Robert Pearl Starks

Robert Pearl Starks

Location: phoenix, arizona

About me

As Vice President of Product Development, I lead cross-functional teams of designers, developers, QA testers and product stakeholders to develop, launch, and improve products customers need and love. 

Previously, I've worked in a variety of leadership roles in education / learning & professional development. Through my experience, I've become accustomed to working across departmental silos and with various stakeholders (executives, end-users, faculty, staff, students / learners, alumni, parents, regulatory agencies, partners and employers) to facilitate collaboration and advance common goals. In my previous roles, I've advocated for student needs and driven organizational change that helped educators do their best work, students thrive in their careers, and employers connect with quality talent.

Despite different contexts, a common theme in my career journey has been to do work that contributes to a mission which improves people's lives. It's also always been important for me to work with an organization whose values align with my own. I'm a listener, empathizer, customer advocate, servant leader, and lifelong learner. I'm never satisfied with status quo, I constantly strive for "better," and I'm driven by genuine curiosity to solve complex problems.

“Work to become; not to acquire.” -Elbert Hubbard

Interests

social media, career development, training, higher education, web 2.0/3.0, career services, leadership, marketing

Skills

social media, marketing, training, consulting, management, strategic planning

Activity

This is a guide/handout I created for career services professionals, particularly for those who are interested in or have completed the course, Developing a Social Media Strategy for Career Services who want to help their students understand social media and how to leverage social media for their career development.  I hope it helps you.  If you find it helpful, please leave a comment and share this blog with your colleagues.  Thank you! 

Discussion Comment

Kelly, Thank you for sharing these challenges. They are challenges many face. I'd like to share some thoughts with you and I have some questions on which I'd be interested in hearing your own thoughts: 1. Have you considered hosting networking events vs. "career fairs" and "interview days" which focus on hiring practices vs. networking? 2. How might a "networking" event be differentiated from a traditional career fair or "interview day" and in what ways might you use social media to execute such an event? Who might be potential partners in offering such an event? (I think of local chambers,… >>>

Kelly, Thanks for introducing yourself. I look forward to your continued contributions to the forums. Robert Starks Jr.
Katya, Insightful comments - thank you for sharing. Robert Starks Jr.
Christine, Hello Christine, I'm curious, how would you describe how one can use social media to modify their strategic engagement strategies with graduates with whom are difficult to contact to perhaps elicit response? What are your thoughts? Robert Starks Jr.

Hey Edwin - welcome! I saw from your bio that this is your first year at an educational institution.  I'm glad you found your way here into the Lounge where the entire community is full of those in education.  I look forward to following your blogs, posts, comments.  

Take it easy!

Stacey, What a wonderful response! You nailed it when you said these tools can help individuals and businesses alike. I think you would appreciate this blog entry I put in the Lounge for those who plan on using the social learning network platform to continue learning, sharing, and connecting - take a look and leave a comment: http://lwire.us/?l=XJ5V. Stacey - I have enjoyed our interactions and your enthusiasm in this course. Your comments are helping all of us learn and engage. Make sure you add me to your PLN once you complete the course so we can continue learning from… >>>

Discussion Comment

Stacey, Measuring can be a challenge because it can create another layer of work but as you know, measurement allows you to identify the effectiveness of your strategies. May I recommend that you start with measuring things that are more feasible for you such as event participation. How might you use social media as part of a strategy to increase participation in an event? Track the attendance and start to identify if you see a trend in increased participation. Use social media to bring students into your office and track pre and post walk-in appointments. I recommend starting with simple… >>>

Discussion Comment

Ronda, If you come up with a list, I encourage you to share your ideas in the forum so others can learn from your brainstorming session. As you create your list, always consider what your objective is - is the contest to increase one-on-one visits? Is it to review more resumes? Is it to encourage participation in a mock interview program? As you brainstorm, I encourage you to first identify the objective and then identify the tactic. This will allow you to design contests with clear intent and the activities will align with your career center objectives. It's a great… >>>

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