Sean Corp, Content Strategist

Michigan Online’s Career Kickoff Collection features a curated portfolio of learning experiences to examine common areas involved in career development, from resumes to interviews to networking. Created by U-M students for students, the materials break down and outline different strategies and methods and act as the onramp to Michigan Online as U-M graduates become lifelong learners. The material found in the collection also serves as a resource for anyone looking to advance at any point in their career.

This is one of 11 Collections available on Michigan Online developed by the Center for Academic Innovation. The short-form educational content in Collections can range from short informational videos, articles to podcasts, Teach-Outs and courses. More than 250 pieces of content on a variety of important topics are currently available in Collections at Michigan Online.

Collections are the latest way learners can learn from top educators and experts inside and outside University of Michigan. Millions of global learners have enrolled in courses, series and and participated in online Teach-Outs available through Michigan Online.

While the interest in in-depth online courses, series, and degrees that take weeks or months to complete is still growing, the team at the Center for Academic Innovation have been working with experts inside and outside U-M to create valuable short-form content to deliver online education in a new way for its global audience.

The center works with experts inside and outside U-M to create these Collections and curate them into thematic playlists for users to explore. Learners can browse these playlists or explore all the individual pieces of content on their own — searching by content type and theme.

The collection started with two partnership development fellows, Deirdre Lee and Ryan Halaoui, who both realized that a large hurdle many students, including them, face is discerning how to tackle the job application process. After consulting with MEG Consulting, a U-M Ross student group, and collaborating with Julia Maxwell, a digital learning archivist fellow at CAI, they conceptualized and built a collection that addresses this topic of career development with the help of CAI staff. Quickly, their original idea shifted into how people transition into the workforce, and with diverse perspectives building this collection, we’re excited to reach a broader audience that meets more people’s needs.

The Career Kickoff Collection features a wide range of educational content from U-M experts ranging from the University of Michigan Alumni Association, U-M University Career Center, University of Michigan Athletic Career Center, University of Michigan School of Social Work and more. For freshmen newly entering higher education, these resources pave the way for them to reach internships and other opportunities so that by the time they graduate with an undergraduate degree, they’re fully prepared to enter the workforce. This rings true for other undergraduate and graduate students, as well as learners without a bachelor’s degree, who are looking for ways to develop their career. However, because of the ubiquitous nature of these resources, people who want to change their career path down the road but are uncertain how to do so can access these materials, too. Whatever your case may be, these resources are relevant for each and every individual to use to their advantage.

Playlists within the Collection include:

• Getting Started, Understanding Yourself and Your Path
• Resume and Cover Letter
• Interviewing
• Networking and Social Media
• Building Your Skills
• Leadership and Development

The Career Kickoff Collection features new short-form content made exclusively for the Collection as well as highlighting content from several courses and Teach-Outs including:

• Brilliant, Passionate You
• The Science of Success: What Researchers Know that You Should Know
• Leading Teams
• Good with Words: Writing and Editing Series
• Influencing People
• Disinformation, Misinformation, and Fake News Teach-Out

To explore the wide range of Career Kickoff content available, visit the collection page. You can also find collections including democracy and debate, entrepreneurship, personal finance, racism and anti-racism in America, effective communication and COVID-19.