Applying Multiple Case Study Design to Evaluate College and University Career Centers in the USA and Türkiye

Year 2026, Volume: 13 Issue: 2, 41 - 62, 08.03.2026

Nurten Karacan Özdemir , Sylvia Nassar , Ahmet Ayaz

https://doi.org/10.17275/per.26.18.13.2

https://izlik.org/JA78ZD48FE

Abstract

Although career centers at colleges and universities have a much longer history in the USA compared to Türkiye, we believe that conducting multiple case studies for program evaluation and comparison provides valuable insights for career practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. Understanding the structural and functional aspects of these centers, as well as the services they offer, allows for a more informed discussion on best practices and areas in need of development. With this goal in mind, we designed a multiple case study to evaluate university and college career centers in major metropolitan areas in both the USA and Türkiye. Our data collection process involved conducting semi-structured interviews with key representatives from eight different career centers and analyzing information available on their respective university and college websites. The findings of our study highlight several areas for improvement, particularly in developing more comprehensive and holistic career development programs. Additionally, our research underscores the importance of integrating systematic needs assessments into career center operations, designing trainer training curricula to enhance the skills of career practitioners, and implementing rigorous program evaluation frameworks to assess effectiveness. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on how career centers can better serve students and align their services with evolving workforce demands.

Keywords

higher education , career and workforce development , career centers , program evaluation , cross-cultural study , model proposal

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