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Hi Lauren,

Whereas a size of an institution can certainly lead to specialized functional areas leading to different "departments," the size of a school alone isn't typically the only variable that should determine the division of work. It is quite typical for schools to have individuals serve in different functional capacities such as an instructor who also helps graduates with employment (typically a "Career Services" function). What is pointed out in the course is the interdependence of all aspects of the student life cycle which is similar no matter school size. For students, there is an enrollment process, a program to be completed, and graduation no matter a school's size. Unfortunately, this process encourages many to view graduate employment as a linear process accomplished in a fashion similar to a factory model which explains the design of most schools. In your instance, your institution isn't operating this way (a good thing). This may have happened organically (Naturally) because of your size or it may have been designed that way as part of your operational strategy (you'd know better than I). Institutions can think of themselves as an ecosystem or a conglomerate of departments but mentality or philosophy is more powerful than an institution's size in determining this. As your school scales and grows, it will be interesting to see how this mentality is kept in tact and reflected in the way service is delivered. Size can make it more complicated but as I pointed out, I believe it has more to do with the philosophy of leadership in how they'd like to operate.

Robert Starks Jr.

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