MyEdu, an online platform to help students plan and manage their college experience, unveiled on Wednesday two programs designed to improve the relationship between college and career.
The first product, MyEdu Student Profile, will allow students to create a visual representation of their academic performance, volunteer and work history, skills, and interests. The second, MyEdu for Employers, will give companies the chance to outline desired classes, experiences, and skills for job candidates, identify students who meet those specifications, and interact directly with students interested in the field.
“This is the first and only dedicated jobs-and-internships platform deeply embedded into students’ fabric of academics,” said Michael K. Crosno, founder, chief executive, and chairman of MyEdu.
MyEdu for Employers and Student Profile were developed in part to help deal with the high unemployment rate among recent college graduates.
“There is a need for a better connection between higher education and employment,” said Frank T. Lyman, senior vice president for product management and marketing.
Mr. Lyman said students had voiced frustration over résumé and professional-networking sites such as LinkedIn because they don’t allow students to fully show what they are capable of. “It’s really important to students to have a way to tell their story, what they accomplish in college, across academics, extracurriculars, and work,” he said. “We designed something specifically for students to tell their story—that’s visual and powered by academic data—effectively to employers.”
From the employment side, Mr. Lyman said companies wanted to reach students early in their college experience and help them make the right decisions to better position them for hiring. Companies, particularly small to medium-size ones, also need easier, faster, and more cost-effective methods for recruiting.
Mr. Lyman said MyEdu would give students a “return on education.” Since its launch, in 2008, MyEdu has given users opportunities to optimize class schedules, track grades, view professor recommendations, and more. With the new products, the service will provide visual student profiles that employers can use to determine strong candidates for jobs.
“We’ve helped students manage college,” said Mr. Lyman. “Now we’re helping tell their story, and helping employers find the right students.”