Owning Your Career Development, a New D2L Course for Current Students

What does it mean to “own” your career development?

Many students think career preparation starts in their final year of college when it’s time to apply for full-time jobs. However, career development begins the moment you start exploring who you are, what you value, and how your experiences connect to your future goals.

That’s exactly why I created this course.

Owning Your Career Development is a co-curricular learning experience designed to help you intentionally build the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed for career success. This course will provide practical tools to help you take the next step whether you’re still exploring majors and career options or already have a clear vision of your future, .

What You’ll Learn

Throughout this course, you’ll engage with content focused on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies, which represent key skills employers consistently seek in college graduates. These competencies include areas such as:

  • Career and Self-Developmetn
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Leadership
  • Professionalism
  • Teamwork
  • Technology

These are transferrable skills that will help you succeed in internships, student organizations, academic projects, and future careers regardless of your major.

Reflecting On Who You Are

Career exploration starts with self-awareness. You’ll complete self-assessments that encourage you to think about your strengths, interests, values, and experiences. Understanding yourself is one of the most important foundations for making informed decisions about majors, internships, career paths, and professional opportunities.

The more you learn about yourself, the better prepared you’ll be to communicate your unique value to employers and graduate schools.

Learn from Others

Career development is not something you do alone.

In this course, you will have opportunities to connect with fellow students through discussion forums where you can share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from different perspectives. These conversations can help you gain new insights while building a supportive learning community focused on personal and professional growth.

Preparing for the Job Search

The course also includes video-guided content covering important job application preparation materials. These resources are designed to help you build confidence and develop practical skills related to:

  • Resumes
  • Cover letters
  • Interview preparation
  • and others

You can complete these modules at your own pace while gaining valuable information that will support your future career goals.

Earn a Career Readiness Digital Badge

When you complete the required modules and activities, you’ll earn a Career Readiness Digital Badge that recognizes your commitment to professional development and career preparedness. This badge can be shared on professional platforms, including in digital portfolios, and showcased to employers as evidence of your engagement in developing career-ready skills.

Take Ownership of Your Future

Career development isn’t a single, isolated event. It’s an ongoing process of learning, reflecting, exploring, and growing. This course is an opportunity to invest in yourself, develop skills that employers value, and gain greater confidence in navigating your career path.

We invite you to approach each module with curiosity and an open mind. The value of this course increases with your level of effort and investment in your development.

Welcome to Owning Your Career Development. Dig in!

By Kevin Fullerton
Kevin Fullerton Director of Career Development