SPDC Faculty Career Champion: CJ Fleming guides students’ real-world experiences in psychology

With a passion for helping students connect academic concepts to real-world experiences, CJ Fleming’s commitment to career development has made a lasting impact on students pursuing psychology. The Student Professional Development Center (SPDC) created the Faculty Career Champions program to celebrate faculty whose exceptional commitment to enhancing students’ professional skills and expertise lead to successful outcomes for Elon’s undergraduates.

Motivating students to discover their career paths

Fleming’s own journey into clinical psychology involved transformative internships, sparking her commitment to ensuring students have similar hands-on learning experiences.

“When I came to Elon as a professor, one of my top priorities was to make sure that students had the same opportunities to discover psychology in the real world that I did,” she said.

She emphasizes that students’ internships allow them to bring course material to life, fostering meaningful connections between classroom learning and their future careers.

Memorable moments in career progression

Fleming leads an internship course where students work on national and local mental health crisis lines, providing crucial support to those in need. This unique opportunity gives students practical experience and insight into the demands of mental health work.

“Several students have discovered their love of counseling and have gone on to apply to mental health graduate programs,” she said.

For some, the course reveals that counseling is not the right path — a revelation she finds equally valuable. By providing students with an honest look at the realities of clinical work, she helps them make informed decisions about their futures.

Encouraging career development in the classroom

Fleming’s advice to faculty interested in incorporating career development is simple: “Don’t be afraid!” She believes career-focused elements in the classroom enhance, rather than detract from, academic learning.

“If we can help students see how they might use this information in their daily lives going forward, their investment only goes up,” she noted, underscoring the power of connecting academic content with future career applications.

Collaboration with Career Services

Partnering with Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences Career Services has further enhanced Fleming’s ability to support her students.

“Working with this team has been a delight from start to finish,” she said.

Her collaboration with the SPDC team has allowed her to better connect students and departments with career resources, creating a support network that bridges academic and career goals.

“I encourage everyone to get to know the SPDC team better!” she said, recognizing the invaluable resources and connections this partnership has provided.

Through her dedication as a Faculty Career Champion, Fleming continues to inspire students in psychology to explore their career paths thoughtfully, ensuring they are prepared for the challenges and rewards that lie ahead.