Career Services Update: Meet Char Von Vogt
Did you know that Jessup alumni have lifelong access to Career Services? Sharing her expertise is Char Von Vogt, Jessup’s new director of Career Services and External Workforce Development Partnerships. Von Vogt comes to the University with a Master in Education Counseling degree from Northern Arizona University and nearly 30 years of higher education experience at both the community college and university level. Her background in student life, student success administration, academic advising and as adjunct faculty for career and psychology programs suits the growing University well.
This new role allows her the opportunity to support students and alumni. “I love it when the light bulb goes on for a student or alumni. It just feeds my soul,” she said. “Career Construction Theory is based on meeting students where they are, and then we build from there. I enjoy the opportunity to counsel and pray for and with them as well. It’s such a privilege to help students and alumni find their purpose and recognize God’s call on their lives.”
Equipping students for an ever-changing workforce, Von Vogt is providing strategies to help Jessup graduates thrive in remote and hybrid work settings. While technical skills are pivotal, an emphasis on soft skills and emotional intelligence is taking center stage. “Employees don’t get fired for their lack of technical skills, but they are getting reprimanded and let go due to their lack of soft skills and workplace etiquette,” Von Vogt said. A spring 2025 workshop is in the works to address these concerns.
Working extensively to build pathways and partnerships to propel external workforce development throughout Placer County ranks high on her list of duties. “As a region, we’re looking at developing artificial intelligence and technology programs such as mechatronics or semiconductor industry support to help build a talent pipeline that delivers highly desirable employees who meet the specific needs of these and other industries,” she said. “Representing Jessup is a great opportunity to extend the relationships I built at Sierra College and in the community to create bridges for these kinds of opportunities.”
Career Services offers career counseling, occupational exploration, internship and job search preparation, career readiness workshops and other events. “I want students and alumni to know I’m here for them,” she said. “Career conversations happen everywhere on campus from student life to success coaches, to faculty and staff. Several Jessup donors hire Jessup graduates. As I’m out in the business community, I see it time and again that employers want to hire a Jessup graduate or intern because they are highly critical, compassionate, reliable thinkers. Their liberal arts education has taught them to problem solve and process information, all marketable skills for the job force.”
Encouraging students to check in with Career Services, Von Vogt put it this way, “I just want to get the word out to let our students and alumni know that no matter where they are in their career journey, career services is here to support them.”
