Designing Success from Day One

At Oakland University’s School of Business Administration, career readiness isn’t an add-on, it’s embedded into the student experience. Through the university’s Career and Life Design Center—and a dedicated business-focused team located in Elliott Hall—students receive comprehensive career support starting on day one. The result? Confident graduates who are not only equipped with in-demand business skills but also empowered with the mindset and tools to build purpose-driven careers.

“Helping students design lives of meaning and purpose is what drives our work,” says Ian Caullay, Director of Career and Life Design for the School of Business Administration. “We empower students to explore who they are, what they want and how to get there.”

While Oakland’s central Career and Life Design Center supports all students and alumni across campus, the School of Business Administration is proud to house its own embedded team within Elliott Hall. This close proximity to where business students learn allows the team to offer tailored programming, resources and coaching that align specifically with the needs of future business leaders.

That personalized career coaching is proving to be a game-changer. According to the First Destination Survey of undergraduate students from the Class of 2023–24, 96% of business graduates are employed, pursuing continuing education, or committed to other meaningful endeavors—a seven-year high for the School. Even more impressive, 98% of those employed are working in Michigan, contributing to the state’s economy and strengthening OU’s reputation as a talent pipeline and top Michigan business school. The median starting salary for these graduates is $60,000. Perhaps most telling, 83% of business grads completed at least one internship or internship-like experience, an experience that research consistently links to better job placement after graduation and higher starting salaries.

Guiding Students Toward Career Confidence

At Oakland University’s School of Business Administration, the Career and Life Design team takes a proactive, student-centered approach to career development. Housed within Elliott Hall, the team works in close partnership with faculty, staff and industry leaders to help students translate classroom experiences into real-world outcomes.

Students don’t have to navigate career planning alone or wait until senior year to think about their goals. Career readiness is built into the business student journey from the start. First-year students are invited to participate in development workshops, networking events and resume-building experiences long before they declare a major. That early engagement pays off: students graduate not only with job offers in hand but also with clarity about their goals and a roadmap for continued growth.

The team offers a wide range of traditional career services designed to meet students where they are. These include one-on-one coaching sessions, resume and cover letter reviews, LinkedIn and personal brand building, mock interviews and job search strategy support. These foundational tools help students build confidence and develop the professional skills needed to pursue meaningful opportunities.

What makes OU’s approach unique is how these services are delivered—through the lens of design thinking, a framework more often found in innovation labs than career offices. This human-centered, iterative method emphasizes empathy, creativity and experimentation. Career coaches begin by deeply understanding each student’s goals and challenges, then help them reframe their thinking through “How might we…” questions—like “How might I find meaningful work that aligns with my values?” From there, students brainstorm, prototype and test possible career paths.

This flexible, problem-solving mindset empowers students to treat career exploration as a process of discovery rather than a high-stakes decision. Rather than viewing their futures as a straight line, students learn to adapt, iterate and pursue opportunities that align with their strengths and values.

“Career development today is more than writing a great resume,” says Ian Caullay, Director of Career and Life Design for the School of Business Administration. “It’s about helping students ask better questions. What are they good at? What do they care about? What does the world need? Our goal is to help them design adaptable, resilient paths that reflect who they are—not just land a job after graduation, but design a life they’re proud of.”

Powerful Partnerships with Employers

What sets the SBA Career and Life Design team apart is not only its focus on student development but also its deep connection to industry. Each year, hundreds of employers actively engage with OU business students through career fairs, professional mixers, on-campus recruiting events and informational interviews. Many of these interactions take place inside Elliott Hall, the heart of the School of Business Administration, allowing students to network where they learn.

Employers consistently turn to OU for top talent. Oakland University is ranked among the top five in-state institutions from which Michigan employers actively recruit, according to a recent report from the American Society of Employers. The university’s job search platform, Handshake, routinely lists more than 10,000 job postings and nearly 5,000 internship postings for business majors, further reinforcing the school’s ability to connect students to meaningful opportunities.

“Our strong employer connections across Michigan give OU business students a competitive edge,” says Dean Pierce. “Companies know they can count on our graduates to bring real value from day one, and that reputation opens doors across the state and beyond.”

OU business graduates go on to launch careers in a wide range of industries including accounting, automotive, aerospace, defense, financial services, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and more. The range of roles and companies reflects both the versatility of a business degree and the strength of the relationships built through OU’s career-focused programming.

Support that Extends Beyond Graduation

The support doesn’t end at commencement. The SBA Career and Life Design team continues to serve as a resource for recent graduates and business alumni, many of whom return for guidance as they navigate career transitions, pursue graduate education, or explore new industries. The long-term relationships fostered through the team exemplify the School of Business Administration’s commitment to lifelong career success and its investment in every student’s journey—before, during and after their time on campus.

For donors and alumni, the SBA Career and Life Design team represents an investment with measurable returns. Each successful graduate is a testament to the power of embedded support systems and intentional mentorship. For prospective business students, it’s a signal that choosing OU means joining a community committed to purpose, preparation and progress.

Where Business Meets Purpose

In today’s fast-changing job market, business students need more than a degree—they need a plan. At Oakland University’s School of Business Administration, the SBA Career and Life Design team provides the tools, relationships and experiences that turn potential into progress. Whether students aspire to lead in the boardroom, innovate in startups or create impact in their communities, their journey starts with designing the life they want to lead.