Kansas State University

MANHATTAN — In an effort to provide students with the best career preparation program in the nation, the Kansas State University College of Business Administration has created a new Career Coach program. A nationwide search is underway to hire the college's first-ever lead career coach.

"Our biggest priority in the College of Business Administration at K-State is for our students to have successful, fulfilling careers," said Stacy Kovar, associate dean for academic programs. "Career coaches will assure that every student can succeed in finding an amazing career that is right for them."

Career coaches will provide a personal, industry-experienced component to career planning as part of Professional Advantage, the college's career support program, which includes the Executive Mentor program and an extensive schedule of professional development seminars taught by industry experts.

Based on careful assessment of the students' strengths and goals, the coaches will provide individualized and industry-specific advice to help students make decisions about how to prepare for their dream job. They also will assure the best companies are on campus, seeking to hire Kansas State University graduates.

"Career coaches will provide personal guidance to our students from professionals who have been there, recruiting from the types of companies seeking to hire our graduates," Kovar said. "This program will give us the exposure to attract more great companies to campus and assure our students have a world-class experience."

The new program is made possible with support from Paul and Sandra Edgerley, Brookline, Massachusetts, who have made a challenge-matching gift of $5 million to the College of Business Administration, matching donations to the program from other donors at 50 percent.

"The success of the university should be measured in whether we graduate students who have the skills and character to build a happy and productive life," Paul Edgerley said. "Sandy and I believe an enhanced career planning and coaching effort in the College of Business Administration is critical to support students in matching their strengths, interests and lifestyle preferences to selecting and preparing for the right career path and connecting them with the right first employer."

Julie and Roger Davis, Chicago, Illinois, are the first to accept the Edgerleys' challenge, giving $500,000 to the new Career Coach program. Those interested in contributing to the program may contact the Kansas State University Foundation at 785-532-6266.

The search is now underway for the lead career coach in the program, which will eventually include five full-time coaches when completely staffed. For more information on how to apply for the position, visit http://cba.k-state.edu/faculty-and-staff/employment-opportunities.html.