Updates from the Career Center of Excellence
May 2026
The Big Picture
This month marks an exciting moment for the Career Center of Excellence (CCOE). In just five months, we have laid a strong foundation — grounded in best practices, informed by data, and guided by a clear vision — to set the national standard for how a coordinated career ecosystem supports students across their full career journey.
We are already seeing how this vision is shaping how we partner with colleagues, engage employers, and connect students to career success.
This foundation is just the beginning. In this issue, we’re excited to share insights into industry sectors where opportunity is expanding for our students. At the same time, career centers across the country, including ours, are thoughtfully leveraging AI to enhance coaching practices, expand access, and help students translate their skills in an increasingly dynamic labor market.
The CCOE is excited to connect our campus partners with one another and amplify the strategies needed to meet this moment. To accelerate this work, our summer working groups will launch in June, bringing together experts from across campus and beyond to help shape what this ecosystem can and should become.
Our vision is ambitious because we’re helping to shape what comes next. Thank you for the leadership and partnership you bring to this work.
Tech talk and tools
NACE 2026 Career Services Benchmarking Poll
The NACE 2026 Career Services Benchmarking Poll highlights the increase in AI integration within college career centers, with 86% of institutions now using AI as an assistive tool, a jump from just 20% in 2023. This adoption is primarily focused on student-facing tasks, as 90% of centers utilize AI for interview preparation and a significant majority use it to help students craft resumes and cover letters. To support this transition, 55% of centers have already implemented guides and workshops to teach students how to use AI effectively, while 30% have adopted formal institutional guidelines to govern its use.
The report also highlights a shift in student advising driven by employer expectations, as 75% of employers are now raising AI-related skills in recruiting conversations for all types of jobs and industries. These discussions focus heavily on AI literacy and the ability to use tools for productivity rather than specialized technical roles. As a result, career advising has shifted toward emphasizing the importance of creating authentic job materials, with 64% of staff reporting that their conversations with students are now moderately or significantly focused on this issue. Furthermore, there is a strong emphasis on accuracy, as 68% of career center staff expressed concern regarding students receiving incorrect advice from unverified AI platforms.
Help your students and new graduates launch with Buckeyes Connect
As your newest Ohio State graduates step into the professional world, one of the most impactful resources you can equip them with is Buckeyes Connect, a micro‑mentoring and networking platform designed to help emerging Buckeye professionals build confidence, expand their networks, and make informed early‑career decisions. But its value extends beyond graduating students. Current students can also use the platform to explore, ask early career questions, and begin building professional habits that will serve them long after they leave campus.
Buckeyes Connect gives users direct access to a broad, diverse community of Ohio State alumni who are eager to share insights from their own career journeys about:
- Industries
- Job search
- Interviewing
- Workplace culture
- Career transitions
For anyone who feels overwhelmed or unsure about how to begin networking, the platform removes the pressure and replaces it with structure, support and genuine connection. Users simply ask a question, and the platform matches them with alumni who have relevant experience. These early, positive networking interactions help students build confidence and momentum at critical points in their academic and professional development.
Your role in helping students use it
Your influence matters. When you recommend a resource, students pay attention, and your encouragement can be the nudge that turns hesitation into action. Consider integrating Buckeyes Connect into your advising conversations and programming in concrete ways:
- Highlight it during appointments with current and graduating students
- Add it to job‑search checklists and exploration resources
- Demonstrate the platform during workshops or classroom visits
- Share it in post‑graduation communications and social channels
By championing Buckeyes Connect, you help students and graduates tap into a powerful, ready‑made network that will support them throughout their careers and strengthen the Buckeye community for years to come!
Bright spots across campus
UCSC honors 2026 Career Services award winners
The University Career Services Committee (UCSC) proudly celebrated its 2026 award winners during the annual retreat held on May 14, 2026. These awards recognize outstanding contributions, innovation, and collaboration in advancing career services across the university.
Program of the Year
Planting Professionals Etiquette Dinner (right), sponsored by the Ohio Soybean Council and Ohio’s Soybean Farmers, in partnership with Ohio Ag Net and Ohio’s Country Journal, and hosted by the CFAES Career Development Office — stood out for its creativity and impact in preparing students for professional success.
Career Services Champion
Dr. Moetiz Samad
Sport Industry
Strong advocacy and commitment to career development across campus.
Collaborator of the Year
Jeremy Hale and Shirley Wu
Leadership in the University-Wide Graduate Student & Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event and the Virtual Big10+ GSPIRE, demonstrating exceptional partnership and collaboration.
New to Ohio State Career Services Award
Zach Howman
ASC Career Success, Buckeye Commons, and Buckeye Careers
Enthusiasm, innovation and dedication to supporting students early in his career.
Supervisor/Manager of the Year
Amy Thaci
College of Engineering Career Services
Outstanding leadership and commitment to staff development and advocacy.
Technology Excellence
Paul Newell
Buckeye Commons and Buckeye Careers
Leveraging technology and digital engagement strategies to enhance student career readiness.
Together, these award recipients exemplify excellence and innovation in career services, making a meaningful impact on student success across the university.
EHE TeachOhio Career Fair
The TeachOhio Career Fair, hosted by The College of Education and Human Ecology, took place on April 7 at the Ohio Union. This annual spring fair brought together 67 school districts covering the city of Columbus, State of Ohio, and across the United States. 160 students were in attendance, including alumni, looking for full-time teaching opportunities.
