Professional Standards
for College & University Career Services
XII. ETHICS
All persons involved in the delivery of career services to students adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior as set forth in the “Career Services Professionals” section of the NACE Principles for Professional Conduct as well as any additional professional standards and/or codes that may apply. In addition to adherence to these standards, leaders/managers proactively provide guidance and education on these standards to all persons involved in providing career services, including, but not limited to, entry-level professionals, support staff, student staff, interns, graduate assistants, faculty, and other administrators.
XIII. PROGRAM EVALUATION, ASSESSMENT, AND RESEARCH
Systematic quantitative and qualitative program evaluations are conducted in support of career services’ mission and goals. Although methods of assessment vary, a sufficient range of measures are employed to maintain objectivity and comprehensiveness. Data collected include responses from students, employers, and other affected constituencies.
Core program evaluation includes:
- Annual review of goal completion.
- Quantitative evaluation via user data for programs and services.
- Career services-wide qualitative student satisfaction and feedback surveys.
- Program-specific qualitative assessment via student satisfaction and feedback surveys.
- Student needs-based surveys.
Additional assessment and research may include:
- Graduating student (first destination) and alumni surveys.
- Benchmarking-comparative surveys.
- Empirically based outcome research.
Evaluation results are used in revising and improving programs, services, and staff performance. In order for institutions to employ comparable methods for evaluation, resources such as The NACE Sourcebook for Conducting Evaluations and Measurements of Career Services are consulted. Career services offices collaborate with institutional research units, state agencies, accrediting bodies, academic graduate programs, and other evaluative groups that generate and assess evaluation information.
Career services prepares and disseminates annual reports as well as special program evaluation reports addressing career services mission, goals, programs and services activities/outcomes, and graduate follow-up information. Career services gathers, participates in, and/or conducts relevant research on career development; academic success; institutional issues such as admissions and retention; student learning; employment trends; and career interests.
