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

Website

http://www.careertipster.com

Activity

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Objective vs. Summary vs. Headline

Hi Chasminh, When students use the objective statement, do you find that they tend to focus more on what they want vs. what they offer? What techniques do you use to ensure that even when writing an objective, they focus on communicating what they offer of value and relevance to the employer? Robert Starks Jr.

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

RÃ©sumÃ© as Marketing Device

Hi Chasminh, Thank you for sharing your process. To clarify, have you found that going through this process, students begin to understand that resume development is truly part of a marketing strategy or do you you have students who already understand this prior to engaging in the process? I'm sure you may have both - what has been your experience? Robert Starks Jr.

Robert Pearl Starks

Blog

Hire Education: Online Competency-based Learning

Dr. Michelle R. Weise discusses why she and Clayton M. Christensen decided to focus on online competency-based education as the topic of their latest mini-book -- Hire Education: Mastery, Modularization, and the Workforce Revolution.

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Objective vs. Summary vs. Headline

Hi Joyce, Thanks for sharing your strategy. In what ways do you instruct students to demonstrate "cultural fit" on the resume. This can be tricky so I'd like to hear your thoughts on how one does this in the resume. Regards, Robert Starks Jr.

Robert Pearl Starks

Blog

Student Recruitment for the Mobile Generation - Mobile-Friendliness

Your site needs to work for prospective and current students, so if you don't mind us asking: how does your site look on a smartphone or tablet? If the answer is "less than stellar," you have an opportunity to re-imagine your institution's site as a future-friendly destination that delivers facts, utility, and marketing content for all of your different audiences.

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Online Presence for Job Seekers

Hi Jessica, I'm glad to hear you've made this part of your exit interview process. It's so important! You may find the following resources helpful when working with students on developing a professional online presence: 1. Beginner's Guide to Social Media for the Job Seeker - http://lwire.us/?l=JAKH 2. SimpleWash - I recommend reading this short blog on SimpleWash, an app to help clean up your online presence http://lwire.us/?l=N0U0 I hope those resources help! Keep up the good and IMPORTANT work you do! Robert Starks Jr.

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Objective vs. Summary vs. Headline

Hi Jessica, I have found that perhaps the greatest challenge when assisting students with resumes is to get students to have a marketing mindset. This mindset leads to the "aha" moment for why the resume needs to be written as a value proposition to the employer - "what do I offer and what is the evidence that backs up my claims" are the questions a resume writer must answer. The formula provided in the course for writing effective objectives may help your students. Robert Starks Jr.

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Objective vs. Summary vs. Headline

Hi Paulette, Thanks for sharing your personal preference and opinion. I think your perspective of what it means to be "professional" is interesting. I think people would have differing opinions on this as well so I'll ask for all other participants - Does "professional profile" necessarily mean one has been in the field for several years? The issue I've observed with objectives is that they often focus on what the person wants vs. what they can offer the employer. However, this doesn't mean that all objectives are simply for an individual to obtain a job - this is simply because… >>>

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Hi Paulette, Thanks for sharing these practical strategies. Once you are able to get students to realize the importance of managing their professional image as part of a marketing strategy to obtain their career goals, I'm wondering if you've thought of (or use) ways to then get those students who have had that "Aha moment" to further spread the message and influence other students to adopt similar behaviors/strategies to market themselves. I've found that often, career services could use additional human resources but if not staff, they can often mobilize students to assist in helping other students. I would love… >>>

Robert Pearl Starks

Blog

Bill Gates on Taking Online Classes [VIDEO]

No, Gates isn't working on his bachelor's degree, but, he tells CNET's Ina Fried, he is an avid viewer of online classes from MIT and elsewhere. Such classes have the potential to transform higher education, he says.

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