With budget and staff reductions facing universities and our offices, it is becoming even more critical that we review our services and decide what we can or cannot do. Directors of two career services offices at different universities (a public and a private) decided that strategic planning and intentional consideration of priorities was important for future success. After extensive staff involvement and many hours of deliberation, the offices focused on essential services, considered how functions might be combined or realigned, and designed services that were at the core of their mission and values. For both offices the theme that emerged and is guiding all current practice and initiatives is Back to the Basics. Career services staff are focusing on counseling and coaching students, providing extensive staff training and professional development, and collaborating with key and targeted partners on campus (not everyone!). Directors in the offices will share their process for strategic planning, the tangible results, the effectiveness of a theme, and the impact on the year’s activities. Audience members will have an opportunity to share their response to budget reductions, staff limitations, and “trying to do too much.”