Implementing virtual career counseling and advising at a major University

With college students using the Internet to meet a variety of professional and personal needs, college campuses are seeking ways to enhance their student services by using emerging technologies. In this case study, the authors discuss the implementation of online career advising and planning services via synchronous chat sessions. Given the constraints concerning vendor selection, procurement issues, software implementation, and limited budgets, it was critical for the career counseling team to find a robust, secure, and affordable software platform to meet their needs. It was important that this software and service appeal to students as they sought personal career development. The team considered existing practice standards to guide the implementation of this innovative student service. With these elements in place, the authors discuss the process of launching an online career planning and advising program and the resulting challenges that emerged.