UC Irvine Announces the Division of Career Pathways

University Integrates Career Services and Continuing Education


IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of California, Irvine today announced the opening of the Division of Career Pathways (DCP), becoming the first U.S. university to use the designation “division” to name its career services for students and alumni. 

In another first, the DCP (formerly the UCI Career Center) will be closely associated with UCI’s Division of Continuing Education (DCE), under the leadership of Gary W. Matkin, Ph.D, vice provost for Career Pathways and dean of Continuing Education.

“The close association of career services and continuing education signals an exciting new era for UCI,” said Matkin. “The synergistic connection of these two important divisions illustrates UCI’s significant commitment to, and investment in, our students’ workplace preparation prior to and after graduation.”  

Under the direction of associate vice provost Suzanne Helbig, the DCP will enable UCI students, from very early in their academic pursuits, to gain the information and expertise that they need to identify and enter meaningful careers. Through a full array of online tools, videos, career readiness courses, and internship experiences, students and alumni will be work-ready and have the skills employers value most, specifically, leadership and communication.

The UCI DCP will continue and increase its ability to provide employers access to UCI’s vast talent pool of students, who will be ready and able to enrich the local, regional, and national workforce.

“UCI’s value to its students will endure throughout their lifetime and Orange County will be the primary beneficiary of the educational investment that its students have made,” said UCI Provost, Enrique Lavernia.

ABOUT THE DIVISION OF CAREER PATHWAYS: Established in 2017, the University of California, Irvine Division of Career Pathways (DCP) serves as the hub for career development and preparation for students, staff, and faculty, as well as a recruitment center for local, regional, and national organizations. The DCP, and its close cooperation with the Division of Continuing Education (DCE), strengthens UCI’s land grant mission to deliver continuing and lifelong education. Importantly, it illustrates the University’s significant commitment and investment in its student’s work-ready experience during their degree programs and after graduation. The DCE and the DCP are mutually supportive and cooperative campus service units, benefiting UCI students, alumni, staff, faculty, employers, and the local community. To learn more about the Division of Career Pathways, visit www.career.uci.edu.

ABOUT UCI DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION: The University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education (DCE) provides lifelong learning opportunities to thousands of students worldwide each year—fulfilling the school’s 60-year curriculum platform to connect degree programs to the world of work and achievement after graduation. The Division offers a broad range of certificate programs, specialized studies, and sequential courses to local, regional and global markets through online, on-campus and on-site delivery. A leader in the open education movement, the Division offers free Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) and content through the UCI Open initiative. For more information about UCI Division of Continuing Education, visit ce.uci.edu.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 28,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. Located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities, it’s Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $4.8 billion annually to the local economy.

CONTACT: Kathy Seaton Tam
kstam@uci.edu, (949) 824-5525