Inside the CSC
Career Education Course Offered with Career Success
UNIV 2112 Prepares SHSU Students for the Workforce
Jan. 17, 2025
Media Contact: Enrique Paz
Starting a career can be challenging for students juggling demanding coursework and extracurriculars. That’s where UNIV 2112, or “Career Education and Development,” comes in. It’s a pre-internship course designed to explore industry pathways and develop career-specific skills. Open to all majors, it awards one credit upon completion and aims to set students up for success as they prepare for graduation.
Career Education and Development was created through SHSU’s Strengthening Institutions Program grant, awarded in 2021. A review of SHSU’s programs found that about 60% of degree paths don’t require internships or preparation courses. To address this, the class focuses on high-demand career fields and includes active learning to give students the tools they need for future occupations.
“I am most excited about the potential this course has in closing the gap between what students are studying and what the job actually looks like,” Dr. Courtney Wilson, associate director of career education, said. “This course is not simply a pre-internship preparation class; these are career success skills students will use at various stages through their lives.”
Each week, attendees explore career-ready competencies while mapping the road ahead. The experience benefits those who know exactly where they are headed, as well as those who need additional guidance to navigate the many career options in front of them.
“This course is also designed for those students who need help figuring it out and are otherwise lost in the weeds,” Dr. Wilson said.
By building confidence and teaching practical workplace skills, the class prepares Bearkats to connect with potential employers. Students receive access to typically unknown resources with expert guidance.
“My primary goal for students taking this course is to know how to secure a job offer by graduation,” Dr. Wilson said. “’Bearkats Get Hired’ is our motto and serves as the driving force.”
One section is being offered for the Spring 2025 semester. Iris Martinez, career coach, serves as the instructor. Martinez has experience in risk management, health care administration, and small business ownership. Her coaching experience for the past two years has helped prepare her for this opportunity.
CRN 26762
Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m.–11:50 a.m.
Additionally, Dr. Wilson adds, “This semester, I am working closely with Audrey Williams, our manager of employer engagement, to connect students with employer contacts and arrange classroom visits. I am also working closely with several faculty partners to serve as mentors for students in various majors.”
The course is updated regularly by Dr. Wilson to ensure it remains aligned with industry standards and student needs. Her responsibilities also include scheduling sections, supporting instruction, and recruitment of students through various campus partners.
“I feel lucky in this role because I get to, not only create curriculum that has a tremendous impact on the university community, but also, ‘pop-in’ and facilitate the learning of that curriculum,” Dr. Wilson said.
Dr. Wilson views teaching as an integral part of her daily work, whether collaborating with coaches, meeting with Bearkats, or presenting across campus. Being an educator is embedded in every aspect of her role, in and out of the classroom. Overcoming the challenges, she remains optimistic about the program’s future and advocates its value.
“At any point in their careers, when life shifts and it’s time to do something different, students will know where to start and how to prepare for that shift,” Dr. Wilson said. “I can’t think of any other course that is doing this work in this way.”