How can schools improve? Why the disparity? What is the reality?

92% of higher education professionals feel their schools do an effective job with career-preparation initiatives 😊.

11% of business leaders feel graduates are well prepared to join the workforce ☹.

These are the results based on a study/survey done by Higher Ed Dive and Grammarly for Education of college administrators available at:

https://resources.industrydive.com/how-well-is-higher-ed-preparing-graduates-for-the-future

Employer results are based on a Gallup-Lumina poll mentioned in the above article.

Additionally, according to administrators, almost 2/3 of students integrate the tech tools students need. Just over half said they require students to work in teams. Less than half (45%) claim that out-of-classroom opportunities such as internships/externships are promoted.

While 96% of administrators agree that soft skills such as communication are crucial, a majority, 60%, said that students struggled with several important communication issues.

Please join us for our next webinar, which will discuss the logistics and use of the Career & Life Training Program, further discussed below, on Thursday, July 13, from 12 noon to 12:30 pm ET. Register for this free training through this link.

As an FYI, our summer pilot of our 17-module Career & Life Course is well underway and has been very successful. We have received excellent feedback for this well-received program. As a Career Capsule reader, you are welcome to reach out directly via https://futureforwardacademy.com/c3-project-course and click on “Find Out More” to gain access to the first four modules of our 17-module Career Compass Course at no charge. You are invited to gain access and register at training of the four modules (or share with a student staff member, or colleague). We welcome your feedback. We are also inviting you to join us on July 13 for further insights, as mentioned above.

In June, my colleague, Dr. AnnaMaria Bliven and I were invited to speak at the annual NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) Conference in Orlando. This is THE gathering of career and employer professionals focused on serving college students. Over 2,000 representatives from career service offices across the country, along with employers tasked with recruiting students, gathered to learn, share, and address issues facing students, institutions, and employers. The live surveys we took at our well-attended session included questions on the specific needs of career service offices. Prior surveys by NACE indicated that about 1/3 of students, on average, ultimately engage with their career service office. So, what might it take to reach more students AND provide stronger results to tip the scales to where employers might gain access to students more prepared to enter the workforce?

The following summary resulted:

Top 🥇Critical Career Services Office Resource Needs:

1st – More Staff

2nd – More Face Time with Students

3rd – Increased Funding

4th – Enhanced Faculty Collaboration

This appears to indicate that more resources are needed, and gaining access to those students is critical. Also worthy of mention, at a strong #4, is increased faculty engagement.

BEST 🥇Engagement Strategies for Students:

1st – Peer-to-Peer Mentoring

2nd – Amplified Visibility/Exposure

3rd – Alumni/Company Engagement

4th – Educational Seminars & Workshops

Number 1 above surprised both AnnaMaria and me. It seemed to acknowledge that to reach more students, the offices needed more students actively engaging with their peers. It was interesting that the actual seminars and workshops were lower on the priority list. This is probably due to the lack of student engagement, which has been noted in many NACE discussion threads.

Now for a plug on what we’re doing. As mentioned above, we have designed a training program that prepares students to get a job, keep a job, level up… and don’t mess up. Our training program is rigorous and produces results. As an “afterglow” from the webinar conducted in June 2023, we gave an overview of our program/project to Dr. Cari Walker, Assistant Director, Professional Development, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). View this video and see this training course and the peer-to-peer mentoring certification training that follows after graduating from the Career Compass Course.

As readers of the Career Capsule, we are extending a special invitation for you to review the first four modules of the 17-module Career Compass Course at no charge. You are invited to review this training of the four modules (or share it with a student or staff member) and provide feedback. We are also inviting you to join us for the next webinar, which will discuss the logistics of this training next Thursday, July 13, from 12 noon to 12:30 pm ET. Register for this training with this link.

It is our mission to help students be prepared to get a job, keep a job, level up, and not mess up, making it possible for them to achieve and maintain success in life and their careers. We know it is your mission, too.

We look forward to continuing to be of service as we all continue to help our students, staff, and colleagues make a difference!

Using the R-STAR prompting method with GPT-4, developed by this author (happy to share with anybody that might be interested…or wanting a keynote speaker), in the words of this AI below, “Forever Forward” is the theme of the Prompts & Response shown here. Note: You will notice that the prompting is a dialogue with multiple queries rather than a single question and answer. Though each of the prompts below received a response, in addition to the multiple prompts, I will only be providing the final response.

Prompt Question:

You are a career service director at a small college of 4000 students with 20 years of experience helping students get internships, jobs, and careers. What are the top 10 things, in order of priority, a career service office can do to best meet the needs of their students and get them started on the right foot?

