The Clutch Services App is a platform that was imagined with the intent to bridge the gap in the Arizona State student commerce market that exists between student entrepreneurs and consumers. Our thesis validated the gap in the market through intensive research that emphasized student demand and an in-person demonstration of the problem the application would seek to solve. We consistently surveyed the student population testing if there is an existing platform that closes the gap in the market, their awareness of entrepreneurs on campus, interest in supporting student-owned businesses, and overall interest in a platform that would host ASU student-owned businesses. Additionally, we hosted an ASU Student Business Fair, on campus, to physically represent the functionality of the app and its purpose. Through these methods we were able to successfully validate the demand for a platform, exclusively for ASU students, that showcases student-owned businesses to better connect them with the student population.

Supply & Demand, the phrase speaks to the tango between college graduates seeking employment & employers seeking talent. Recruiters desire candidates with employability skills to lead, but report significant skill gaps among applicants. This thesis aims to (1) define the skills gap evidenced by employers, (2) determine students’ career preparedness, and (3) identify strategies to bridge the gap among undergraduate students as they prepare to join the workforce. Qualtrics, an experience management, and survey platform, was used to reach and collect information from nearly 1,200 students in order to quantitatively assess their career development skills and needs. As part of this thesis, I have partnered with the T.W. Lewis Center for Personal Development, a center of Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University in an effort to test and provide effective solutions to bridge the employability skills gap. Through this collaboration, we have constructed a Career Development Workshop Series for students using the data collected from students. The workshop was built to teach students about professional skill topics that they desired to learn about, but could not find on or off-campus. The Lewis Center Career Development Workshop is a 5-part series with topics ranging from negotiation and job interviewing to strength-building. In each workshop, an expert is selected as the guest speaker to share their experience and insights with students as they prepare for their career journeys. Guest speakers include CEOs, entrepreneurs, business executives, and more. The series is intended to deepen students’ business acumen, so they can enter the workforce with a sustainable advantage and ultimately supported the professional and personal growth of over 100 students. The series serves as an example of ways our university can improve its career development offerings to students. In an increasingly competitive labor market, the research collected and solutions presented are designed to empower students in their careers.