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

The Placement Model

Hello Ruth, The placement model is a linear model that historically has focused on matching graduates to career opportunities with little focus on career development. If I play devil's advocate, one could argue that one-on-one guidance isn't what the Placement model emphasizes because it is missing the "guidance" that arguably has greater need in today's environment. Considering how the labor market is dramatically different today and that the strategies to obtain, maintain and progress in one's career has changed, one could argue that the placement model is actually lacking the one-on-one guidance necessary to help students achieve maximum success. What… >>>

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Barriers to Employment and Intervention Strategies

Hello Ruth, You touched upon something interesting. You stated that lack of motivation is an issue and that some student enroll for the wrong reasons. This clearly indicates the relationship between enrollment management and graduate outcomes. You've mentioned that you bring in speakers and I'm guessing this is to help motivate students but I'm wondering if the institution has considered what can be done at the point of enrollment to address the issues you have indicated. What ideas do you have that could allow for intervention during the admissions process? Robert Starks Jr.

Robert Pearl Starks

Blog

Sector Spotlight Video Interview With Alex Tabarrok

Editor Kevin Kuzma leads the first in a four-part series of interviews with Alex Tabarrok, associate professor of economics at George Mason University. Alex talks with Kevin about the shortage of Americans pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Targeting Intervention Strategies

Hello Paulette, Do you have any thoughts/ideas on how the practices you described (1-on-1 work with students, weekly team meetings) can be scaled for large and/or online institutions? As you know, some institutions have trouble with these types of practices because of their size and/or their delivery (online, blended and/or on-ground). Any thoughts? Robert Starks Jr.

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Enrollment Management and Graduate Employment Outcomes

Hello Paulette, Whereas "over enrollment" may not be an issue at your campus, are there any practices in place at your institution during the admissions process that enable students to assess their career interests at the point of considering enrollment to align their interests with programs offered by the institution? In my experience, this seems to be a rare practice and I am curious if your institution does this, has considered it, or will consider. Thanks for sharing! Robert Starks Jr.

Robert Pearl Starks

Blog

How to Make Stress your Friend [VIDEO]

Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others.

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Social Media Trends

Hi Kristin, I'd have to agree with you that most institutions have simply started using social media tools but without intent. It is mainly used as another megaphone to make announcements when it has potential to be part of an integrated marketing strategy to achieve multiple career center objectives. It can help increase student awareness and participation, recruit program advisory board members, leverage word-of-mouth to discover career opportunities in the unadvertised market, and enhance career preparation and learning by strategically designing personal learning networks. These are just a few of the ways it can be used with purpose. Robert Starks… >>>

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Relationship-building Strategies

Hi Paulette, It's great you have such wonderful alumni engagement and that you have involved alumni in your career services programming. Some schools struggle getting alumni involved and keeping in touch with alumni. What do you think are some of the things your school does well that results in your alumni's continued participation? Thanks. Robert Starks Jr.

Robert Pearl Starks

Blog

Forty Million Jobs Needed

More than 40 million people are unemployed in developed economies alone. Here we explore the underlying causes of the jobs crisis and some of the ways business, government, and Higher Education can cooperate to create the millions of jobs that are needed.

Robert Pearl Starks

Blog

Challenges to the Higher Education Business Model with Jane Wellman

Executive Director of National Commission on College and University Board Governance Jane Wellman discusses whether the higher education business model is broken and, if so, how it can be changed. Issues include seeking new sources of revenue, cross subsidizing programs, and rising costs, among others.

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