Okan University Career Services Explained — A Practical Guide for International Recruiters, Admissions and Edtech Partners
Okan University Career Services Explained — Overview and Strategic Value
Okan University’s Career Center is designed to help students understand themselves, plan realistic career paths, and meet employer expectations. For international recruiters and higher education professionals, the Career Center is a centralized ecosystem that:
- Prepares students with job-ready skills early in their studies.
- Creates measurable touchpoints for employer engagement (career fairs, internships, CO-OP).
- Maintains active placement support after graduation, increasing graduate employability and long-term brand reputation.
Core Components of Okan University’s Career Center
1. Career Counseling and Personal Guidance
The Career Center provides one-to-one counseling in:
- Career choice and planning.
- Resume/CV writing and LinkedIn optimization.
- Interview preparation and assessment centers.
- Job search strategies tailored to both local and international markets.
Actionable tip: For recruiters, offer mock interviews or technical assessments tailored to your hiring needs. This increases your visibility on campus and speeds hiring.
2. Business Life Program — Early, Real Work Experience
The Business Life Program places students into real workplace settings from their first year. Benefits include:
- Early skill development (communication, teamwork, problem solving).
- Opportunity for employers to identify and groom talent early.
- Measurable workplace performance data that can inform hiring decisions.
3. CO-OP (Workplace Supported Education) Program
CO-OP integrates academic learning with a practical placement—typically during the last semester—so students graduate with applied experience relevant to their field.
4. Mandatory Internships and Industry Partnerships
Many programs include compulsory internships that are supported by institutional agreements with more than 700 companies. This network provides:
- A steady supply of internship and part-time roles.
- Opportunities for full-time conversion post-graduation.
- Diverse industry exposure for students across disciplines.
5. Career Fairs, Networking and Employer Events
Okan organizes regular fairs and networking events that connect students with hiring managers, recruiters and alumni. Events typically include:
- Company stands and on-site interviews.
- Panel sessions on sector trends.
- Workshops on recruitment processes and employer expectations.
6. Skill Development Workshops and Continuous Learning
Workshops cover areas such as:
- Soft skills (presentation, negotiation).
- Industry trends and sector-specific technical skills.
- Digital skills and edtech tools for modern workplaces.
7. Job Placement Support and Alumni Services
The Career Center maintains placement support after graduation and leverages a strong alumni network for mentoring and job leads—important for long-tail placement success and employer outreach.
8. Student Insurance Coverage for Internships
To protect students during work placements, the university provides insurance coverage for occupational diseases and accidents—a significant compliance and safety benefit for partnering employers.
How Okan’s Model Supports International Recruitment and Agencies
Okan’s combined set of services creates advantages for those recruiting international students or arranging placements:
- Streamlined candidate qualification: Recruiters can target students who have completed specific workshops, internships or CO-OP placements, reducing screening time.
- Employer engagement opportunities: Career fairs and the Business Life Program enable brand presence early in the student lifecycle.
- Compliance and risk reduction: Insurance coverage for internships makes it easier for international employers to run placements with lower legal risk.
- Post-graduation support: The Career Center’s placement services improve long-term outcomes and employer satisfaction.
Best Practices for Recruiters and Agencies
- Partner early: Engage during students’ first or second year to access the Business Life Program cohort.
- Design targeted internship projects: Provide clear, mentored projects that can transition into CO-OP or full-time roles.
- Share assessment criteria: Align your hiring rubric with the Career Center’s skills workshops to improve candidate fit.
- Use alumni ambassadors: Work with Okan alumni for outreach in international markets.
Practical Checklist for Admissions Teams, Recruiters and HR Professionals
Use this checklist to operationalize a partnership with Okan University or similar institutions in Turkiye:
Before Partnership
- Define hiring needs and ideal candidate profiles.
- Identify relevant faculties and programs (e.g., business, engineering, health sciences).
During Engagement
- Offer role descriptions and project briefs for internships/CO-OP.
- Provide interview training sessions and assessment rubrics to Career Center staff.
- Participate in career fairs and host on-campus employer days.
After Placements
- Share performance feedback with the Career Center.
- Offer conversion opportunities and maintain alumni networks.
- Measure KPIs and iterate on your partnership model.
Frequently Asked Questions (for Recruiters and Admissions Staff)
When should recruiters start engaging with students?
Early—first and second year engagement through the Business Life Program benefits both talent identification and employer brand building.
How does CO-OP differ from internships?
CO-OP is an academically integrated placement typically in the final semester, blending coursework and a sustained workplace project. Internships may occur at various points and can be shorter.
What makes Okan graduates attractive to international employers?
Structured workplace exposure, skills workshops, industry partnerships, and post-graduation placement support combine to produce candidates who are both professionally competent and globally oriented.
Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye
Partner with Study in Turkiye to scale your recruitment, integrate automation tools, and build sustainable placement pathways across Okan and other leading Turkiye universities. Contact us to discuss partnership models and campus engagement campaigns tailored to your hiring needs.