CCWT - The Center for Research on College to Workforce Transitions

Dr. Trevor McCray: A Deep Dive into HBCU Graduates Career Development Experience
2024-01-29 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
As we continue to push for the recognition and advancement of our renowned Historically Black Colleges and Universities, it’s imperative that we shed light on how career development is derived for HBCU students. In this webinar, Dr. McCray will share what he’s learned through a small pilot study about HBCU graduates’ career development experiences, key elements of career development at HBCUs, and considerations for potential HBCU career center advancements.
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Kaila Bingen: Empowering Students to Prioritize Their Safety in Experiential Learning
2024-02-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Thousands of students engage in experiential learning every year, yet institutions vary in how they prepare students for these experiences. In this webinar, you will reflect on how your institution prepares students for experiential learning and evaluate what resources are available to staff, faculty, and students related to sexual harassment and microaggressions. Participants will gain understanding of their liability and responsibilities related to student safety by previewing a brand new, fully virtual, highly engaging training titled, “Safety and Empowerment for Experiential Learning: Professional Behavior and Appropriate Boundaries.” Developed by University of Wisconsin-Parkside in partnership with Universities of Wisconsin and Dynamic Training Resources, this training will improve equity for students engaged in experiential learning and equips students with the knowledge and tools to advocate for their own and others’ safety and wellbeing in professional spaces.
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Land Grant Institutions & the Opportunity of Post-Graduate Studies
2024-03-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Land grant institutions are a pivotal piece to the opportunity for higher learning in America. In this webinar, we will look at the past, present, and future landscape of post-graduate opportunities at land grant institutions in three states; Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. The history and difference between 1862 and 1890 Morrill Act land grant institutions will be discussed as well as how internships, scholarships, and the end of affirmative action play a role in continued education.
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Nidia Bañuelos - Social Support Networks and STEM Identity for Students of Color
2024-03-12 08:00 - 17:00
Preliminary Results from a Longitudinal Study of Hispanic Serving Institutions
Hosted by the University of Detroit

Ericka Wills - empowHER: A Mentoring Program for Women in the Wisconsin Building Trades
2024-03-13 12:30 - 13:30 | Zoom
This webinar introduces empowHER Wisconsin Women in the Building Trades, which was established in 2019 to normalize the role of, support, and retain women in the construction industry and recruit more women into union construction careers. The presenter will discuss the scholarship regarding mentoring as a key component of achieving this vision, discuss the collaborative process of designing and launching this empowHER mentoring program, and offer an activity to demonstrate the unique issues women in this industry face.

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Dr. Taewon Kim: Racialized Poverty Among College Students
2024-04-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Researchers and career counselors have become increasingly interested in understanding college students’ experiences of poverty and identifying the role of paid internship opportunities in poverty experiences based on structural, cultural, and historical dynamics. Drawing from data from CCWT, Dr. Kim will explain multidimensional poverty and display different structures and natures of poverty that college students experience across racial identities. She will also explain if first-generation college students are more vulnerable to racialized poverty and if paid internship opportunities would alleviate poverty experiences and provide reflection questions and future directions highlighting ways to support invisible student groups with intersecting identities.
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AERA 2024: The Alignment Between Internship, College Major, and Career Plan: Differential Experiences Across Gender, Race, and Major Groups
2024-04-11 16:20 - 17:50
Carla Glave and Ran Liu
2024 AERA Annual Meeting
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Philadelphia, PA
Floor: Level 100, Room 103A

AERA 2024: Internships, Supervisory Styles, and Career Adaptability for College Students
2024-04-12 15:05 - 16:35 | AERA 2024
Changhee Lee, Vanderbilt University & Mindi Thompson, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Career adaptability has become increasingly important in the discourse on work-based learning and college students’ career development, given its potential link with lifelong vocational success. However, the impact of internships and specific supervisory styles on career adaptability remains underexplored. This study addresses the gap by exploring whether and how internships, considering qualities including autonomy, goal clarity, emotional support, and task-related mentoring, relate to interns’ career adaptability gains. Using Ordinary Least Squares regressions with two-wave survey data (N=847), we found that internships are associated with gains in the concern dimension of career adaptability. Additionally, higher autonomy and goal clarity significantly predict overall career adaptability gains among interns. These findings offer insights for designing effective internships that maximize professional growth and adaptability for college interns.
Learn more.

