Career fairs at Iowa State University (ISU) are a massive undertaking. With over 17,000 attendees across 12 events in just two months, managing the logistics required more than spreadsheets and goodwill—it needed a platform built to deliver results. After 15 years on the same career services system, ISU sought more than just a new tool. They wanted a partner who could innovate, collaborate, and adapt to their needs. “We wanted a vendor who truly listens, and 12twenty delivered,” said Shalika Khindurangala.
The decision to switch came with ambitious goals: modernize career fairs, streamline campus-wide operations, and deliver measurable results—all on a tight timeline.
One of ISU’s top priorities was implementing event kiosks to handle career fair check-ins. “It was a deal-breaker,” Shalika shared, underscoring the importance of the feature. 12twenty worked closely with ISU to develop and pilot the system, incorporating their feedback to create a solution tailored to their needs.
The impact was immediate. At the flagship Engineering Career Fair, over 17,000 attendees participated across 12 events, with 80% using kiosks for seamless check-ins. This transformed a historically challenging process into an effortless experience.
ISU’s challenges extended far beyond event logistics. As a decentralized campus with nine independent career centers, collaboration was often siloed, leaving teams disconnected. The transition to 12twenty helped unify operations, fostering a stronger sense of collaboration and efficiency across the university.
“Making the switch to 12twenty and working with their team really helped our teams come together,” said Kellie. “Switching to 12twenty unified our teams and transformed how we support students, employers, and staff.” With 30,000 active users and 351 admins operating on one platform, ISU now delivers a cohesive experience for everyone involved.
In just three months, ISU launched its first module, completed the rollout of new tools across nine centers, and automated over 1,800 invoices using the Orders API. These tools didn’t just improve efficiency—they elevated the experience for students and employers alike.
“12twenty’s implementation was hands-on and seamless,” Shalika said. “We immediately saw success.” With these quick wins, ISU demonstrated how rapid adoption can lead to long-term benefits.
12twenty’s approach was rooted in true partnership, engaging ISU as active collaborators in shaping the platform. By incorporating their feedback and involving them in piloting features like event kiosks, 12twenty ensured that the tools aligned with ISU’s unique needs. “It wasn’t just about software; it was about collaboration,” shared Kellie. “We’re proud to call 12twenty a true partner.”
ISU’s journey with 12twenty is a blueprint for what’s possible when innovation meets collaboration. From uniting a decentralized campus to modernizing career fairs, the partnership redefined what career services can achieve. By leveraging technology, teamwork, and a shared vision, ISU delivered measurable success for its students, employers, and staff—proving that meaningful change can happen in just three months.
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