Career Development Center prepares students for professional success
Kim Chaudoin |
At Lipscomb University, preparing students for life after graduation is a campus-wide commitment. The Career Development Center (Career Development Center) stands at the forefront of this effort, offering a robust slate of events and services designed to equip students for the job search process and connect them with employers.
Monica Wentworth
Career-Building Events
Throughout the academic year, the Career Development Center, which is housed in Lipscomb’s Learning Commons, organizes a variety of events tailored to meet the diverse needs of Lipscomb’s student body. From traditional career fairs to specialized networking and mock interview sessions for communications majors, the center ensures that every student has access to meaningful employer engagement.
“We always look for opportunities to engage employers in ways that make sense for each major,” said Monica Wentworth, director of Lipscomb’s Career Development Center. “For example, our communication mock interviews bring in alumni and professionals who may not be hiring for a specific job, but who can offer valuable feedback and networking opportunities. Students are often nervous beforehand, but afterward, they tell us how much they learned and how valuable the experience was.”
For creative majors like animation and film, the Career Development Center hosts portfolio days and pitch sessions, giving students the chance to showcase their work directly to industry professionals. Nursing and Bible majors benefit from targeted fairs held in the fall, aligning with hiring cycles in those fields. Wentworth said this customized approach ensures that every department’s unique needs are met, maximizing opportunities for both students and employers.
Mock interviews provides students opportunities to practice their skills.
Building Bridges to the Workforce
Over the past four years, Lipscomb has partnered with more than 550 employers, including Nissan, the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Predators, to provide transformative internships. In the 2024-25 academic year alone, 256 students completed internships with 201 employers, primarily in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Wentworth said employers consistently rate Lipscomb interns as exceptionally prepared: 96% were ranked exceptional in communication skills, 97% in professionalism and 91% in overall performance.
“Internships are mutually beneficial,” Wentworth explained. “Students gain hands-on experience and grow their skills by leaps and bounds, while employers build relationships with potential future hires. Our students are often more prepared professionally than 90% of their peers, according to internship supervisors.”
Beyond internships, Lipscomb tracks a wide range of relevant work experiences such as practicums, clinicals, student teaching, research labs and major class projects. In the past year, 42% of traditional undergraduates and 69% of juniors and seniors participated in at least one relevant work experience, with some colleges exceeding 80% participation.
Comprehensive Support
The Career Development Center’s services extend far beyond event planning. Students receive personalized guidance on résumé writing, interview preparation, job search strategies and salary negotiation. The center also offers career development courses and assessments to help students identify their strengths and explore potential industries.
“We start by helping students answer the question, ‘What do I want to be when I grow up?’” Wentworth said. “From career exploration to landing that first job and even beyond graduation, we’re here to support our students and alumni.”
“The Career Development Center’s holistic, personalized approach ensures that every Bison is prepared to thrive—both at Lipscomb and in the world beyond." — Monica Wentworth
Recent graduate Madison Shelton credits the Career Development Center with her successful transition to the workforce. “The Career Development Center played a crucial role in refining my interpersonal, interview and resume skills as I prepared for the real world,” Shelton said. “I owe much of my current success to the Career Development Team who generously shared their time, expertise and guidance with me. Their support truly made all the difference.”
Leading the Way in Career Outcomes
Lipscomb’s commitment to experiential learning and employer engagement has produced remarkable results. The Class of 2024 boasts a career outcome rate of 98.7%, one of the highest in university history and well above the national average of 84.7%. Wentworth said approximately 74% of graduates secured employment within six months, while 23% pursued graduate studies at top-tier institutions*.
“We are consistently pursuing employer engagement, collecting student data and analyzing outcomes so that we can better empower students,” Wentworth said. “This data helps us keep a finger on the pulse of an ever-changing market. We aim to educate students as they explore careers and support them as they enter the workforce.”
Students in the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts showcase their work to employers.
Recent graduate Madison Shelton credits the Career Development Center with her successful transition to the workforce. “The Career Development Center played a crucial role in refining my interpersonal, interview and resume skills as I prepared for the real world,” Shelton said. “I owe much of my current success to the Career Development Team who generously shared their time, expertise and guidance with me. Their support truly made all the difference.”
Leading the Way in Career Outcomes
Lipscomb’s commitment to experiential learning and employer engagement has produced remarkable results. The Class of 2024 boasts a career outcome rate of 98.7%, one of the highest in university history and well above the national average of 84.7%. Wentworth said approximately 74% of graduates secured employment within six months, while 23% pursued graduate studies at top-tier institutions*.
“We are consistently pursuing employer engagement, collecting student data and analyzing outcomes so that we can better empower students,” Wentworth said. “This data helps us keep a finger on the pulse of an ever-changing market. We aim to educate students as they explore careers and support them as they enter the workforce.”
A Model for Others
With more than 300 employers engaged through on-campus events and a growing network of alumni and industry partners, Lipscomb’s Career Development Center continues to set the standard for career services in higher education. In June, Lipscomb hosted colleagues from universities across the region for the Best Practices in Career Services Conference.
“The Career Development Center’s holistic, personalized approach ensures that every Bison is prepared to thrive—both at Lipscomb and in the world beyond,” concluded Wentworth.
For more information about the Career Development Center or to connect with Lipscomb talent, email careerdevelopment [at] lipscomb.edu (careerdevelopment[at]lipscomb[dot]edu) or click here.
*A small number of graduates belong in both the employment and graduate program category and were not counted twice, or choose to take a gap year. This is the cause of the disparity between the numbers 23% plus 54% and the total of 98.7% positive outcomes.