Collaboration at it’s Best:Collaboration at it’s Best: Career Services, Alumni Relations Career Services, Alumni Relations

and Developmentand Development

Sharon HeronSharon Heron

Sara Nagel NewbergSara Nagel Newberg

St. Paul Campus Career CenterSt. Paul Campus Career Center

University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota

Presentation ObjectivesPresentation Objectives

Consider the benefits Consider the benefits of and barriers to of and barriers to strong partnerships.strong partnerships.

Identify conditions Identify conditions which foster healthy, which foster healthy, productive productive partnerships.partnerships.

Present and identify Present and identify best practices best practices

About the St. Paul Campus About the St. Paul Campus Career CenterCareer Center

Reports centrallyReports centrally Serves three St. Paul Colleges, including Serves three St. Paul Colleges, including

the College of Food, Agricultural and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource SciencesNatural Resource Sciences

Collaboration is key to staying connected to Collaboration is key to staying connected to the colleges we serve.the colleges we serve.

Why Collaborate?Why Collaborate?

Increased return on Increased return on investmentinvestment

Bring new skill sets Bring new skill sets and perspectives to the and perspectives to the workwork

Expand reach, broaden Expand reach, broaden contact basecontact base

Efficiencies, cost Efficiencies, cost savingssavings

Survey Results: Survey Results: How do NAADA members collaborate?How do NAADA members collaborate?

21 respondents, 21 respondents, representative of all representative of all advancement advancement functionsfunctions

Most meet 10 or more Most meet 10 or more times/year with other times/year with other areas and areas and communicate weekly communicate weekly or monthlyor monthly

Survey Results: Survey Results: Top benefits of collaboration?Top benefits of collaboration?

Better relationships with key audiencesBetter relationships with key audiences Improved outcomes of work (placement, Improved outcomes of work (placement,

admissions, retention, engagement of admissions, retention, engagement of alumni, scholarships, sponsorships, giving)alumni, scholarships, sponsorships, giving)

Improved efficiencyImproved efficiency Image of the institutionImage of the institution

What are the qualities of a good partnership?

Six Attributes of Leadership Six Attributes of Leadership Skills for PartneringSkills for Partnering

Future orientation in decision-makingFuture orientation in decision-making Comfort with changeComfort with change Win-win orientationWin-win orientation Comfort with interdependenceComfort with interdependence Ability to trustAbility to trust Self-disclosure and feedbackSelf-disclosure and feedback

From Partnering Intelligence, Stephen Dent, 1999

Partnering Stressors ChecklistPartnering Stressors Checklist

1. I am uncomfortable giving up control.1. I am uncomfortable giving up control. 2.  I do not feel I can totally trust my partner.2.  I do not feel I can totally trust my partner. 3.  Partnerships feel like too much work.3.  Partnerships feel like too much work. 4.  Partnerships create too much conflict.4.  Partnerships create too much conflict. 5.  Partnerships never get anything accomplished.5.  Partnerships never get anything accomplished. 6.  Depending on another person creates stress for me.6.  Depending on another person creates stress for me. 7.  I dislike having to discuss things about myself.7.  I dislike having to discuss things about myself.

From Partnering Intelligence, Stephen Dent, 1999

Survey Results: Survey Results: Barriers to collaboration?Barriers to collaboration?

Time/staffingTime/staffing Communication/means of sharing contactsCommunication/means of sharing contacts Different missions/purposesDifferent missions/purposes MoneyMoney

Easy winsEasy wins

In small groups, brainstorm some strategies In small groups, brainstorm some strategies to enrich collaboration with your to enrich collaboration with your advancement partners in 10 minutes per advancement partners in 10 minutes per month. month.

Share 1-2 examples with large group.Share 1-2 examples with large group.

Questions to ask yourself before Questions to ask yourself before entering (formal) partnershipsentering (formal) partnerships

Is there a common mission, vision, process?Is there a common mission, vision, process? How much time/money/effort will be How much time/money/effort will be

required?required? Will there be adequate return on Will there be adequate return on

investment?investment? Is it really a partnership? An assist? A Is it really a partnership? An assist? A

favor? favor? Do we need an agreement in writing?Do we need an agreement in writing?

Best Practices CategoriesBest Practices Categories

Career education for studentsCareer education for students Fostering industry partnershipsFostering industry partnerships Leveraging TechnologyLeveraging Technology Career Needs of AlumniCareer Needs of Alumni

Career EducationCareer Education

Career PanelsCareer Panels– Bio-Business Networking Bio-Business Networking – Environmental PanelEnvironmental Panel– Food Industry NetworkingFood Industry Networking

Mentor programMentor program Industry toursIndustry tours Grad profilesGrad profiles

Grad ProfileGrad Profile

Building Constituent RelationsBuilding Constituent Relations

Joint meetings with donors/employersJoint meetings with donors/employers Washington Internship ProgramWashington Internship Program Industry scholarshipsIndustry scholarships Alumni survey informationAlumni survey information Alumni letterAlumni letter

Leveraging TechnologyLeveraging Technology

ListservsListservs Linked-InLinked-In FacebookFacebook Building BridgesBuilding Bridges Donor Management System (DMS)Donor Management System (DMS)

Volunteer DatabaseVolunteer Database

Career Needs of AlumniCareer Needs of Alumni

Career servicesCareer services GoldpassGoldpass Career fairsCareer fairs First Thursday Network (FTN)First Thursday Network (FTN) Alumni Survey/Senior SaluteAlumni Survey/Senior Salute "You've Graduated, What Now?""You've Graduated, What Now?"

PROCESSING ACTIVITYPROCESSING ACTIVITY

YOUR CHANCE TO COMPETE!YOUR CHANCE TO COMPETE! Break into small groupsBreak into small groups Share your partnership best practicesShare your partnership best practices Present top ideas to the groupPresent top ideas to the group Large group votes for most innovative Large group votes for most innovative There will be prizes!There will be prizes!