 Minutes did a special on the skills gap in America.  An employer describes the skills gap and says there is a lack of basic communication skills and critical thinking even from those with degrees.  The problem seems systemic so what are the ways in which career schools can respond to help prepare today's college students succeed in the workforce?

 

This is an article written and published in the Career Education Review on harnessing Alumni Communitiew with Social Media.  Career colleges that recognize the value of managing relationships from prospect to graduate and become early adopters of social media technologies,will position themselves to sustain a competitive advantage in the future.

 

 

Robert - you did it right - people need to scheduled an appointment with themselves to dedicate time to their own development.  No doubt, your approach and focus contributed to you having a good experience.  Office door closed, coffee in hand - you're making me want to participate in some training with that picture in my head!  So glad you had a good experience!

Take care!

Hello Samantha,

 

You may be interested in the following blogs in The Lounge:

  • Top 100 Tools for Learning 2012: http://lwire.us/?l=5Q6Q 
  • A Beginner's Guide to Social Media for the Job Seeker: http://lwire.us/?l=16NB

 

Discussion Comment

Amy, This question is important both for those who are already using social media and for those who are researching how they want to use it within the online social community they are building and/or joining. Part of the research that is helpful to conduct is to learn how the people you are trying to reach use social media and what types of things engage them. This can be done through observation (Researching students on social media), informal focus groups, surveys, or even a demographic profile which you can research with the Social Technographics profile tool included in the "Getting… >>>

This reseearch paper examines the institutional costs of student attrition.  It states that one-third of students who enter postsecondary education expecting to earn a degree leave without one. It outlines the scope of the issue, defines attrition, provides a taxonomy of attrition, and provides a state-level and institutional-level cost analysis.  

ManPower provides many research reports that offer insight on important employment related trends on a regional, national, and global level.  This bookmark is a great resource for conducting research on trends related to staffing and employment.

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