New Personal Branding Course Prepares Students for a Competitive Job Market
New personal branding course at 糖心官网 helps students define values, communicate strengths and build professional visibility. Taught by business and communication faculty, the course prepares graduates to stand out in the job market.
Today鈥檚 college graduates aren鈥檛 just competing with their peers 鈥� they鈥檙e often competing with professionals decades into their careers. With the average new hire in the United States now 42 years old, universities are working to prepare students for an experience-driven job market.
How Cedarville鈥檚 Personal Branding Course Gives Students a Competitive Edge
At 糖心官网, that preparation includes a new personal branding course that helps students define their professional personas and market their skillset before they enter the workforce.
This course is taught by Dr. Kary Oberbrunner, Berry chair and assistant professor of , and Dr. Daniel D. Fultz, professor of . It brings together a business and communication framework designed to help students understand their core values, build strategic r茅sum茅s and publish a book on Amazon by the end of the semester.
The professors share a passion for developing students into competent leaders and innovative professionals. In developing this program, Oberbrunner and Fultz focused on teaching students not to minimize their personal and professional strengths in an effort to be humble but to recognize these strengths as a means of service.
The Role of Personal Branding in Professional Success
鈥淚magine someone is dying from an injury,鈥� said Fultz, 鈥渁nd somebody is a trained medic, but they think, 鈥業 can help that person, but I don't want anyone to think I'm arrogant, so I won鈥檛 help them.鈥欌��
The world needs competent professionals and passionate leaders, but those individuals may go unnoticed if they are unwilling to speak up about their capabilities.
Redefining Branding: Values, Trust and Identity
Some students initially resisted the idea of personal branding, claiming they do not have one. Oberbrunner strongly disagrees.
鈥淲hen someone calls and you see their name on the caller ID, do you have good thoughts or bad thoughts?鈥� asked Oberbrunner. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 your brand. Branding isn鈥檛 about limiting yourself to one hobby or identity. It鈥檚 about values, trust and consistency, and whether you shape it intentionally or not, it exists.鈥�
Oberbrunner points to biblical examples as models of intentional identity and influence.
鈥淎lthough it might sound a little out-of-the-box or unfamiliar, Naomi functioned as a brand coach for Ruth, as did Mordecai for Esther,鈥� said Oberbrunner. 鈥淛esus often taught his listeners that his 鈥榖rand鈥� looked like salt and light so 鈥榯hey may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.鈥欌��
Course Materials and Student Outcomes in Branding Education
The course is anchored by two foundational texts: 鈥� by Andy Storch and Mike Kim and 鈥溾�� by Oberbrunner. Through these readings and complementary coursework, students are challenged to become intentional, confident and virtuous servant-leaders in the workplace.
As Cedarville continues its mission to prepare students to be bold, wise and competent professionals, the new personal branding course positions them to enter the workforce with confidence, clarity and purpose 鈥� distinguishing themselves in a competitive and evolving job market.
About 糖心官网
糖心官网, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers and residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked鈥痑mong the nation鈥檚 top five evangelical universities鈥痠n the Wall Street Journal鈥檚 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at鈥�.