The Need for Better-Funded Career Services

Earlier this year, Inside Higher Ed & College Pulse launched a “flash survey” focused on how colleges and universities are preparing their students for their post-graduation career outcomes. 1200+ students across 58 institutions responded.

In my decade-plus working in Higher Ed—as an instructor, an admissions rep, an academic advisor, and an experiential learning coordinator—I have seen the challenges of career prep. In particular, universities often emphasize (fund) recruitment over student satisfaction and retention, meaning that advising teams—academic, career, etc.—are often short-staffed and underfunded.

The reason for this is understandable in some respects: it’s easier to quantify the financial ROI for new students than it is the more murky, nebulous realm of student and alumni satisfaction, which might be measured over years—decades—as opposed to a single admissions cycle.

The average student-to-advisor ratio varies significantly across institutions.

For career counseling, the U.S. Department of Education reported a national student-to-counselor ratio of 408:1 for the academic year 2021–2022, with a recommended ratio at 250:1.

High student-to-advisor ratios can (and do) limit the ability of advisors to provide personalized guidance and support. This can affect students' ability to receive timely advice on career planning, job search strategies, and other career-related services.

In this week’s edition of The Hired Edge, we’ll take a look at some of the findings in this survey to see what it reveals about students’ career hopes, the influence of parents, and how colleges can step up their game to help students succeed in the job market

Career Prep: Expectations vs. Reality

The aforementioned “flash survey” above shows there is a significant gap between students' expectations and their perceived preparation by colleges.

While 80% of students believe that college should prepare them for a job or career they love, less than half feel their institutions are effectively doing so.

Similarly, there are discrepancies in expectations for preparation for well-paying jobs and quick job placement after graduation, with only 40% and 28% of students, respectively, feeling well-prepared in these areas.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: FACTORS AT PLAY

Parental Influence

Parents play a substantial role in shaping students' career plans—especially for continuing-generation students (at least one parent who has attended college or university).

Four in five students report parental influence, with 40% encouraged to study specific fields and 30% assisted in researching potential careers. However, first-generation students report less parental influence compared to their continuing-generation peers.

Only one in 10 students says their parents encouraged them to visit campus career services.

Role of Faculty & Advisors

Nearly two-thirds of students expect professors to assist in career preparation and job placement. Over half of the students believe academic advisers should also play a significant role in this process. This indicates a desire for more faculty and adviser involvement beyond traditional career services.

Challenges for First Gen Students

First-generation students face unique challenges, with less parental influence on career planning.

Experts suggest that institutions should provide more tailored support to these students, such as integrating career competencies into curricula and offering specific career-related courses.

Work-Integrated Learning

The survey underscores the limited availability of work-integrated learning opportunities, such as internships and co-op programs, in the U.S. compared to countries like Canada and Australia.

Recommendations for Improvement

Experts recommend empowering faculty to incorporate career-related information into coursework and creating discipline-specific courses to better align academic learning with career preparation. Additionally, institutions should focus on making learning more relevant and meaningful to bridge the gap between education and career outcomes.

ISSUES WITH HIGHER ED AS CAREER-PREP TOOL

On the flip-side, the idea of making college primarily a career-preparation tool has sparked debate.

Here are some of the key points of debate:

1. Narrowing Educational Focus: Critics argue that focusing solely on career preparation limits the broader educational mission of colleges, which traditionally includes fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a well-rounded understanding of the world. This approach could undermine the development of skills that are not directly tied to specific job functions but are valuable in a rapidly changing job market

2. Misalignment with Employer Needs: There is a concern that colleges are not effectively aligning their career-prep programs with actual employer needs. This misalignment can result in graduates who are technically prepared but lack the soft skills and adaptability that employers value

3. Equity and Access Issues: Emphasizing career preparation might exacerbate existing inequalities in higher education. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds may not have the same access to career resources and networks, potentially widening the gap between them and their more privileged peers

4. Overemphasis on Immediate Job Placement: Focusing on career preparation often prioritizes immediate job placement over long-term career development. This can lead to students being funneled into jobs that may not align with their passions or long-term goals, potentially leading to dissatisfaction and high turnover rates

5. Undervaluing Liberal Arts: There is a concern that an intense focus on career preparation could devalue liberal arts education, which is known for cultivating critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. These skills are increasingly recognized as essential in a complex and dynamic workforce

Now What?

It's clear that while career preparation is an essential component of the college experience, it can’t and shouldn't be the sole focus. Colleges have the challenging task of balancing career readiness with a broader educational mission, ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have access to the resources they need to succeed.

Well-funded career services enhance the institution's reputation by improving graduate employment rates, which in turn can attract more students and increase alumni engagement. Career services also play a critical role in connecting campus talent with local and regional employers, thereby contributing to the economic impact of the institution.

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