Forming Science Identity in Personal Networks: A Quantitative Study of Social Support for Latine Students. Understanding Latinx/e Students' Pathways To and Through Higher Education
2024-04-12 16:55 - 18:25
Kyoungjin Jang-Tucci, Ross Benbow, Nidia Banuelos
2024 AERA Annual Meeting
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Philadelphia, PA
Floor: Level 100, Room 103A

Anderson Lee - DeafTEC Ready: Unlocking Potential Among Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Students
2024-04-26 12:30 - 13:30 | Zoom
For the deaf and hard-of-hearing, getting considered for employment opportunities is a longstanding challenge. In the tech industry, their participation is even less so. What accounts for their under-representation? How can employers seeking tech talent be engaged? Which approaches work better than others? Session attendees, especially career services professionals and any employers present, will learn about CompTIA’s partnership with the Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf to certify and place deaf and hard-of-hearing students into paid training-related roles. Obstacles, setbacks, and successes will be shared, and as approaches continue to be developed as well as tried, session attendees will also be invited to share their experiences in a collegial and open setting.
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Dr. Ran Liu & Dr. Mindi Thompson - Not All Internships are Created Equal
2024-05-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
In this webinar, Dr. Ran Liu and Dr. Mindi Thompson delve into the critical disparities characterizing college students’ internship experiences and outcomes, focusing on differences in supervision quality, student satisfaction, paid vs. unpaid internships, and their impacts on career outcomes. Synthesizing findings from CCWT’s college internship study, data from the National Survey of College Internships (NSCI), and other literature, we discuss how these disparities also vary according to students’ socio-demographic backgrounds. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the prevalence of internship disparities and actionable insights on strategies to promote equitable internship experiences for all students.
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Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves - Confronting Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome
2024-09-18 11:30 - 12:30 | Zoom
Stop the cycle of continuous self-doubt and “auditioning” at work and learn to embrace and activate talent.
In this interactive webinar, Jodi will help participants put these challenges in perspective and develop proactive strategies and mindsets to move past them. She will lead a discussion about:

How gender and other systems intersect with perfectionism and imposter syndrome, and how these challenges can keep you stuc
How to identify workplace triggers and develop a growth mindset.
Developing self-awareness and learning habits of self-reflection and self-regulation to let go of perfectionism.
Identifying anti-perfectionism strategies like delegation, help-seeking, mutual empowerment team building, identifying and leveraging key strengths, and practicing self-compassion.

CCWT 2024 Fall Conference
2024-10-10 08:00 - 17:00 | Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
SAVE THE DATE!

If your department or institution will send multiple attendees, consider becoming a sponsor to save money! Sponsorship includes recognition of your support in various ways. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Dr. Mica Estrada - Transforming Leadership Through Kindness & Community
2024-10-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
We have many opportunities to change patterns of exclusion and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM). With this in mind, Dr. Estrada will describe findings from her research program in which she has longitudinally tracked and examined what types of mentorship, training experiences, and supports that result in students integrating into their professional fields and persisting in STEM career pathways. Her research focuses on the experiences of persons historically excluded because of ethnicity and race. Further, she will offer practical exercises that educators and institutions can use to increase kindness cues that affirm social inclusion in our daily lives.

