Case study · Strategic research
Centering the student voice
An engagement strategy for career events, built from 38 surveys and more than 50 conversations with peers.
38
student surveys, plus 50+ peer conversations
- Role
- Career Liaison Gigintern
- With
- AMA / SEASA
- Method
- Surveys + peer interviews
01
The strategic shift
“We register for the career fairs but honestly, they feel like speed dating where no one is actually listening. We want sessions that feel like a roadmap, not a commercial.”
From promotion to insight
Moving from “spreading the word” to “decoding the disconnect.”
Peer-to-peer feedback
Gathering raw feedback from AMA members and class peers.
The goal
Three to five actionable steps that make events worth the time.
02
Who are we serving?
- Sophomores34.2%
Active seekers
- Juniors31.6%
Internship focus
- Seniors23.7%
Job ready
- Freshmen10.5%
Exploring
03
The no-show anatomy
Why students register for an event but don’t attend:
“The email reminders don’t tell me what I should bring. I end up not going because I don’t want to look silly showing up without a resume or a specific question.”
04
Ideal timing
- Prefer Wednesday
- 61%
- Prefer Tuesday
- 55%
- Friday participation
- −70%
Evening block
5:00–6:30 PM is the “golden window” that avoids class conflicts.
Lunch block
12:00–1:30 PM for high-impact “Power Hour” workshops.
Avoid Fridays
Participation drops by 70% as students focus on personal time.
05
What students are asking for
The tech–finance intersection
Students in dual-interest majors (Accounting + MIS) feel generic events lack technical depth. They asked for:
- Data analytics in audit (Excel, SQL, Tableau)
- Leveraging AI in financial services
- Big 4 technical interview simulations
“I don’t need another “how to wear a suit” talk. Show me how a Senior Auditor at EY actually uses Tableau.”
International student needs
For international students, Career Center events are a must-attend, but only if they address the complexity of the US market.
Logistics and strategy
High demand for CPT/OPT timeline workshops, paired with “how to pitch your unique value” sessions.
Direct connections
A preference for recruiters from global-friendly firms like JPMC, EY, and specialized consultancies.
06
Recommendation roadmap
Micro-event shift
Replace general presentations with 30-minute “Power Hours” and small-group coffee chats of no more than 15 students.
The pre-event pack
Include a three-point cheat sheet in every reminder: what to bring, who is coming, and three sample questions.
Org integration
Host events at student org meetings (AMA, SEASA) instead of expecting students to come to the Career Center.
Building a student-centered future, together.
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