Employer partnerships bring career prep tools to Ilitch School students

For students preparing to enter the modern workforce, a diploma is a fantastic asset to have - but it's only part of the equation. Professional branding, polished application materials, strong communication skills, self-confidence and thorough preparation all play a role in turning opportunities into job offers.

At Wayne State's Mike Ilitch School of Business, a new trio of career-development tools is helping students build those skills before graduation. At the Ilitch School Career Services office, students now have access to a professional headshot booth (the Iris Booth), virtual reality (VR) interview training and AI-assisted resume-building tools that support them at every stage of the job search, from day one through graduation.

For Susan Crowley, director of Ilitch School Career Services, the tools address common challenges students face when transitioning from Wayne State to the workplace. The result is a coordinated set of resources that drives student success and advances the university's mission of ensuring every Warrior participates in career-engaged learning and preparation.

"We've seen these needs firsthand for years. Students consistently seek support with resume and interview preparation, and whenever we've offered professional headshots on campus, the response has been tremendous. Bringing all this in-house was a natural next step," Crowley said. "We're providing students with a comprehensive set of modern resources that build confidence, strengthen their professional presence, and help prepare them for a successful transition from college to career."

Employer partnerships create student opportunities

The initiatives were made possible through employer partnerships that share Wayne State's commitment to early and engaging professional development.

Together with the university's Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (DEED), the Ilitch School Career Services office leveraged contributions from a host of employers to bring the initiatives to life. Contributions came from Enterprise Mobility, Fifth Third, Gallagher, Kelly Services, Mercantile Bank, Northwestern Mutual, Sherwin-Williams, and Whirlpool.

"This work illustrates how industry partnerships can create direct benefits for students while strengthening the talent pipeline for employers across Detroit and Michigan," said DEED's Sean Schroeder, associate director of corporate engagement. "The Ilitch School Career Services team identified opportunities, and these employers' support helped turn them into accessible, difference-making resources for students. It's a win for everyone involved."

As hiring practices and desired skill sets continue to evolve, Crowley said exposure to emerging technologies is a pivotal aspect of career readiness.

"Employers value students who are confident using AI appropriately and effectively in the workplace. They want graduates who understand how to apply it thoughtfully and responsibly," she said. "Our goal is to provide exposure and help students prepare to use AI in a positive and effective way before they enter the workforce."

Free, on-demand professional headshots

Not all headshots are created equal. The new Iris Booth, located in the Ilitch School Career Services office, allows students to take and distribute high-quality headshots at their leisure. Students simply enter their AccessID, take photos and edit them to their liking. The booth then sends the final output to their Wayne State email.

"With the ongoing popularity of digital recruiting platforms like LinkedIn and Handshake, along with portfolios and presentations, professional headshots are an essential part of a student's professional presence," Crowley said. "The Iris Booth gives students a free and convenient way to ensure their headshots - and by extension their professional brands - are polished and make a strong first impression."

Start to finish, the Iris Booth process can take as little as five minutes. It also offers customizable backgrounds, lighting and framing options. Students can stop by at any time during normal office hours, no appointment required.

"We want to make this resource as accessible and convenient as possible. Professional images should reflect who you are today, so being able to easily update your professional headshot is important," Crowley said. "We've even had faculty and staff take advantage of the Iris Booth, which is great to see. It's a valuable resource for the entire Ilitch School community."

VR- and AI-powered interview and resume prep

Beyond branding, Career Services has added resources that help students prepare for interviews, job applications and workplace scenarios. VirtualSpeech is a VR-based platform that helps students practice interviews, presentations, elevator pitches and more. After each session, it provides AI-driven feedback and skills coaching.

"VirtualSpeech allows students to practice real-world communication scenarios they'll encounter in their job search and throughout their career," Crowley said. "It is a powerful tool for building confidence and strengthening their interpersonal communication skills, which are essential in every workplace, across all industries. We provide students with access to immersive VR headsets that make practicing these skills eng

aging and fun, while also offering web-based access for those who prefer to use the platform on their own computer. This flexibility allows students to develop and refine their communication skills in a way that works best for them."

To complement VirtualSpeech, Ilitch School Career Services has also adopted SkillsFirst, an AI-assisted platform that helps students build stronger resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles and career fair pitches. The platform also provides students with short career assessments, career advice videos, and a career readiness score that aligns with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) competencies. SkillsFirst incorporates the NACE career competencies through a scoring feature in its Career Readiness Insights Module, which evaluates how effectively a student's resume demonstrates these core skills.

"SkillsFirst is another offering that allows students to use AI in an appropriate way to strengthen how they present themselves to employers," Crowley said. "They can practice and receive immediate feedback on application materials, LinkedIn profiles, and elevator pitches and continuously improve. It's another way students can build confidence, sharpen their professional brand, and better prepare to transition from college to a career."

Ultimately, the growing suite of resources at the Ilitch School - and throughout campus - reflects a university-wide mission: help Warriors build confidence and develop the skills they need to move swiftly and successfully from the classroom into their careers.

Learn more about these resources by visiting the Ilitch School Career Services team in Suite 299 of the Mike Ilitch School of Business building.

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