Lauren Contreras - "It's Something Out of My Imagination”: Latina Undergraduates Envisioning the Future Through Testimonio
2024-10-24 11:30 - 12:30 | Zoom
Join Dr. Lauren Contreras for a discussion of her research in which Latina undergraduates use testimonios and first-person narrative vision boards to process the oppression they have faced within higher education. Learn how these students affirmed their higher education aspirations and came to believe their dreams could become a reality, leading to the healing of their bodymindspirit. This webinar will help higher education professionals learn to better understand Latina undergraduate experiences with oppression and their aspirations, giving them knowledge and skills to create programs and policies that ameliorate the struggles they face and support their dreams.

Lydia Odegard - Promoting Language Skills in Career Development
2024-11-05 12:30 - 13:30
Language abilities are an incredible asset for job seekers – regardless of their career interest!
In this webinar, University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Lydia Odegard, Language Directions Specialist at the Language Institute, will discuss how she coaches students to help them learn how to “wow” employers by communicating skills they’ve learned through language study and by creating a personal brand that highlights their language skills and international experiences.

ASHE Conference - Join Us!
2024-11-21 10:30 - 2024-11-23 11:30 | 2024 ASHE, Hilton Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States

WEBINAR: Work Based Learning: Paving the Way for Career Success through a General Education Course
2025-01-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Wed | Jan 29, 2025 @ 12 – 1 pm CT
Work Based Learning: Paving the Way for Career Success through a General Education Course
Dr. Mita Banerjee & Kaila Bingen
Register HERE
When structural barriers prevent students from participating in internships, institutions of higher education can offer alternative solutions to ensure equitable opportunities for all learners. This session will explore the conception, implementation, and continuous evaluation of a new experiential learning course that meets general education requirements. Utilizing a mixed-method design, presenters will share early positive outcomes from the UWP 294: Work-Based Learning course demonstrating how students develop crucial career readiness skills that enhance their future professional prospects. Utilizing a course model based on NACE career readiness competencies and best practices in experiential learning, participants will learn how students’ current work experiences scaffolded with relevant coursework can serve as a viable alternative to internships.

WEBINAR: Confronting Perfectionism & Imposter Syndrome
2025-02-04 12:30 - 13:30 | Zoom
Tue | Feb 4, 2025 @ 12:30 – 1:30 pm CT
Confronting Perfectionism & Imposter Syndrome
Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves
Register HERE
Stop the cycle of continuous self-doubt and “auditioning” at work and learn to embrace and activate talent.
In this interactive webinar, Jodi will help participants put these challenges in perspective and develop proactive strategies and mindsets to move past them. She will lead a discussion about:

How gender and other systems intersect with perfectionism and imposter syndrome, and how these challenges can keep you stuck.
How to identify workplace triggers and develop a growth mindset.
Developing self-awareness and learning habits of self-reflection and self-regulation to let go of perfectionism.
Identifying anti-perfectionism strategies like delegation, help-seeking, mutual empowerment team building, identifying and leveraging key strengths, and practicing self-compassion.

WEBINAR: Thomas Le - Associations Between Discrimination & First-Generation College Students’ Belonging and Academic Well-Being
2025-03-11 13:30 - 14:30 | Zoom
Tue | Mar 11, 2025 @ 1:30 – 2:30 pm CT
Associations Between Discrimination & First-Generation College Students’ Belonging and Academic Well-Being
Thomas Le
Register HERE
Dr. Thomas Le will outline a research study that examined discrimination’s association with academic well-being among first-generation college students during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. This talk will review the role of social belonging and university attachment and provide strategies to support the wellbeing of first-generation college students as they navigate college environments.

