Stetson University’s 2014-19 Strategic Map, was presented at the university’s opening faculty and staff meeting held Wednesday, Aug. 20. “Strengthening Career Readiness and Graduate Success” was identified as a first-year priority within the Innovative Approaches to Tackling Complex Challenges. 

Tim Stiles, new executive director of Career Development and Academic Advising at Stetson University, is focusing on enhancing the internship experience for students while linking curricula and jobs. Stiles was attracted to Stetson by the high caliber of students, faculty and staff, he said, and the attention and support the Office of Career Development and Academic Advising receives from Stetson’s administration and Board of Trustees.

“What is most appealing about Stetson is the great work that has been done so far in Career Development and Academic Advising, but specifically the opportunity to improve and continue to innovate in this aspect of the university,” said Stiles. “Our job is trying to figure out how students make sense of their four years in the Stetson community, how they learn and grow, and translate that so that they become employed or get accepted to a graduate or professional school so they can further their career.

“I believe Stetson University is going in the right direction by investing resources into career development and in figuring out how our services fit into the academic side of things: how we can serve the faculty in their capacities in order to provide students with a more comprehensive education,” Stiles said.

Stiles identified the importance of complementing Stetson University’s curricula with career opportunities, specifically in the form of internship experiences. “We’ve been working a lot on the link between internships and the academic curricula,” he said. “A big portion of this is enhancing the experience of students who take internships for credit by ensuring quality supervision both from their employers on site and their faculty here at Stetson. The priority is to prepare students for their internships through general training and communicating with their employers to ensure they will have the best professional experience.”

Career Development and Academic Advising is also making a conscious effort to adapt Stetson University to the students’ needs in an increasingly global society by developing a Global Internship Program together with the World: International Learning office.

“We are very excited to integrate the international experience component with our internship programs,” said Stiles. “It will certainly allow us to work more efficiently with international students looking for domestic opportunities as well as domestic students to get their foot in the door overseas. This will be a good launchpad to diversify employment opportunities to our entire student body.”

For the past 14 years, Stiles has served in various roles in the Career Service Office at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Stiles has also worked in career-related roles at Franklin College, Indiana University and North Carolina State University.

By Michael van Oppen