Making the Case for

Career Services Resources

You’re being asked to reach more students, strengthen partnerships, and demonstrate results. But when you ask for the resources to deliver, the conversation stalls.

How do you move from “we need more support” to a proposal leadership is prepared to act on?

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll work on a real resource request and build a case that connects your needs to institutional priorities. With guided exercises and peer feedback, you’ll sharpen your argument, identify the evidence you need, and prepare for the questions decision-makers will ask.

Bring a request for a staff position, operating funds, technology, or other infrastructure. You’ll leave with:

• A draft resource proposal explaining the institutional challenge, the investment needed, and what it would make possible.
• An evidence checklist identifying what supports your case and what you still need to gather.
• A clearer approach to the leadership conversation, including responses to questions about alternatives, tradeoffs, and expected results.

You don’t need a polished proposal or every data point before you attend. Bring a specific need and enough context to begin building your case.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to:

1. Connect a resource request to institutional priorities, using evidence to explain the problem and why action is needed now.
2. Develop a specific investment proposal that identifies the resources needed, what they will enable, and how progress will be assessed.
3. Present and defend the request, addressing questions about alternatives, tradeoffs, and the consequences of maintaining current resources.

This workshop is designed for career services directors, department heads, and other higher education professionals responsible for securing resources for career preparation.

It’s especially relevant if you’re preparing a budget request, proposing a new position, seeking support for an initiative, or revisiting a request that hasn’t gained traction.