2024 GlobEYs
EY Global Career Services Summit Awards
“EY is proud to support the Global Career Services Summit”
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE 2024 EY GLOBAL CAREER SERVICES SUMMIT AWARDS
The Bob Athwal and Tom Devlin Founder’s Award for Innovation
University of Galway (Ireland) for the University of Galway Employability Award
Marie Laffey, Head of the Career Development Centre
The Employability Award, initiated in 2017, has evolved into the Career Development Centre’s flagship employability program, fostering essential skills and lifelong career development. Comprising five pillars aligned with Universal Design for Learning (UDL), including workshops, work experience, skills workshops, career events, and reflective deliverables, it emphasizes industry engagement to bridge academia-industry gaps. With over 5000 student engagements and 2200+ awards conferred, it’s projected to reach 350 completions by May 2024, with feedback indicating heightened confidence and employability among students, and increased preparedness noted by employers. Annual surveys and a dedicated Steering Committee ensure ongoing program enhancement to meet evolving student and employer needs, providing a transformative journey for students in navigating the job market and achieving career aspirations.
Best Student Program
Brandeis University (USA) for Supporting Students and Improving Career Fairs Outcomes
Jon Schlesinger, Executive Director, Hiatt Career Center
Hiatt has revolutionized career fairs by prioritizing the student experience, integrating both in-person and virtual formats with a focus on equity, inclusion, and comprehensive support. Their approach encompasses pre, during, and post-event assistance, emphasizing industry-specific recruiting, collaboration with other universities for diverse representation, and special support for students including registration events with breakfast and staff guidance, alumni representation for networking, and low-barrier preparation events. By collaborating with internal and external partners and implementing proactive student support measures, they achieved remarkable results including significant decreases in no-show rates, increased attendance, and improved student engagement and employer satisfaction. Their adaptable model emphasizes replicability, making it suitable for implementation across various university settings.
Best Faculty Program
University of Connecticut (USA) for the Elevate & Engage: Enhancing Your Career Champion Program
Jim Lowe, Associate Vice Provost, Center for Career Development
The Center for Career Development at the University of Connecticut oversees a robust Career Champion Program involving over 700 faculty and staff members. Recognizing the diverse needs of these champions, the Career Everywhere Team has continuously adapted and enriched the program to align with the evolving career landscape. Tailored learning opportunities and a liaison model have been implemented to address specific needs and foster collaboration, resulting in a significant increase in presentation requests from faculty. The annual Career Everywhere Conference facilitates networking and knowledge sharing among champions, with recent focus on competencies attracting nearly 100 attendees. Additionally, the integration of career competencies into the curriculum enhances the student experience by infusing career readiness concepts into classroom activities.
Best University Employer Partnership
University of Oregon – Lundquist College of Business (USA) for Professional Edge
Professional Edge offers short courses to equip students with contemporary skills vital in today’s job market, aiming to set them apart from other applicants. Participants benefit from guidance based on current business trends, gaining practical tools and narratives to enhance their career prospects. Upon completion, students earn a micro-credential from the University of Oregon. Additionally, the program collaborates with industry partners to deliver workshops, case-style assignments, and site visits, fostering meaningful engagement between students and organizations while facilitating internship and job opportunities. This integration of employers into the student experience benefits both parties by enhancing branding, engagement, and talent identification.
Best Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Program
University of East London (UK) for Diversity of Thought Programme
Cherise Basslian, Director of Careers and Student Enterprise
The ‘Diversity of Thought’ (DoT) Employer Partnership Programme aims to address the challenges faced by marginalized university students in accessing top-tier graduate job opportunities. Through consultation with students, staff, and industry, common barriers such as unfamiliarity with competitive selection processes were identified. Partnering with companies like AWS, Siemens, and Barclays, the program offers tailored mentoring, exposure to professional environments, and work experience to build students’ social capital and industry knowledge. Impact studies at UEL revealed significant increases in highly skilled employment for students accessing mentoring, particularly in their second year. With 20 DoT partners onboard and plans for further expansion, the program seeks to inspire sector-wide advancements in diversity recruitment and retention practices.
The Kathy Sims Mentoring Award
Paul Blackmore
The recipient is Paul Blackmore, Divisional Head, Student Employability & Academic Success at the University of Exeter (UK)
This award acknowledges a member of the Global Career Services community who shares their knowledge and expertise to advise, support, or guide another colleague’s professional development.