In college, there are many things that students know they should do: eating healthier, sleeping more, attending lectures. This vague resolve is also reflected in the ways that students speak about their own career readiness, with many saying that they should create a resume, visit the career center, or apply to internships. It is clear that no one is unaware of the importance of preparing for the workforce following college, but the question of why undergraduates are so unprepared remains largely unaddressed by schools. The answer lies, in part, in several areas where universities could do more to support career readiness.
- Students lack real world experience
With college students already juggling academics and extracurriculars, the prospect of adding more to the mix seems daunting. Still, experience in a relevant field can be fundamental in showing employers that a candidate is able to take on the responsibilities of a role. Because the scramble to apply to jobs usually occurs close to graduation, students often do not have time to obtain the experience that employers prefer. To address this, career readiness should be introduced early in the college curriculum. Programs that set up students for success should be implemented as early as possible, to give students the expertise that employers are really looking for.
- Students lack soft skills
Of course, employers also search for qualities beyond technical skill. A study done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers says that employers “are seeking evidence of a student’s ability to solve problems and nearly 80% are seeking candidates who have strong teamwork skills.” Problem solving and creativity is especially relevant with the rise of AI, and should thus be emphasized early, alongside real world experience. The disconnect between what universities and employers seek in students leads to underpreparation for the workforce. As students build technical abilities in their academics, soft skills should also be built alongside them. Implementing problem-solving and teamwork into coursework helps students better prepare for not only their job search, but also their future careers..
- Students don’t know what kinds of careers are out there
On a more general level, many career options are unexplored by students. Aside from a few highly structured fields such as nursing or engineering, the connection between a degree and a career path is often unclear. Oftentimes, and especially for humanities degrees, students are led to believe that there are few options post-graduation for their selected major. A potential solution for universities, and specifically career services, is to reach out to employers with less known positions. Students should be made aware that there are a multitude of career options to explore, and the understanding of what positions entail makes for better-researched candidates when entering the workforce.
- Available career services are not sufficiently emphasized
Still, the usefulness of such programs are only relevant if students attend. Most universities offer career services that include resume reviews, mock interviews, career fairs, and networking events. However, many students either remain unaware of these resources or do not engage with them until they are actively searching for a job. Career centers are frequently viewed as optional rather than an integral part of the college experience. Universities should instead integrate career services into students’ lives by introducing these resources early on, incorporating soft skills into required courses, and encouraging students to really connect with career advisors throughout their time in college rather than only during their final semester.
- Students lack personalized coaching
Career advisors remain underutilized in the undergrad sphere. When the scramble to find jobs occurs for students, first generation students are typically not so lucky in their search. This is usually a result of a lack of professional connections that many other students have through family, showing that although career readiness is only vaguely in most students’ minds, the most disadvantaged groups tend to be students without a leg up into the industry. The need for programs that meet students where they are at is highlighted by this disparity. Combined with the approach of introducing career readiness early, a mentor can be fundamental in preparing students for work in a well-paced and meaningful way. Universities must give students opportunities to connect with advisors within their field, who can give somewhat specific guidelines on the next steps needed in a student’s career readiness journey.
With the way that many universities currently address career readiness, it is no surprise that students report anxiety about finding work following graduation. The issue is not that schools do not have the resources to prepare students, but instead that their priorities do not always connect with those of the workforce. Building a strong sense of readiness for students will prove instrumental in creating capable candidates who can succeed in their lives post graduation.