WEBINAR: Artificial Intelligence, Real-World Experience: How Experiential Learning Creates Opportunities for All Students to be Prepared for the Future of Work
2025-03-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Mon | Mar 17, 2025 @ 1:00 – 2:00 pm CT
Artificial Intelligence, Real-World Experience: How Experiential Learning Creates Opportunities for All Students to be Prepared for the Future of Work
Marquise McGriff
Register HERE
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various industries is undeniable. This session will explore how the University of Florida (UF) has successfully piloted experiential learning initiatives to prepare students from all majors for the AI-integrated workforce. These initiatives ensure that all students have the opportunity to develop needed AI competencies, allowing even those not focused on STEM fields and those who don’t know how to code to engage meaningfully with AI. Participants will gain insights into UF’s comprehensive approach to integrating AI across the curriculum to prepare students for the future of work, which includes research-based scholar programs, professional immersion activities, and creative immersive experiences. By connecting students with real-world AI applications, UF ensures that all graduates are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of industry. Participants will learn about the different experiential learning opportunities piloted at UF that integrate AI into the curriculum; explore how UF’s AI Scholars Program has enabled students from all backgrounds to engage deeply with AI through research, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills; explore how UF’s AI Career Treks offer students in-person and first-hand experience with AI in real-world work settings, enhancing their practical knowledge and employability regardless of their major; discover how UF’s AI Days allow students to engage in hackathons, pitch competitions, and generative AI competitions, encouraging innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, even for those without a coding background; and have a toolkit of actionable ideas and best practices, inspired by UF’s pilot programs, to create AI-engaged experiential learning opportunities at their institutions, ensuring that all students are prepared for the future workforce.

WEBINAR: Dr. Mindi Thompson - Designing Meaningful and Evidence-Based College Internships
2025-04-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Designing Meaningful and Evidence-Based College Internships
Mindi Thompson
Register HERE
In this webinar, CCWT’s Executive Director Dr. Mindi Thompson will share what CCWT and other scholars working in the college internship space have learned from students about college internships and elements that contribute to positive internship experiences. Mindi will summarize research findings, share students’ perspectives, and highlight evidence to support best practices. She will share information about how we used this evidence to develop and launch CCWT’s inaugural internship program. Participants will gain a better understanding of current knowledge and learn strategies to design meaningful internship opportunities for all students.

CCWT Fall Conference Registration Opens
2025-06-01
Register at: https://uwmadison.eventsair.com/ccwt-2025-fall-conference/registration/Site/Register

Tune In to Strive Out Facilitator Institute
2025-06-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
This 3-hour Institute will guide you in delivering CCWT’s innovative Tune In to Strive Out program. Based on career development theory and research, the program is grounded in a radical healing framework.
Becoming a Facilitator will empower you to help students:

De-mystify the career development process, helping students to view it as an active, ongoing process across the lifespan
De-stigmatize challenges experienced during career development & foster a sense of radical hope
Learn and practice concrete skills and strategies to increase self-awareness
Develop psycho-social skills to enable students to navigate career decisions and transitions

What’s included?

3 Continuing Education hours toward any NCDA credential
Access to CCWT’s facilitator portal, which contains the curriculum and resources

Learn more or register at: https://ccwt.wisc.edu/tune-facilitators/

CCWT 2025 Fall Conference
2025-11-06 08:00 - 2025-11-07 12:00 | UW Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
More details coming soon!

A Conversation with Ann Franz, Executive Director of NEW Manufacturing Alliance
2026-01-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Register: bit.ly/4jEaq60
Join us to explore insights and best practices from NEW Manufacturing Alliance, including:

Internship Draft Day@ Lambeau Field
Vitality Study results
Projections and potential solutions for talent & skills shortages

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how innovative strategies are shaping the future of manufacturing workforce development!

Student Voices, Stronger Internships: New Internship Resources & the Interns Who are Helping Refine Them
2026-03-11 13:15 - 14:15 | Zoom
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 @ 1:15 – 2:15 pm CST
Student Voices, Stronger Internships: New Internship Resources & the Interns Who are Helping Refine Them
Presenters: Dr. Mindi Thompson and Missy Clemens with CCWT interns Nadia Choi & Suchita Hothur
Register: bit.ly/3O2CfJg
Join us to explore new CCWT resources in development, featuring insights from our student interns!