One employer shared: "It was wonderful to meet OSU students and interview them!" while another one stated “The fair was well organized with well-prepared candidate." Attendees shared the same feelings as well, with one student sharing “I’m really grateful for the opportunity to have interviews … Fortunately, I’ve been invited to a third interview and I’m so excited about it!"
Virtual career coaching available this summer
Buckeye Commons career coaching offers students and recent alumni personalized guidance on exploring careers, securing internships, applying to graduate or professional school, and transitioning into the workforce. Career coaches provide one-on-one support to clarify goals, identify resources, and create tailored career plans, along with referrals to college career services offices. Sessions also include résumé/CV reviews, cover letter feedback, and interview preparation. While Buckeye Commons undergoes summer renovations, virtual one-on-one appointments will remain available through early fall and can be scheduled via Handshake.
Industry in focus
Ohio's Super Sector Surge: What it means for career services and students
Ohio is experiencing a “once-in-a-generation” economic transformation, fueled by major investments from a wide range of employers across key “super sectors.” Companies like Intel and Applied Materials (semiconductors), Honda, LG Energy Solution, Ford, and GM (advanced manufacturing and EVs), Amazon Web Services, Google, and Meta (data centers and AI), and Amgen, Abbott, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital (life sciences and biotech) are driving unprecedented job creation across the state. At the same time, aerospace and mobility leaders like GE Aerospace, Joby Aviation, and Anduril, along with logistics giants such as FedEx, DHL, and Walmart, are expanding operations. These employers, and their supplier networks, are not only reshaping workforce demand but also creating opportunities for students across all majors, including communications, public affairs, HR, finance, supply chain, data analytics, design, and community engagement.
At the same time, Ohio faces a critical talent gap, with demand projected for hundreds of thousands of workers across technical, professional, and skilled roles tied directly to these employers. While engineering and IT talent remain essential, companies like Intel, Honda-LG, Amgen, and AWS also rely heavily on talent from liberal arts, social sciences, health fields, and creative disciplines to support areas such as workforce development, regulatory affairs, user experience, marketing, and organizational leadership. This reinforces the importance of embedding career readiness early, helping all students connect their academic experiences to in-demand skills, and expanding access to internships and experiential learning that reflect the full range of roles within these industries.
This moment also creates a powerful opportunity to deepen strategic partnerships with these high-growth employers while reframing how we communicate career pathways to students. By engaging with organizations like GE Aerospace, Nationwide, Kroger, JPMorgan Chase, and emerging tech and biotech firms, career services teams can help build inclusive talent pipelines that connect diverse majors to Ohio’s fastest-growing sectors. Highlighting the breadth of roles within these companies allows students to better see themselves in these environments while strengthening talent retention and ensuring more graduates recognize their place in Ohio’s evolving economy, regardless of their major.
Learn more about the critical sectors that are key to helping diversify and strengthen the state's economy by visiting the JobsOhio.com website.
HireOhio Alumni Career Fair
Please share with recent and summer graduates in job search: the HireOhio Alumni Career Fair will take place June 4, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at The Ohio Union. This in‑person event hosts employers actively hiring for early‑career roles across a wide range of industries. Attendance is free, making it an ideal opportunity for those preparing to enter the job market.
By the numbers
Top cities for new grads
Columbus, Ohio, is ranked as the fourth best metro area in the United States for recent college graduates according to the ADP Research findings for 2026. The city’s high ranking is primarily driven by a recent increase in job opportunities, making it a standout performer in the Midwest.
Key Performance Metrics
- Overall Rank: #4 (out of 53 major metros)
- Combined Percentile Rank: 94th percentile
- Hiring Rate: 3.1% (an increase from 2.4% the previous year)
- This metric was the primary engine behind its jump into the top four, indicating a robust demand for entry-level talent in roles requiring "considerable preparation."
- Annual Wage Estimate: $51,596
- While Columbus is a leader in opportunity, the report notes that lower wages held back its score slightly compared to other top-tier cities like San Jose.
- Affordability-Adjusted Wage: $54,045
- The "Nation-to-metro cost of living ratio" for Columbus is 1.047, meaning your dollar goes further in Columbus than the national average. When adjusted for this lower cost of living, the effective value of a grad's salary rises from roughly $51k to $54k.
For more details on how Columbus compares to other cities like Birmingham or Tampa, view the full ADP Research report.
How to get involved
Volunteer at the University-Wide Career and Internship Fair this September
Although the academic year just ended, it’s never too early to think and plan ahead for the up-coming year. Help students with their career journey and assist top employers at the 2026 University-Wide Career and Internship Fair on Wednesday, September 16 at the Ohio Union.
This career fair brings together over 150 employers representing various industries and sectors and over 2,000 students representing a wide variety of majors and academic ranks. Volunteers play an integral role in ensuring the fair runs smoothly and successfully for everyone participating. A wide variety of shift times and roles are available to help in a variety of ways for both employers and students. Lunch will be provided for those who volunteer all day as a thank you for your commitment and energy.
If interested, sign up by August 3 and contact Tara Nord (nord.29@osu.edu) if you have any questions.