Program Development & Administration in Career Services Flashcards

Which step typically comes FIRST when developing a new career services program?

Answer: Conducting a needs assessment

A needs assessment identifies gaps and target population requirements before any other planning steps can be meaningfully undertaken.

A career services administrator wants to demonstrate program effectiveness to stakeholders. Which type of evaluation focuses on measuring whether program goals were actually achieved?

Answer: Summative evaluation

Summative evaluation measures outcomes and determines whether program goals were achieved, making it the appropriate choice for demonstrating effectiveness.

When writing measurable program objectives for a career services center, which format best ensures accountability?

Answer: SMART objectives with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound criteria

SMART objectives provide the specificity and measurability needed to track progress and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders.

Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of a program logic model in career services?

Answer: To map the relationship between program inputs, activities, outputs, and intended outcomes

A logic model visually depicts the theory of change by linking program resources and activities to expected outputs and longer-term outcomes.

A career center director is preparing an annual report. Which data source would BEST document program utilization?

Answer: Number of appointments scheduled and services delivered per quarter

Quantitative utilization data such as appointment counts and services delivered provides the most objective evidence of program reach and activity.

In a university career center, which document typically outlines the formal scope of services, staffing ratios, and performance benchmarks?

Answer: Service delivery plan or program manual

A service delivery plan or program manual formally defines the scope, staffing, and benchmarks that guide consistent career center operations.

Which staffing consideration is most important when building a culturally responsive career services team?

Answer: Prioritizing staff with diverse backgrounds, cultural competencies, and multilingual abilities

A team with diverse backgrounds and cultural competencies is better equipped to serve clients from varied cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic contexts.