Raider Career Impact Awards

Description
Recognizes a student who goes beyond simply showing up and actively leverages career resources, guidance, and opportunities to create meaningful momentum in their professional journey. This award honors a student who is intentional, strategic, and engaged in their approach to career development.

Nomination Criteria

• Demonstrates proactive engagement with career resources (appointments, workshops, programs, employer events)
• Participates consistently in career development activities (typically multiple engagements per semester)
• Shows intentional use of resources to support career goals
• Exhibits strong action, strategy, and engagement in their career journey
• Demonstrates measurable progress or momentum in career readiness

Description
Honors a first-generation college student who navigates higher education with resilience, self-advocacy, and purpose—while forging pathways for themselves and others. This student is breaking cycles and building access without a clear roadmap.

Nomination Criteria

• Identifies as a first-generation college student
• Maintains strong academic performance (typically 3.0 GPA or above) while balancing employment and/or responsibilities
• Actively seeks knowledge, resources, and support to advance their goals
• Demonstrates resilience in overcoming structural or informational barriers
• Engages in peer mentorship, leadership, or community support
• Shows growth across academic, career, or leadership areas
• Embodies courage and resilience

Description
Recognizes a student who serves as a connector across campus communities and the Office of Career Resources & Exploration, strengthening partnerships and expanding access to opportunities. This student brings people together and makes things happen.

Nomination Criteria

• Demonstrates collaboration across campus or community spaces
• Connects students to resources, opportunities, or networks
• Plays a visible role in strengthening partnerships or programs
• Acts as a communicator, liaison, or connector between groups
• Engages in cross-organizational leadership or event coordination
• Shows impact through referrals, collaboration outcomes, or initiatives
• Embodies partnership, relationship-building, communication, and leadership

Description
Recognizes a student intern who demonstrates exceptional growth, professionalism, and impact while translating academic learning into real-world practice. This student treats their internship as a launchpad—not just a line on a résumé.

Nomination Criteria

• Demonstrates initiative, accountability, and strong work ethic
• Applies academic knowledge in a professional setting
• Seeks and incorporates feedback to improve performance
• Contributes meaningfully to their organization or team
• Demonstrates career readiness competencies (communication, problem-solving, professionalism)
• Provides evidence of tangible contributions (projects, deliverables, improvements)
• Shows measurable professional growth over the internship
• Positively impacts team or organizational outcomes

Description
Honors a student employee whose dedication, leadership, and reliability significantly strengthen their department, program, or campus community. This student raises the standard for student employment.

Nomination Criteria

• Demonstrates consistent professionalism, reliability, and accountability
• Takes ownership beyond basic job expectations
• Contributes to a positive team or office culture
• Develops transferable career skills (communication, problem-solving, leadership)
• Shows growth in responsibilities and competencies over time
• Provides examples of initiative or process improvement
• Supports peer mentorship or onboarding efforts
• Demonstrates sustained excellence in their role

Description
Recognizes a faculty member who intentionally integrates career development into the academic experience, connecting classroom learning to real-world application and career exploration.

Nomination Criteria

• Integrates career readiness into teaching, advising, or coursework
• Invites industry speakers, alumni, or professionals into academic spaces
• Promotes internships, research, or experiential learning opportunities
• Refers students to CRE resources and services
• Demonstrates collaboration with CRE
• Shows evidence of industry engagement
• Receives positive student feedback related to career preparedness

Description
Recognizes a staff member who consistently champions student access to career opportunities and supports student development beyond formal programming.

Nomination Criteria

• Mentors or advises students on career pathways
• Connects students to internships, employers, or opportunities
• Advocates for equitable access to resources and experiences
• Demonstrates commitment to student development and success
• Provides evidence of mentorship impact
• Includes student testimonials or feedback
• Shows clear examples of advocacy and support

Description
Honors a school or department who collaborates strategically with CRE to expand career access and integrate career readiness across the student experience.

Nomination Criteria

• Co-hosts events, workshops, or programs with CRE
• Actively refers students to CRE resources
• Engages in collaborative planning and aligned initiatives
• Demonstrates sustained partnership with CRE
• Provides examples of joint initiatives or programming
• Shows coordinated outreach efforts
• Includes testimonials from students or staff

Description
Honors a supervisor who demonstrates exceptional commitment to developing student employees through mentorship, guidance, and intentional leadership.

Nomination Criteria

• Creates a supportive and inclusive work environment
• Provides mentorship, coaching, and professional guidance
• Offers constructive feedback and growth opportunities
• Supports development of career readiness competencies
• Encourages student ownership, confidence, and leadership
• Demonstrates impact through student growth and outcomes
• Receives strong student or staff feedback

Description
Recognizes an employer or organization that demonstrates sustained engagement with Rutgers University–Newark students through recruitment, mentorship, and investment in student success.

Nomination Criteria

• Actively recruits RU-N students (career fairs, events, hiring efforts)
• Engages meaningfully beyond recruitment (mentorship, workshops, partnerships)
• Demonstrates commitment to student development
• Hosts or participates in multiple events or engagements
• Provides internship and/or hiring opportunities
• Includes student testimonials or feedback
• Shows evidence of mentorship or engagement initiatives
• Contributes to long-term talent pipeline development