OSU-Tulsa series pairs certificate opportunities, faculty expertise and career guidance to give students job market edge

OSU-Tulsa series pairs certificate opportunities, faculty expertise and career guidance to give students job market edge

Monday, March 16, 2026

Media Contact: Aaron Campbell | OSU-Tulsa Communications Coordinator | 918-899-4960 | [email protected]

In a competitive labor market, finding ways to stand out in the crowd can be a challenge for job-seekers. That's why OSU-Tulsa Career Services is creating opportunities to help students and alumni gain career credentials that employers say they're looking for.

"I want to make sure that our students have a competitive edge and that they are prepared for their recruiters," said OSU-Tulsa Career Services Coordinator Natasha Coffelt.

Following Google's $2 million commitment to accelerate artificial intelligence education and workforce readiness across the OSU system, Coffelt wanted to better prepare OSU-Tulsa students for a career at companies like theirs. A contact at Google recommended the Google Professional Certificates on Coursera, a collection of certificate programs which OSU-Tulsa students can access for free. The topics of each certificate include IT support, cyber security, UX design and project management.

With a little persuasion, Dr. Bjorn Larson­ -­ teaching assistant professor in the computer science department, who already completed each certificate - agreed to a big idea: free support sessions to help students work through the certificate series one course at a time.

A hit series

Each semester since Summer 2025, Larson and Coffelt have operated a step-by-step weekly support session for students earning the Google Professional Certificates.

In a 30-minute Zoom call each Monday, the students first go over the modules with Larson. Afterwards, Coffelt presents the latest from OSU-Tulsa Career Services - updates on career fairs, networking opportunities and job searching advice. Then they are free to work through the course at their own pace throughout the week.

During the final Zoom session, students learn how to advertise their new certificate to employers, including how to list it on their resume and how to use it on sites like Credly and LinkedIn.

With nearly 50 students enrolled in support sessions for the first certificate in the series, the Google IT Support Certificate, Coffelt and Larson knew they had a hit on their hands.

Creating valuable experience

"The students have actually gotten some extra networking opportunities because they were in the Zoom calls," Coffelt said. "Two of my students ended up getting interviews and then hired from things that I had shared during the Zoom."

Students are free to come and go to Larson and Coffelt's Zoom sessions each week as they have questions or need support, allowing them to complete the certificate on their own time.

"I thought it was a good experience, I would definitely do it again," said Ryan Cherry, an MBA student who completed the project management certificate and participated in the weekly OSU-Tulsa support chats. "I was in the middle of a career search and I thought it would help add to my resume and my ability to find a new role."

Cherry had tried to earn the certificate on his own roughly a year ago but never completed it. He said the Zoom sessions ultimately helped give him the structure and guidance to complete it.

"Having Dr. Larson there to add additional context and how [the skills] would apply in a business setting was really interesting," he said. "Having Natasha there was great too, because she was able to talk about job openings or things going on with the career hiring cycle."

Cherry also found value in the support sessions beyond assistance with completing the course.

"I would say it gives you a lot more access to both a professor and another professional within the OSU system and can really help you build networks." Cherry said. "I felt like I learned a lot and walked away with an additional certification that really helps me."

Students and alumni can book an appointment with Coffelt for help with job searches, preparing for interviews, applying to graduate school, salary negotiations and more at slate.okstate.edu/portal/careersvcs.