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

Hi Kim, I'm excited to hear you use social media for "relationship building" vs. "communicating." I think there is a distinct difference and this is seen in one's strategy which you touched upon. Do you have any success stories of how you've been able to expand/strengthen relationships using social media that led to some sort of result (i.e. new employer hiring, gaining advisory board member, finding unadvertised job/internship opportunities, etc.)? Robert Starks Jr.
Hi Lisa, I agree with the "marathon" mentality. I'm curious, what ways does your career services team evaluate graduates to assess their fit for a specific employer? Is there involvement with other departments and are these methods formalized/institutionalized or different for every career services staff member? Robert Starks Jr.
Hi Candace, What systems are in place at your institution to partner with academics to ensure curricula aligns with industry expectations? Are there any strategies the course mentions that are not implemented that would be feasible to implement or advocate for? Robert Starks Jr.
Share your favorite forms of emerging career marketing collateral and the ones that your students have had the most challenges with.
Have you had students use video résumés in their job search? Have you recommended them or found them successful for enhancing a student’s brand?
Discussion Comment
What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of using Twitter as a form of micro résumé and networking?
Share some of your stories of how having an online presence has both hurt and helped job seekers.
What is your #1 piece of advice for job seekers as they navigate the challenges of social media and search engines?
What has your experience been regarding the influence of the web and social networks relative to employers’ decision-making processes for sourcing, recruiting, and hiring? What are you learning from employers in your area?
Discussion Comment
In your view, what do the most successful portfolios contain? Can you think of exceptional examples that students have developed over the years?

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