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

Discussion Comment

Helllo Amy, Every institution has different policies regarding social media usage. Some institutions still have not yet developed policies. I can tell you that in some instances, institutions consider communicating with students through personal pages such as yours, "Fraternization," and only allow direct communication and "friending" once they are in graduate status. Thus, one would be required to have a fan page set up in the name of the Career Services department under these circumstances. Some institutions require that campuses make formal requests to a corporate office such as compliance with a needs statement arguing the purpose of the page… >>>

Hello Amy, Some of my responses to other learners have been unique to their individual circumstances such as a response to an individual at an allied health school indicating top medical social networks. However, I suggest that you review the resources section of the course where I have provided a tremendous amount of information to use beyond the point of completing this course. After reviewing, please let me know if you have specific questions, resource needs, etc. and I would be happy to expand upon what has been provided if you do not find what you are seeking. If you… >>>

Amy, Well said! I couldn't agree with you more and love your philosophy! Thank you for sharing your perspective. Robert Starks Jr.

Robert - you're right.  There are so many great tools that can be used.  It's pretty exciting if you ask me!

Jessica, Great strategy. Have any surveys been done with students/graduates to discover what they would like to see from the Facebook page? Robert Starks Jr.
Jessica, Facebook makes sense for the demographic you have and because it has 1 billion users, making it the likely platform for future late adopters. I wonder if asking truck drivers to post their pictures of where they travel might be one way to engage them - seems like it would be such a great way to get them involved and more engaged by showing others where their career is taking them. Have you thought of other tactics to try to get them actively engaged? I would love to hear your ideas. Robert Starks Jr.

A learning tool is a tool to create or deliver learning content/solutions for others, or a tool for your own personal or professional learning.

 Here is the Top 100 Tools for Learning 2012 as voted for by 582 learning professionals worldwide. 

 

As technology has enabled new ways for jobseekers to market themselves, will the resume be replaced?  Why or why not?  If so, by what?

Jessica, Can you share the connection between your social media activities and what specific career center goals you'll be trying to improve through your social efforts? What metrics will you be correlating to social media activities to determine success and how do your post types fit into your strategy? Robert Starks Jr.

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