INdorsed Career Ready Graduate
Certificate of Career Readiness for the Indiana College Student!
Description & Purpose: The INdorsed Career Ready Graduate program is a statewide standard used by
colleges and universities to certify students’ preparation for professional work in the competencies identified
below. Individual schools will adapt this model for their own programs and certify students based on their
own processes. This base model ensures consistency of the core competencies achieved, provides
suggestions for implementation, and develops a recognized achievement for employers to consider when
recruiting college graduates.
Core Competencies & Requirements
Professional Identity: Students develop an understanding of their professional strengths and weaknesses, working style, workplace
preferences and use these to evaluate their personal fit for specific jobs, employers and professions. Students also learn effective
means to convey their professional identity and to promote themselves as candidates in the job market.
Students must complete at least one (1) self-assessment activity, which may include:
 Career assessments such as Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory, Self Directed Search, Indiana
Career Explorer, or StrengthsQuest
 Career development class/seminar
 Information interviews and analysis
Students must complete a resume review, a mock interview and at least one (1) other self-marketing activity, which may
include:
 Completed LinkedIn profile
 Development of elevator speech
 Mock interview
 Professional portfolio
 Career services workshop or program
 Job search strategies class/seminar
Professional Experience: Students apply their academic learning to a professional environment to strengthen understanding of
their field and to graduate with marketable experience. Students also learn professional etiquette, networking and other workplace
practices to transition successfully from student to professional.
Students must complete at least two (2) activities to gain professional experience, which may include:
 Job shadowing or volunteer work
 Professional conferences or active membership in professional association
 Externship or other workplace project
 Internship, practicum or other field placement
 Significant research project relevant to career field
Students must complete at least one (1) activity to develop professional practices, which may include:
 Class or workshop on professionalism
 Etiquette dinner
 Networking event or training
Professional Skills: Students learn communication and other transferrable skills most highly sought by employers, as identified by
the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) annual Job Outlook Survey.
Students must complete at least two (2) activities to develop professional skills, one of which must focus on
communication skills. Examples include:
 Workshop, class or program focused on skill training
 Leadership role on campus or in work
 Internship, practicum or other field placement
Students must complete at least two (2) activities that demonstrate their “unique selling point,” which is the skill or
experience that distinguishes them as a candidate. Examples include:
 Foreign Language (activities might include study abroad and membership in a multicultural organization)
 Website Design (activities might include a computer science minor and internship in website design)
Initial Draft: January 24, 2011
Committee Approved Draft: February 2011
CDPI Board Approved Draft: March 7, 2011
CDPI Membership Approved Draft: April 2011
Pilot Year: 2011-2012
Endorsed Draft (DWD, Chamber, etc.):
*Completion of this certificate does not
guarantee employment.

Community Involvement (activities might include leadership in a service club and several years of volunteer work)
Initial Draft: January 24, 2011
Committee Approved Draft: February 2011
CDPI Board Approved Draft: March 7, 2011
CDPI Membership Approved Draft: April 2011
Pilot Year: 2011-2012
Endorsed Draft (DWD, Chamber, etc.):
*Completion of this certificate does not
guarantee employment.