Help Your Students Launch Their Professional Future with Career Decision-Making Skills

Educators play a crucial role in students’ career decisions and professional development. While some students see a clear pathway between their academic work and a fulfilling career, many struggle with deciding which path to follow. In his book, Bound-for-Career Guidebook: A Student Guide to Career Exploration, Decision Making, and the Job Search, counselor and educator Frank Burtnett shares practical tips for supporting students who are struggling to envision their professional futures.

Encourage self-discovery

According to a 2017 LinkedIn survey, 75% of 25-33-year-old respondents reported experiencing a quarter-life crisis. The top concern among survey respondents: finding a job they are passionate about. As Burtnett reminds us, the current generation of students and young professionals prioritizes following passions and interests. Educators can play a critical role in helping students find balance between realism (including honest self-appraisal!) and expansive dreaming. We can also encourage students to discover their unique characteristics through self-reflection, journalling, experiential learning, and discussions with friends, family, mentors, and career counselors. 

Share career information

Educators can facilitate student career decision-making by sharing industry knowledge (for example, recommending professional associations students might benefit from joining) and leveraging professional connections (for example, inviting colleagues to come into the classroom and share their unique career perspectives). Burtnett also suggests using career informational interviews and shadowing opportunities to help inform student career choices. Finally, instructors can take advantage of professional support and resources offered by campus career centers like Drexel’s Steinbright Career Development Center. Among Steinbright’s offerings is FOCUS 2, a career assessment tool available free of charge to all Drexel students. FOCUS 2, which can be self-administered, allows students to explore career pathways in their major armed with information from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, including average wages and occupation growth. 

Relate education to career success

Burtnett identifies five key factors in educational and career success: knowledge, skill, competence, experience, and satisfaction. Educators can support the development and integration of these interlocking factors. For example, by designing authentic assignments and team projects that integrate knowledge with practical application, we can help move students from theory to practice. We can also support future career satisfaction by helping students understand their values, needs, and interests, so that they can seek out compatible work environments and working styles. Finally, we can share our own professional histories, including how different organizations provided different work experiences even if the field or role were the same.

The guidance, mentorship, and expertise offered by educators can help students successfully navigate their career decision-making process. By offering personalized advice, facilitating networking opportunities, and fostering a supportive learning environment, faculty help students build confidence and make informed choices about their professional futures.

For further information on how Steinbright Career Development Center can help support you in supporting your students, please email scdc@drexel.edu.