Creating Career Success: A Flexible Plan for the World of Work

Today's workplace is a dynamic, ever-changing environment. Job security is a thing of the past, layoffs are common, and people change jobs and careers frequently. Students need to be prepared to adapt to the unexpected twists and turns they may face. CREATING CAREER SUCCESS helps students develop a self-directed, proactive, flexible plan to launch and manage their careers over the years to come, using the latest technological resources and job search strategies. Through a process of self-assessment, career exploration, and self-promotion students discover how to connect their skills, interests and values to a variety of possible careers, build relationships, and present themselves in the best possible light to potential employers. Most importantly, students are encouraged to keep their minds and options open, and to engage themselves fully in the career development process.

Debra J. Stark, MA, is the Assistant Director of Employer Relations and Alumni Career Advisor at Ramapo College of New Jersey, where she has worked since 1996. In this role she advises both students and alumni, maintains the order and collection development of the Career Resource Center, administers and creates career development instruction modules for First Year students, teaches the upper level Career Achievement Program, and oversees the center''s career management system. Debra has made significant contributions through service on several college-wide committees including the Middle States Steering Committee. Debra has presented nationally and internationally for student and professional audiences on a variety of career topics. She is also an adjunct professor in the School of American and International Studies..Prior to her work with the Career Center, she was the Freshman Advisement and Registration Program Coordinator, packaging incoming freshman based on NJ Basic Skills Test results, assisting students in course selection, and evaluating and inputting transfer credits. Her experience outside of higher education includes international business, customer relations, and corporate training and development.Debra is associated with the following relevant associations: Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers, Metropolitan New York College Placement Officers Association, NJ Association of Colleges and Employers, Career Resource Managers Association, NY Association of Psychological Type, and the Middle Atlantic Career Counselor Association.

Jennifer Miller, MBA, MSED is an Associate Professor and Counselor in the Career and Internship Center at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) with over 11 years of experience in Career Counseling focusing on the fashion and related industries. She is very knowledgeable and passionate about sustainability and social media. In addition to counseling she taught Career Planning for several years and is currently teaching an internship course on Career Exploration. She is very active on her campus serving on numerous faculty, union and college-wide committees. She has been on the Executive Board of MNYCCPOA a New York area college career counselors organization for the past five years serving as Treasurer, Second Vice President and is currently the Historian. In addition, she is an active member of numerous career counseling focused professional organizations.Prior to working in career development she was the Director of Student Services at the French Culinary Institute in New York City for four years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York and she has two masters degrees; one in Guidance and Counseling from Hunter College in New York City, and one in Business Administration from Binghamton University.

Francine Fabricant, MA, EdM is a career counselor in private practice with over 12 years experience. She is a Lecturer at Hofstra University Continuing Education and an Adjunct Instructor at NYIT Extended Education. She also served as a career counselor at the Columbia University Center for Career Education and as a career counselor and part-time faculty member at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). She is a frequent speaker on career topics, and has developed numerous local and community-based career and job search programs. Her community-based workshops have been profiled in The New York Times. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Barnard College, Columbia University, as well as a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology and a Master of Education in Psychological Counseling, both from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Master Career Counselor (MCC), and a Board Certified Coach (BCC). Before entering the field of career development, she held positions in magazine editorial, public relations, and marketing.