Karen Dowd

Experience

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  Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia

  Jan 1984 - Jan 1995

  Director, Career Services & Placement

  Over span of several years and working with growing team, developed best practices in career preparation of MBA students and employer relations. Developed state-of-art recruiters' symposium. Raised funds for career projects and activities. Developed and taught numerous career classes for students. Taught numerous leadership courses in project management, communications, supervision, personal assessments, and career management for supervisors at the University and for executives attending continuing education classes. With Randy Powell of IU , founded International Placement Directors' Group, 30+ top b-schools in U.S. and Europe that continue to meet annually today. Served on Executive Council of Wall Street Group. Wrote articles on career planning and job search for numerous national publications. Taught management development classes for University of Virginia supervisors and for executives through Continuing Education corporate programs. Show less

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  The Empower Group

  Jan 1995 - Jan 2004

  Practice Leader

  This organizational effectiveness management consultancy is now part of Right Management Assoc. I worked for this firm (formerly Brecker & Merryman) for nine years. I served as Practice Leader of Recruiting & Staffing Strategies. Developed business, collaborated with colleagues on numerous projects for Fortune 500 and professional service firms. Initiated new annual employment survey and co-developed numerous new approaches to helping companies brand on campus and with external and internal constituents. Sample areas of work included career branding, employment research, strategy consulting and research for business schools, branding research for companies seeking top talent at universities and colleges, behavioral interviewing, and competency modeling. Show less

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  James Madison University

  Jan 1998 - Jan 2004

  Instructor and Assistant Professor

  I was hired as an academic practitioner who had academic credentials and corporate industry experience. As a member of the Management Department, served on College and University committees, advised student organizations, received recognition from student organizations for my teaching, performed extensive service, and engaged in applied and proprietary research. Started as Instructor, served on course development team, became Course Head, and promoted to Assistant Professor (non tenure track). Taught Interpersonal Skills in Organizations and Selection and Staffing. I wrote two books, one on careers and the other on interpersonal skills, both published by McGraw-Hill. My paper co-authored with David Kaplan on entrepreneurial faculty careers appeared in the Journal of Human Relations. Show less

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  McGraw Hill

  Jan 2003 - now

  Co-Author

  Co-author of two books with McGraw-Hill: "Interpersonal Skills in Organizations" (currently in the sixth edition with plans for a seventh in January 2021) with Suzanne de Janusz and Beth Schneider, and "The Ultimate Guide to Getting the Career You Want" with Sherrie Gong-Taguchi

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  University of Notre Dame

  Sept 2004 - Jan 2009

  Senior Director, MBA Career Development

  with excellent team, developed relationship manager approach to career advising and employer relations team roles. Worked with University Advancement and College departments on new corporate engagement activities. Raised funds for student programs on leadership and diversity. Raised corporate funds for student leadership and diversity initiatives. Served on Board of MBA Career Services Council. Developed new approaches to assisting international students with their employment searches. Developed and taught career content. Team developed innovative Career Catalyst program. Show less

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  MBA Career Services & Employer Alliance

  Jun 2007 - Jun 2010

  Member of Board; Secretary; Co-Chair, Research Committee

  As a member of the Board, served as Membership Chair, Secretary, and Co-Chair, Research. Part of group responsible for bringing one of the annual conferences to Keystone, Colorado. Upgraded quality of annual recruiting surveys and collaborated with GMAC in more comprehensive data collection and reporting of interest to b-schools and employers. Working with the Treasurer and President, increased membership and improved membership processes.

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  University of Denver - Daniels College of Business

  Jan 2009 - Nov 2013

  Executive Director, Graduate & Alumni Career Services

  Led or co-led areas including career management, employer relations, and corporate engagement. With excellent team, developed new "Career Next" career management framework and related materials for graduate students and alumni, improved career resources for international students, and improved number of job postings annually. With Dean's Office, grew Corporate Partners program from scratch to an initial offering of 12 companies with strong ties to the Daniels College of Business, now over 80 companies contribute annually to the College's mission. Show less

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  MBA Career Services & EmployerAlliance (formerly CSC)

  Jan 2011 - May 2014

  Co-Lead, Asian Expansion Initiative

  Working with the Board and committee, work to establish presence in Asia and offer services to business schools and employers in this region. Have chaired or co-chaired two conferences, Singapore 2012, and Hong Kong 2013.

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  Simon Business School, University of Rochester

  Nov 2013 - Aug 2018

  As part of multi-unit team---Created new on-line "Day 1" career content-Created new EDGE personal development plan-Created new corporate engagement focus-Developed new Treks in Silicon Valley and Asia-Created new Career Days in NYC for all MBA and MS programs-Created new Mentor program-Worked with faculty and co-curricular offices to create new Career Track approach and Career Path Profiles to aid in student decision making -Contributed to new MBA curriculum-Sponsored the creation of "The American Mindset" for international students-Achieved national top ten ranking for employment of MBAs -Received service award from the MBACSEA for contributions to the profession -Received leadership award and lifetime membership status from the MBACSEA for contributions to the profession About Simon Business SchoolThe Simon Business School is currently ranked among the leading graduate business schools in the world in rankings published by the popular press, including BusinessWeek, U.S. News & World Report, and Financial Times. The Financial Times recently rated the School 7th in the world for finance and 8th in the world for accounting. More information about Simon Business School is available at www.simon.rochester.edu. Show less

  • Former Assistant Dean, Career Management & Corporate Engagement

    Jul 2018 - Aug 2018

  • Assistant Dean, Career Management and Corporate Engagement

    Nov 2013 - Jul 2018
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  MBACSEA Certifications Committee & Career Services Boot Camp & Certificate program

  Aug 2018 - Nov 2023

  Co-Chair

  Co-leading the inaugural MBA Boot Camp for New Professionals, to be offered in advance of the global annual MBACSEA conference in Boston, MA. The Task Force is exploring ways to identify competencies of effective graduate business career services professionals and offer programming and certification to enhance members’ expertise.

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  MBA Career Services & Employer Alliance

  Sept 2021 - now

  Member, CSEA Certifications and Boot Camp Committee