How CareerCatalyst Turned NKU Student Experience Into Career Readiness
Most students are not missing potential. They are missing a structure that helps them understand their strengths, connect their experiences, and communicate their value with confidence.
At Northern Kentucky University, CareerCatalyst helped students move from career uncertainty to clearer direction, stronger professional language, and tangible job search assets they could use beyond the classroom.
Northern
Kentucky
University
From Career Confusion to Career Readiness
CareerCatalyst partnered with students at Northern Kentucky University's Haile College of Business through a structured career readiness experience that combined self-discovery, guided reflection, workbook support, live coaching, and professional deliverables.
The goal was not to give students generic career advice. The goal was to help them understand who they are, what they bring to the workforce, and how to position that value for resumes, interviews, LinkedIn, networking, and job placement.
Outcomes at a glance
82% Job Placement Momentum
Students that completed program in 2019 identified clearer career direction tied to strengths, values, work style, and landed in aligned roles.
100% Job Search Map
Students built practical readiness assets for resumes, cover letters, interviews, LinkedIn, networking, and job placement.
96% Visible Career Pathing
Test data of sampled group validated the broader need for institution-led career clarity and workforce readiness.
The Challenge
Students Needed Direction and Practical Support
Student Uncertainty
Students were moving through college without a clear sense of where they fit, what kind of work matched their strengths, or how to explain their value to employers.
Weak Direction
Many students described feeling reactive: taking classes, completing assignments, and hoping career clarity would eventually appear.
Career Anxiety
Students were worried about financial stability, job competition, speed to employment, and whether they were choosing a path that actually fit.
Need Clear Prep
Students needed more than a resume workshop. They needed a practical map for career pathing, interview language, networking, and job search execution.
Our Approach
A Guided Journey from Self-Discovery to Career Readiness
Student / Coaching Workshop
Students began with guided reflection and live coaching to slow down, name what they bring to the table, and connect their experiences to future direction.
CareerCatalyst Platform
Students completed structured exercises that helped organize their experiences, strengths, values, motivations, energizers, drainers, and goals.
Career Identity / Identity DNA
Students uncovered a clearer picture of how they show up at work, what environments fit them, and which professional patterns were already present.
Value Proposition
Students translated their identity into a clear value proposition that explained what they offer, why it matters, and how it connects to employer needs.
Job Search Map
Students built a practical plan for resumes, cover letters, interview stories, networking strategy, LinkedIn positioning, and aligned opportunities.
Career Pathway
Students connected their strengths, work style, and goals to clearer career paths and next steps they could pursue with more confidence.
Student Deliverables
Personalized Assets That Drive Results
Career Identity Profile
A personalized snapshot of strengths, values, and drivers.
Value Proposition
A clear statement of value that stands out.
Interview Cheat Sheet
Tailored talking points and common Q&A prep.
Resume / Cover Letter
Optimized documents that highlight impact.
LinkedIn Profile
A strong online presence that gets noticed.
Career Path Map
A visual roadmap of roles, skills, and next steps.
THE IMPACT
Real Change. Real Confidence. Real Results.
Clearer Direction
Students moved from uncertainty to clarity about who they are and where they're going.
BEFORE
AFTER
Stronger Professional Language
Students improved how they talk about their experience, skills, and value.
BEFORE
AFTER
Increased Confidence & Readiness
Students felt prepared to take action and pursue opportunities with confidence.
BEFORE
AFTER
Want these outcomes at your institution? Explore institutional partnerships or see how it works.
Let's Build Career-Ready Students Together
Partner with CareerCatalyst to equip your students with clarity, confidence, and a plan for what's next.
You can land the right career when you know how to position your value
Our members don't just land roles. They turn their experiences into tangible proof, position themselves for career paths and employers where they actually thrive. Here's what it looks like:
The CareerCatalyst program helped me craft an amazing resume, articulate my real life experience, and provided a sound s...
Katie Taylor
Producer, America's Best Restaurants
I just wanted to take a moment to share how deeply grateful I am for Will and Alexandra and everything they’ve built wit...
Divya Sarin
Regional Operations Manager
After working with the CareerCatalyst program, I had a much better sense of my purpose, skill set, and what I actually w...
Kayla Combs
Associate Designer, Abercrombie & Fitch
The CareerCatalyst program was an incredible resource to me while figuring out how to tell my story in an interview sett...
Alyssa Taylor, QPLS
Account Manager
The CareerCatalyst program was an incredible resource for me when navigating my personal goals and career readiness. Ale...
AnneMarie Linstead
Marketing Coordinator
Alex is THE BEST recruiter I’ve ever worked with, and I used to be a recruiter myself. She’s highly knowledgeable and pr...
Irma Prishker
Marketing Operations Manager
I was privileged to work with Will; he has a great deal of insight on the job market. Will was able to help me make deci...
Jacob Ortman, CPA
Senior Tax Associate
Alex is a very passionate, motivated, and caring individual. She dedicated her skillset to providing a course which enab...
Caroline Martin, AIC
Field Claims Representative
I was honestly so overwhelmed trying to figure out the job search. I didn’t know what companies wanted, what salary to e...
Deandra Atwood
Staff Accountant
Will and his whole staff at Path & Proof were first class to work with. I was in the process of interviewing with numero...
Eric Toepfer, CFP
Wealth Advisor
I had reached a point in my career where I wasn’t sure what direction to take. My current role wasn’t fulfilling, and th...
Matt Thompson, CPA
Senior Tax Manager
I cannot recommend Alex enough. She was paramount to my journey in discovering my professional goals and aspirations. I ...
Andrew Reynolds
Business Resident
Alex is very passionate about her work and cares about people looking to grow in their respective careers. She takes the...
Gabe Kremer
Sales Manager
Alex helped me secure a new position in less than half the time it usually takes. Alex was instrumental during the time ...
Enrique Guemez
Head Global Brand Health Tracking, Amazon
Alex has been a great partner throughout this journey. She not only gave me the tools I needed to face this challenging ...
Sebastian Donati
Senior Marketing Researcher
6 out of 6. That is the ratio of interviews that have moved onto the final rounds since Alex helped me reframe my experi...
Frederic Angus
Program Manager
I tend to feel unprepared walking into interviews, no matter how much prep work I do. The work I did with Will and the C...
Max Becker
Field Analyst