2nd Prompt Question:

Please number the above and add a concrete action that can be initiated through the career service office for each item.

3rd Prompt Question:

Put the above in a numbered outline format. Include the specific action items for each of the points listed. At the beginning of each point, propose a tagline of five words or less using alliteration that would be attractive for students to see and would foster student engagement.

4th Prompt Question:

Before including the action item, give a more detailed description of why such an idea is worthwhile and what impact it would have, and then follow with the action item.

GPT-4 Response:

Certainly, here are the detailed descriptions for each point, the impact they could have, and the corresponding actions:

1. “Curating Career Conversations” – Individual Career Counseling

• Description & Impact: One-on-one career counseling allows students to receive personalized guidance that can help identify their strengths and career interests and develop a comprehensive career plan. This not only provides students with a clear direction for their future but also empowers them with the confidence to pursue their career goals.
• Action: Implement a scheduling system where students can easily book appointments with career counselors.

2. “Assess and Ascend” – Career Assessment Tools

• Description & Impact: Assessment tools like Myers-Briggs and SkillScan can provide valuable insights into students’ personality traits, aptitudes, and interests, helping them understand which careers may be a good fit. This self-awareness can increase their motivation, satisfaction, and success in their chosen career path.
• Action: Purchase subscriptions for these tools and integrate them into the career services website.

3. “Internship Integration” – Internship and Co-op Opportunities

• Description & Impact: Internships provide invaluable real-world experience, allowing students to apply their classroom learning in a practical setting, gain new skills, and make industry connections. This experience can increase their employability and provide them with a competitive edge in the job market.
• Action: Design an outreach program to potential businesses and maintain a regularly updated database of available opportunities.

4. “Job Junction” – Job Fair & Networking Events

• Description & Impact: Job fairs and networking events expose students to potential employers, broaden their understanding of the job market, and help them establish important professional connections. Such events can increase their chances of securing employment and jump-start their careers.
• Action: Plan a semesterly job fair and invite local and national companies to attend.

5. “Alumni Association” – Alumni Engagement

• Description & Impact: Engaging with alumni can provide students with industry insights, mentorship, and potential job opportunities. This can help students feel more prepared for the transition to work, increase their industry knowledge, and expand their professional network.
• Action: Create an alumni mentorship program where interested alumni can mentor current students in their intended field.

6. “Workshop Wonders” – Workshops and Seminars

• Description & Impact: Workshops and seminars on key career development topics can equip students with essential job search skills, like resume writing and interview preparation. By improving these skills, students can increase their confidence and effectiveness in the job search process.
• Action: Schedule weekly workshops with guest speakers from various industries or have career counselors lead seminars on career-related topics.

7. “Establishing Employer Engagements” – Employer Partnerships

• Description & Impact: Developing relationships with employers across various industries can open up more job opportunities for students and can also keep the career services office informed about current industry trends and employer expectations. This can increase the number of job opportunities available to students and ensure that they are well-prepared to meet employers’ needs.
• Action: Set up an Employer Relations team within the career services office to develop and maintain relationships with employers.

8. “Online Opportunities” – Online Resources and Job Boards

• Description & Impact: A centralized online hub for career resources allows students to access key information and opportunities at their convenience. By providing easy access to these resources, the career services office can support students’ independent job search efforts and increase their engagement with career development activities.
• Action: Develop an online portal exclusive to the college community where students can access these resources anytime, anywhere.

9. “Graduate Guidance” – Graduate School Guidance

• Description & Impact: Providing guidance on graduate school can help students make informed decisions about their further education, and ensure that they are well-prepared for the application process. This can increase their chances of being accepted into their desired programs and make the application process less stressful.
• Action: Set up information sessions about applying to graduate school, featuring presentations from admission officers of various graduate programs.

10. “Forever Forward” – Follow-up and Continuous Support

• Description & Impact: Ongoing career support for alumni can help them navigate the early stages of their careers, continue developing their professional skills, and maintain connections with their alma mater. This can enhance their early career success and foster a strong, supportive alumni network.
• Action: Implement an alumni career services program, providing resources and services specifically tailored to recent graduates.

If you want to discuss anything further or would like to share insights, please feel free to comment directly on this newsletter post and/or reach out at https://Calendly.com/DrScottCPA.

✍🏼 Subscribe and share this link to our monthly newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/CareerCapsuleNewsletter

📞 Text or call at 608.446.1000

✉ Email at [email protected]

✨ Connect/Follow on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/DrScottCPA

🎁 Get Dr. Scott’s Book: Your COMPLETE Guide to SUCCEEDING with LinkedIn at https://www.amazon.com/author/drscottcpa