Northeastern receives global recognition in career services

Northeastern’s renowned Career Development department has earned global recognition for its work meeting students’ needs in career services and job preparation.

The university received the No. 1 Global Career Services Satisfaction Award at the inaugural Future Talent Summit in Stockholm last month.

The award was based on the results of student surveys. Northeastern received the highest student satisfaction score among the 100 universities from around the world that were invited to this year’s summit.

“Because it was students providing the information that determined the award, it makes it that much more special,” said Maria Stein, associate vice president of cooperative education and career development. “It’s always nice to be recognized by your peers, but they aren’t the ones using our services. Having the surveys go directly to the students who say we are doing a good job is important.”

The Future Talent Summit was a two-day event that convened stakeholders from colleges and universities, corporate businesses, and startups to examine and discuss the future of the global job market.

“As the number of international students at Northeastern grows and we send more students around the world for experiential opportunities, participation in global summits like this one and hearing employers’ needs allows us to better serve our students,” Stein said.

Because it was students providing the information that determined the award, it makes it that much more special.”
—Maria Stein

The award underscores the Career Development department’s nationally recognized work in meeting the professional needs of students and graduates alike. Since 2011, the department has been ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in career services by The Princeton Review.

The department provides guidance to students and graduates through programs and events that help them understand the world of work and connect them with potential employers.

Career Development holds one of the region’s largest career fairs twice a year, and provides a wide range of resources and tools to help students achieve career success. Husky Treks, for example, gives students the chance to tour some of the top organizations in Boston, including Boston Children’s Hospital, Liberty Mutual, and Google. The Reach (OUT) LGBTQA+ Career Conference, which received a national award earlier this year, brings together LGBTQA+ college students and industry professionals for robust discussions around career development and identity, networking, and successes and challenges in the workplace.

“We help students think about mentorship and networking, and not only why it is important, but how they do it, pick a mentor, and build a network,” Stein said.