Connection. Integration. Empowerment.
These three pillars have guided Ball State University’s Career Center to help students achieve their dreams, establish fulfilling careers, and live meaningful lives.
By supporting thousands of students through a strong network of connections, resources, and distinctive professional development opportunities, the Career Center has earned national recognition.
The Career Center was honored with the Career Services Pursuit of Excellence Award from the Career Leadership Collective. This unsolicited award highlights the Career Center’s commitment to innovative, high-impact services that prepare students for meaningful careers.
“We are honored to receive the Career Services Pursuit of Excellence Award from the Career Leadership Collective,” said Jim McAtee, assistant vice president and executive director for career and professional development at Ball State. “This recognition celebrates our innovative career and connection ecosystem, which empowers every student with industry competencies, career support, industry connections, and transformative opportunities, maximizing the ROI of their higher education and setting a national standard for career development excellence.”
This annual award is for campuses that embody a holistic and long-standing commitment and pursuit of excellence in career services while exuding a high commitment to growth and quality in career services strategic planning, career staff leadership development, career outcomes data analysis and visualization, scaled and equitable career services, and career team professional development.
And it is no surprise that the Career Center flourishes in each category with its strategic initiatives connecting students, faculty, employers, industry groups, and others while also providing typical career-related student support, including on-campus student employment.
“The Ball State Career Center is no stranger to national awards,” Mr. McAtee said. “We don’t innovate for recognition; we innovate for impact. However, we should celebrate when our peers across the country recognize our work with an unsolicited award. Thank you to all our partners who make the career and connection ecosystem work at Ball State!”
Student Success
When Jack Ashby, ’25, was a sophomore at Ball State, he began to explore internships and opportunities in sports media.
Already enrolled in the award-winning Sports Link program, Mr. Ashby had the connections to help get his foot in the door, but he knew he needed help taking the next step in preparing for a fulfilling career.
When Mr. Ashby stepped inside Ball State’s Career Center, he was greeted with dedicated 1-on-1 mentoring from Shawn Carmichael, assistant director of mentoring, to help him navigate the process.
“Shawn really helped me navigate the process of finding internships and prepare my resume and LinkedIn profile,” Mr. Ashby said. “He was also someone that I could rely on and ask for feedback when it came to building my resume, honing my interview skills, and preparing my negotiation tactics for when the time was right.”
Mr. Ashby landed a part-time position with the Indiana Pacers and Fever, where he now works as a video editor.
“The Career Center was pivotal in my success beyond Ball State, and where I see myself down the line when it comes to my future in sports media,” he said.
Hope Churchill, ’25, had a similar experience throughout her four years that significantly shaped her academic and professional journey.
She felt “fortunate” to be introduced to the Career Center during her first semester through the SOAR classes in the Miller College of Business. That early exposure, she said, “laid the foundation for my proactive engagement with the Career Center’s wide range of services.”
“One of the most impactful resources I utilized was career coaching,” said Ms. Churchill, who also was selected by former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to serve as the student representative on Ball State’s Board of Trustees. “Through personalized sessions, I was able to better understand my strengths, interests, and long-term goals. These conversations helped me uncover my passion for the interpersonal and communication aspects of business, which ultimately led me to change my minors to human resources and communication studies. This shift aligned my coursework with my interests and clarified the type of roles I wanted to pursue after graduation.”
This individualized guidance has helped hundreds of Ball State students integrate their education, self-awareness, and experiences to empower a lifetime of career achievement and personal satisfaction.
“Overall, the Ball State Career Center played a critical role in my development, helping me bridge the gap between academic learning and professional application,” Ms. Churchill said. “The support, guidance, and opportunities I received not only enhanced my college experience but also prepared me to confidently take the next step in my career journey.”
