WHAT WE LOOK FOR: 

• Unique and impactful career development initiatives that are related to at least one of the following: scaling career development or employer relations, using career data effectively, embedding career development into the campus ecosystem, DEI in career services, faculty or career champion engagement in deploying career development, and/or brand/marketing success. 

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REQUIREMENTS 

• Submissions must be from colleges and universities.  

• The submitted program or initiative must have been implemented in at least an initial pilot phase to be able to show results.  No concept-only submissions are accepted. Concepts are not innovations; they are ideas. 

• In your description, be sure to clearly state: 1. the purpose, 2. how you implemented it, and 3. the results you achieved. 

 

FAQ

1. Does my innovation have to be something we recently launched? No. Well-baked innovations are quite welcome. Innovative does not equal recent, though it can.

2. How many innovations will get awards? We are not sure. It depends on how many are innovative.  More than 1, less than 6. 

3. Can 'buying/using a vendor tech tool or product' be our innovation? No. Not unless you created the tech tool or product. 

4. Are we submitting on behalf of a person, office, or our institution? Institution, but you can list names or people and offices that contributed. And the submission does not have to be from a career office proper. Anywhere in the Career Ecosystem is okay.

5. Do we have to be a member of The Collective to win? Nope...uh, but why are you not a member? 

6. What do we win? Glory and stardom. Ok, but seriously, you will get recognition for sure...on the Collective website, in social media, and in our newsletter, plus a nice plaque for your office. Shout it from the rooftops - you deserve it! 

7. What if I won before? Can I win again? Yes! We invite previous winners to apply with new programs or initiatives.

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PROCESS

1. Read all application instructions.

2. Submit by February 23, 2025 at midnight.

3. The Collective team will notify winners in early March

4. Winners will be publicly announced at The Collective 2025 Annual Conference in NOLA. Plan to be there to accept!