Enhancing Student-Employer Engagement
The Ball State Career Center’s Employer Relations team hosts a networking experience with students and corporate partner Life in Indy in the Indiana Connection Lounge on April 2.
In the heart of Ball State University, the Indiana Connection Lounge (ICL) is bustling with activity, reshaping how students connect with potential employers.
This space, integral to the University’s career development efforts, has proven invaluable for bridging the gap between academia and industry. In the 2023-24 academic year, 3,500 students visited the lounge, with 2,700 of them attending a job fair or recruitment event for the first time.
“2023-24 was an incredible year for the ICL,” said Robert Tucker III, associate director of employer relations and recruitment programs at Ball State. “We saw representation from every major at Ball State and incorporated each academic college into our events. This exposure helps students build social capital and prepare for life after graduation.”
The ICL’s impact is evident in the numbers: more than 4,100 students attended ICL events in 2023-24, representing all 120 majors across the University’s seven academic colleges. The ICL facilitated 37 networking engagements and welcomed 61 employer representatives from nine employer partners, integrating them into 96 classrooms.
The 2024-25 academic year will have even more engagement opportunities.
“Industry is eager for the engagements the ICL offers,” said Jim McAtee, Ball State’s assistant vice president and executive director for career and professional development. “We are already looking at the 2025-26 calendar because we are full through the next academic year. Employers love that we can curate a day for them, connecting them to the right places on campus.”
Solid Feedback
The ICL’s impact is reflected in feedback from students, faculty, and employers. One of the most appreciated aspects is the lounge’s casual, authentic nature.
“Students love the genuine nature of these connections,” Mr. McAtee said. “We are building infrastructure to help them stay connected to the contacts they have made.”
The lounge is particularly effective in serving underrepresented populations, as 31 percent of students who attended ICL events last academic year were first-generation college attendees.
“Many students who engage in ICL activities are first-generation college students, underrepresented populations, and those with high financial need,” Mr. McAtee said. “These students often do not engage in social capital building but need it the most.”
“Without the support of alumni and donors…, the Indiana Connection Lounge would not be making the impact it is today.” -Jim McAtee
Alumni, Partner Involvement
Ball State alumni and University business partners play a crucial role in the ICL’s success.
Savanna Pipes, a 2023 Ball State graduate and campus recruiter for Northwestern Mutual in Indianapolis, emphasized the lounge’s value.
Savanna Pipes, ’23, a campus recruiter for Northwestern Mutual in Indianapolis, leads a discussion during a partner presentation for the Ball State University Foundation Board of Directors at the Indiana Connection Lounge on June 13.
“The Indiana Connection Lounge is building momentum as a unique opportunity for Hoosier businesses to have meaningful conversations with bright potential employees,” she said. “I hope it will bring more recognition to Northwestern Mutual and what we do.”
Northwestern Mutual plans to start utilizing the ICL space this Fall. This allows Ms. Pipes to return to her alma mater and connect with students who, just like her a couple of years ago, are eager to put their Ball State degrees to use.
“I take a ton of pride in being a Ball State alum. I like to give back and chat with professors I had back when I was in school,” Ms. Pipes said. “I like being able to show students that Ball State gave me the career opportunity I have by being open to employers coming on campus and offering different internships and careers.”
The success of the ICL is a testament to the collaboration within the Ball State community. Mr. Tucker and Mr. McAtee both credit the growth of employer partnerships to the University’s ability to produce top talent and its collaborative ecosystem.
“Ball State continues to be the talent producer for Indiana. Eighty percent of our graduates find gainful employment in Indiana post-graduation,” Mr. Tucker said. “Our partners see this level of collaboration and teamwork from the entire University during the events. Being able to tell that story to new and potential partners resonates with employers.”
Mr. McAtee credits the generosity and foresight of alumni like Jill Lacy, ‘92, and her husband, Peter, for providing the funds that made the ICL possible.
“We cannot talk about the impact of the ICL on students, employers, and the workforce without recognizing those who believed in this vision from the beginning,” Mr. McAtee said. “Without the support of alumni and donors such as Jill and Peter Lacy, the ICL would not be making the impact it is today.”
Looking ahead, the ICL plans to expand its services, focusing on helping students build strategic connections through coaching and industry engagements.
“We plan to help students learn how to create, build, and maintain their strategic connections through one-on-one and group coaching,” Mr. McAtee said. “We want to develop strategic industry cluster engagements to help scale what we are doing and find more ways to help companies tell their stories to students.”
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