How do you know if career planning help for college students is needed or if you should wait and give them time to figure it out themselves? I’m going to give you some signs to watch for today so you know when to reach out for help for college students.

I know a young individual who graduated from college two years ago, was a good student and well-respected by his instructors and peers, very involved on campus, and had talent galore. He is now a Barista and struggling with what he is going to do with his life. Hear me loud and clear, Baristas are my favorite; they keep me and the rest of the world running with their magical caffeinated potions! The shame here is that this young man is working a job that he could have had just out of high school without the $100,000 of student loan debt he now has as a burden. I am confident this scenario could have been avoided. All this young man needed was a little help with career planning.

Five Signs Career Planning Help for College Students is Needed

The student is an undecided major or is taking general education courses and will declare a major later.

This one is very common. I know very few students, I actually can’t think of one as I’m writing this, that has had a career epiphany while sitting in a general education course. The idea of dabbling in some coursework seems logical. However, the truth is the general education core at most colleges is filled with math, English, science, art, history, etc. There is little to no career exploration going on in those classrooms. Once in a while, a student will engage in a College Success course where he/she will scratch the surface of career planning. The issue here is that there are probably 50+ students in that course and one instructor. It is likely the student will not get the challenging questions and one-on-one attention that such a serious life decision requires unless he/she is motivated and confident enough to seek out one-on-one help from the instructor during office hours. And, as a college student, I know I was not!

The student has not gained career-related experience.

Unfortunately, many students think that they are planning for their careers by going to college and earning that degree. This is not so. While academic planning and career planning are related, they are much different. Each student should have a set of academic goals and a separate set of career goals. In a competitive job market, employers aren’t going to be impressed with a college degree and no relevant work experience. Job shadows, internships, and part-time employment coupled with the degree make a candidate rise to the top. The student candidate with a 4.0 and no experience is rarely going to beat the 3.0 candidate who has experience working in the industry.

The student is not actively involved in networking opportunities.

When I teach a course, I always offer extra credit opportunities to students that revolve around networking. Yes, it is intimidating, but it is crucial. Some students, especially those with more introverted personality types, need extra help identifying good networking opportunities and coaching that will help them feel more comfortable and confident communicating in these situations. If a student is entering their second year of college and hasn’t explored opportunities to network, they are missing out on key opportunities! Whether they get involved on-campus, in community-based networking events, or in student chapters of professional industry organizations, students need to be making an effort when it comes to professional networking the moment they begin their post-secondary education.

The student has changed majors or has chosen a versatile degree.

Changing majors, especially more than once, is essentially a cry for help. I’ve seen many students who are unsure of what major/career they want to pursue, so they change several times and then end up settling for a degree that they think is versatile. The issue with a versatile degree is that other candidates have more specific and relevant knowledge. If a student expresses that they have chosen a major because of its versatility, challenge them to get connected with someone who can help them pinpoint a fulfilling and rewarding career path.

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The student is pursuing a degree that does not align with opportunities in the job market.

A crucial step in the career planning process is the financial reality and job outlook piece. Many students skip this step. Communications and fine art degrees are two examples of degrees that graduates in 2018 had difficulty finding related employment. Here are some questions to get students thinking about how well their degree will translate to a viable career:

• Does the degree I am seeking align specifically with the requirements listed in job descriptions currently on the market?
• What is the projected growth of the career field in the next ten years?
• How many expected job openings in the next five years?
• What’s the average wage for my state/geographic region?

For students who struggle to answer the above questions, consider directing them to the US Department of Labor’s website, ONET, for at-a-glance data and statistics.

The sooner the better but, no matter the age of the student or recent grad, it is never too late to seek career help. Don’t invest thousands of dollars in education without a thorough career plan!

How can my career planning help for college students benefit your child?

My name is Loren Kelly and I have 10 years of experience in high education coaching students through career and education decisions. My approachable and empathetic demeanor makes my career planning help for college students effective and powerful! I specialize in helping students get clear on a career path and plan the education, training, and experience they need to excel AND I love this work! Book a no-obligation, free consultation today! I enjoy chatting about careers with students!

Book a free consultation today!

5 Signs Career Planning Help for College Students is Needed!
Loren Kelly

There are students currently in college pursuing degrees in hopes of having a bright career, and then there are students who are taking action to make that bright career a reality. Meet Kevin; he is one of those students who is taking his career fate into his own hands and making things happen. Did I mention he is a freshman? Oh, and he already had his summer internship lined-up before Thanksgiving break.

5 Actions Kevin Took to Jump-Start His Career

1. Took career-relevant courses his first semester.
When he applied to college, Kevin declared Construction Management as his major. Instead of only focusing on general education courses, Kevin enrolled in two career-relevant courses “Construction Industry” and “Construction Graphics” his first semester. Apart from the great perspective, Kevin gained about his future career field, these courses also provided him with the opportunity to connect with the professors of the program and his peers during his first semester. These networking connections and the support system will prove valuable to him throughout his four years.

2. Revised his resume with a professional focus.
That resume from high school just won’t cut it once you are in college. Remove your high school information so you can use that precious space on your resume for information more relevant to your future career field. That is exactly what Kevin did. With his polished resume, printed on professional resume paper, he sought-out opportunities.

3. Attended a career-relevant networking event on campus.
Kevin’s college hosts a Construction Career Fair each semester for students to interact and network with companies across the region. When he saw the opportunity being advertised, he began planning for the event. He attended with his polished resume, just in case the opportunity to provide it presented itself, and a list of the companies with which he was most interested in speaking. Prior planning, such as having a target list of companies to speak with, prior to a career fair or networking opportunity will help you yield the best results!

4. Followed-up with professionals and companies that offered him additional opportunities to connect.
At the career fair, two companies that Kevin spoke to mentioned having summer internship programs for construction management students. He left with business cards in hand and invitations to visit the companies and learn more about the program. The determining factor in Kevin’s success came next, he followed-up with these companies. Follow-up is key! When professionals offer invitations to connect, meet, or visit their company, they are genuine; however, remember that they are busy! Make the extra effort to follow-up; it shows commitment and initiative.

5. Accepted an internship offer for Summer 2019.
When Kevin followed-up with these companies, both of them asked him to interview for their summer internship program. He gladly accepted and was offered an internship on the spot by one of the companies! Not only will he gain valuable perspective and experience this summer, but he will earn a great wage and receive a living allowance in addition.

Join me in congratulating Kevin on his success this semester! If you are a student looking to get started in career planning, consider taking a few of the actions listed above this semester. Parents of students, it is never too early to encourage your students to begin engaging in career planning and career development activities. The perspective gained from these experiences makes all the difference in preparing young people for the workforce!

How a College Freshman is Killing it with​ Career Planning
Loren Kelly