Employability Career Development Centers (ECDC)

In 2012, The American University in Cairo’s (AUC) Career Center was selected as one of the implementing partners in the Career Development Centers Program, established by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in cooperation with the Government of Egypt to enhance formal career education in public universities and to develop university graduates’ employability skills.

Building on the technical expertise of its career center, The American University in Cairo (AUC) established three Employability and Career Development Centers (ECDCs) within public universities in two Egyptian governorates – namely, Suez Canal University (SCU) in Ismailia and Ain Shams University (ASU) - Main campus and Engineering campus - in Cairo. The project was implemented with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). AUC provided capacity building for the ECDC staff towards being certified as career development facilitators (CDFs) and provide students with the required career services that would enhance their employability in the working world. 

The career development center staff help the Egyptian university students in their career planning process and provide them with individual and group career advising services that contribute to their self-awareness and equip them with job search skills.  The centers support students in exploring available career options and liaised with companies to generate career opportunities for the students.

In collaboration with training partners, these efforts were complemented with employability skills tracks, English language courses and other technical training to help prepare a skilled workforce that meets the industry needs.  In addition, the centers provide various employer services that include an annual employment fair to host companies interested in hiring university graduates, announce different job opportunities and internships and host on-campus corporate information sessions.

The Employability and Career Development Centers served around 40,000 students throughout the life span of the project. On Wednesday, May 24, 2017, the AUC celebrated the completion of the ECDC project implemented at ASU and SCU.