2025 NAGCAS Excellence Award - Supporting Student Success - Winning Submission, showcasing how the University of New England (UNE) Careers team has evolved from a reactive, service-focused model to provide a proactive, evidence-based career education function.
The rapidly changing world of work demands that universities move beyond the traditional, transactional career services to deliver transformational, student-centred career education. At the University of New England (UNE), the Careers team has evolved from a reactive, service-focused model to a proactive, evidence-based function. This new approach integrates personalised student support with embedded career education, encouraging lifelong learning and adaptability.
This presentation charts the Career team's journey into a third space operation, where professional and academic roles intersect to deliver holistic, future-focused career development learning. Guided by a student-centred ethos and best practice, the team expanded its remit from one-on-one guidance to designing, coordinating and delivering six units in career development and work-integrated learning across undergraduate and postgraduate degrees: cementing career learning as a core element of the student experience.
The session will share key strategies, including building staff capability in career development and curriculum design. Insights will also be shared on navigating governance and engaging the broader UNE community to reimagine the role of a university career service, one that advocates for career education as an essential component of the curriculum.
Presenter
Kate Pardy
Career Lead
University of New England
Kate Pardy, as Career Lead, leads a multifaceted service delivering career development coaching and support, resources, and teaching across UNE’s Professional Practice and Work Integrated Learning units. Kate is passionate about providing proactive, human-centred, and transformational career development learning that builds students’ aspirations, strengthens career management skills, and supports confident navigation of study-to-work pathways. Known for her optimistic, practical, and people-focused approach, Kate brings creativity, humour, and curiosity to her work. All fuelled by coffee, inspired by dogs, and grounded in a genuine commitment to empowering others.
This session will be recorded
