Career Partners Summer Institute Program 2026
Join an interdisciplinary community of faculty who are looking for innovative ways to bring career into the classroom! This 15-hour program will introduce career readiness concepts, explore exemplary practices for integrating career into the classroom, and redesign a key assignment for the upcoming semester.
Participants will receive a $750 stipend after completion of the program in August.
Consider applying if you think...
Your course content has real-world applicability beyond the classroom (and want your students to see that, too)
Students in your major can follow a wide range of career pathways (even if you aren’t quite sure what those may be)
- Faculty should confidently engage students in conversations about career and offer support (and you'd like to know more about what resources are out there)
Apply Here!(Conversations with applicants will begin March 30-April 3)
Know someone that might be interested? Download a flyer and share!
Program Schedule (Updated/detailed schedule coming February 13)
Tuesday, May 19; 10 AM - 2 PM (in person): Overview and Introduction to Career Readiness
Wednesday, May 20; 10 AM - 2 PM (in person): Integrating Career Readiness in the Classroom
Thursday, May 21 10 AM - 2 PM (in person): Exploring Career Readiness and Career Pathways
June-July (virtual): Meet with partner and Greta Perel (Manager of Academic Engagement, Career Center)
Tuesday, Aug 13; 1 PM - 4 PM (in person): Career Readiness Assignment Showcase and Reception
Objectives
- Engage with career readiness concepts and relate to classroom content
- Explore the diversity of career choices and pathways through data and networking resources
- Reflect on barriers and assumptions about career readiness
- Discuss challenges, exemplary practices, and practical methods for integrating career readiness into the classroom
- Implement career readiness programming on department level and/or integrate into classroom assignments
What did the 2025 Career Partners Say?
"Thank you so much again for organizing such a fabulous workshop. I feel like it should be mandatory for all faculty to participate in it. It was incredibly eye-opening, enriching, and motivating. We left the workshop segment with concrete ideas and resources that make integrating career readiness on macro and micro levels doable and manageable."
“I had my mind blown and enjoyed it immensely. I did not know what I did not know, and this was so helpful and motivating and inspiring.”
“Great to hear real experiences and ideas that can be incorporated in my department and classes, can’t wait to share info with my colleagues!”
“I appreciated the resources and hearing about challenges others are experiencing; not feeling alone is great.”
Check out the 2025 Career Partners!
Outcomes
- Increase student satisfaction with major by helping faculty integrate career readiness into the classroom
- Create interdisciplinary faculty support community
- Develop strategic, deliberate connection between classroom content and career skills/strengths
Requirements
- (Preferred, but not required) Teaching a 3-credit course (or higher) within your department (not cross-listed or First-year/Transfer experience courses; course level 200 or above)
- Must be able to attend all meetings, in person or virtual as listed above (5 meetings total from May-Aug)
- Take a brief pre- and post-survey to determine baseline knowledge and program outcomes
Space is limited to 15 participants. Open to more than one faculty member from a department!
Tenure-track and non-tenure track professors in both CLAS and professional schools are welcome to apply. No prior career knowledge or experience required.
Questions? Please contact Greta Perel, Manager of Academic Engagement at the Career Center (gperel@ku.edu) for more information.