Cody Kangas
- Executive Director, Career Services
- cody@mtu.edu
- 906-487-1804
- Administration Building 220
The Importance of Establishing a Career Ecosystem with a Focus on ROI
As universities continue to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education, the integration of a campus career ecosystem that emphasizes return on investment (ROI) is becoming increasingly critical. According to Rebekah Pare in her article Re-Introducing Your New ROI: The Department of Career Services, the career development department’s role on college campuses nationwide has evolved beyond just placing students in jobs after graduation. Today, it is a core component of student success, institutional reputation, and long-term outcomes. A career ecosystem that prioritizes ROI helps to ensure that students are not only academically prepared but also strategically positioned to succeed in the workforce, thereby maximizing the university's value proposition to students, employers, and alumni.
A career ecosystem with a clear ROI focus emphasizes the interconnectedness of various campus resources, designed to provide students with comprehensive career development opportunities. As outlined by Pare, ROI in the context of career services goes beyond employment rates. It involves tracking how effectively the university supports students in their transition from academic to professional life. This includes equipping students with relevant career skills, offering access to internships, career fairs, and industry-specific networking events, and ensuring that these resources are integrated into the academic experience. Here at Michigan Tech, we are uniquely positioned to deliver enhanced curricular and co-curricular experiences that serve and meet the critical needs of our Huskies—from Enterprise, to Study Abroad, to APMP, to RSOs, to co-op, etc.—ultimately providing them with a competitive edge and preparing them to be self-aware, resilient, and confident global citizens. By establishing such a multifaceted career ecosystem, universities can ensure that students not only graduate but do so with the skills, competencies, and experiences that employers are actively seeking.
Jeremy Podany, in his discussion of The 4 Foundations of the Career Ecosystem Era, further highlights that ROI must also be seen from the perspective of institutional and employer partnerships. A well-established career ecosystem facilitates stronger ties between universities and industry partners, creating a two-way value exchange. Employers benefit by gaining access to a pipeline of well-prepared graduates, while universities enhance their reputation by demonstrating the employability of their alumni. This mutually beneficial relationship ensures that universities are continually adapting to the needs of the job market while enhancing their ability to attract top-tier students. By measuring the ROI of such partnerships—such as through data on post-graduation employment rates (over 93% at Michigan Tech) and the quality of positions secured—universities can further refine their career support offerings.
The importance of tracking outcomes and making data-driven decisions to continuously improve the career ecosystem is front of mind for Career Services at Michigan Tech. The ROI of a career ecosystem can be gauged through metrics such as student satisfaction, career placement rates, starting salaries, and employer feedback. Recent evidence suggests we’re doing well in this regard: our Fall 2024 Career Fair saw the largest employer turnout in university history (385 recruiting companies), and Wall Street Journal lists Michigan Tech as No. 3 for Best Salaries among public colleges in the U.S., No. 2 for Best Public College for Salary Impact, and No. 2 for Best Public School for Internships. As we continue to focus on and broadcast this type of ROI, the better we can demonstrate our commitment to student success and their broader societal impact. A well-functioning career ecosystem not only supports individual student outcomes but also enhances the university’s long-term value in a competitive higher education market. More than ever, shifting our focus to ROI fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, ensuring that everyone benefits from the investments made in career services and student development.
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