One of the ongoing questions about higher education is centered around the value of a degree. I have heard many comments such as, “The purpose of college is to get a job,” and “The purpose of college is to learn how to learn. It isn’t my business whether they get a job or not,” and other statements fall somewhere between the above value judgment spectrum. As the Director of Career Development, one might assume that I lean toward the vocational purpose of higher education. However, that is not necessarily true. The question of the value of higher education is not limited by a binary answer (either, or).
The answer is a loud, “YES, AND…”
Career Readiness is a multi-faceted concept comprised of eight competencies as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE): Self and Career Development, Leadership, Professionalism, Communication, Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Equity & Inclusion, and Technology. Students use their courses and co-curricular experiences to understand what these competencies mean to them.
As a faculty or staff member on campus, is it your role to help a student obtain employment after graduation? It is always the responsibility of the student to use the experiences and resources provided on campus to develop their sense of professional identity and pursue employment. We do not want to take the agency away from the student… AND…We all need to work every day to make sure we provide examples of professional leadership, guide them toward their path, and make sure we are not the barrier to their professional development. We want students to experience the rigor of academics, the sublimity of the arts, the joy and fun of community…AND…understand how to apply these experiences to life off campus. For example, “Yes, and..” is an axiom in improv theater, yet it can be applied anywhere to help create strong teams and supportive cultures. (especially marriage!)
This is why I believe strongly in a Career Everywhere Mindset. What kinds of career conversations are you having with students? Do you want support with those conversations? If you want to be able to dig into career development topics further, please sign up for my Career Champions Workshops. In the workshops we work together to discuss the different needs of students and what types of career development activities could work for your specific units. Career development often doesn’t require more work, just reframing. Can you clearly articulate how your activities are informing your students’ professional development?