By Mark Woolsey

A partnership between Kennesaw State University and a major employer
has been strengthened- much to the benefit of students needing help as
they launch their careers.

The school’s Department of Career Planning and Development recently
landed a $25,000 grant from the  Enterprise Mobility Foundation.
Enterprise provides services ranging from car rental to fleet
management to vehicle technology services.

That pleases KSU career planning department director Tom Vecchione, as
it affirms a partnership going back at least a decade,

“We have a great relationship with them,” says Vecchione, who lauds
the company for what he calls “an “extraordinary commitment in
supporting the next generation of diverse talent.”

He says the grant money will be used to build on the department’s
training and development programming and initiatives for students
looking to jump-start their careers. It may also be used for hardware
to aid in the training process.

The career and development director says they concentrate on various
programming efforts, he says like preparing students for career fairs,
as well as providing guidance on resumes, career planning and job
search strategies.

“We emphasize to students that do some research on the companies
they’re approaching,” Vecchione, “We also make sure their social media
presence is going to serve them well.”

He adds they also provide guidance on working up students’ LinkedIn
profiles and helping them to match the content of their resumes to
them.

The relationship has been a two-way street, indicated school and
Enterprise officials. Not only has Enterprise Mobility given the
school a series of grants to help KSU level up its job and career
development programs, the school’s Partners in Success program has
been linked to “dozens and dozens” of KSU graduates being placed
within various departments at Enterprise. Many others have landed
top-flight internships.

About 25 organizations take part in the partnership success program,
said school officials.