Inside Higher Ed’s Post

Last year, I participated in a 4-part workshop series for faculty exploring careers outside of academia. It was extremely eye-opening. Putting ourselves in the role of an alt-ac or non-ac job-seeker revealed some of our basic misunderstandings about ... well... almost everything. One of my biggest takeaways? How hard it is for academics who have only ever held academic jobs to understand, let alone advise, students who are not interested in academic careers. In my own professional development programs for faculty, I have found that creating a learning experience that is valuable for the individual - for their own work and career development - often translates into improved pedagogy and student learning in their classrooms. My hot take for college administrators? Improve faculty-student career advising by providing more training for faculty career exploration/advancement in, but especially outside of, academia.

One of the most rewarding and impactful activities that faculty can undertake is to provide career guidance, when students ask for it. This cannot replace the professional services that dedicated career centers offer to students, but it can support and enrich those efforts. Students facing difficult career choices benefit from getting direct input from their professors as trusted sources who have relevant experiences and expertise. It can also broaden students' horizons as they explore careers that might be better aligned with their traits, skills, and goals in life. Sadly, though, faculty are not always keen to provide career advice. They respond to their own academic career progression incentives that rarely, if ever, reward time-consuming and hard to quantify interactions with students, such as ‘career chats’ outside the classroom. These interactions also have a very long horizon to manifest any recognizable impact, making it less rewarding in the short run. I was lucky enough to have transformative conversations with a few of my professors in the engineering and business schools that I attended. These ‘career chats’ invariably altered the course of my career and life in positive ways. I am thankful to those dedicated and inspiring professors who took the time to have a cup of coffee with me and who broadened my perspective on career options with invaluable advice. I try to pay it forward by taking the time to chat with my students when they seek that kind of career and life advice from me. I think more students should seek this kind of important and potentially impactful advice from the professors whom they might have personally connected with. And more professors should take the time to offer guidance to their students on one of the most important decisions in their lives.

As a dedicated professional in Career Services, I'm thrilled to see the latest findings from the National Association for Colleges and Employers underscore the invaluable role of faculty in guiding students toward successful career paths. This study reaffirms what we've long known: that faculty members serve as crucial allies in our collective mission to support students' career development. The statistics are telling: with 92% of faculty being approached for career advice by students within their discipline, it's clear that our educators play a pivotal role beyond the classroom. Moreover, the significant outreach from alumni seeking career assistance further emphasizes the enduring impact of faculty-student relationships. One key takeaway that resonates deeply with me is the importance of collaboration across campus sectors. While Career Services plays a vital role, true success in equipping students with the skills and confidence to thrive post-graduation requires a holistic approach. By partnering with faculty, we can ensure that career readiness is seamlessly integrated into the academic experience, empowering students at every stage of their journey.

How do educational institutions fulfill the most pressing need of their students - getting career advice - when regulations are cracking down on institutions that dispense this advice? Professors are continually asked for advice, but are they putting their institutions in jeopardy of being fined or closed down because of newer regulations directed at career schools? Today's Inside Higher Ed article discusses how professors are continually asked for advice. Although I know it is beyond the scope of this article, my question to you is, what happens when your instructors and professors give out career advice; are they putting your institution in jeopardy of being fined or closed down because of many of the newer regulations? #careereducation #careeradvice #highereducation #edup

As an employer, are educational requirements important to you? 🎓 A new Indeed study has revealed that job postings are less likely to have formal educational requirements than a few years ago. Employers are more likely than ever to hire based on skills. So bearing in mind the high cost of higher education, the earnings loss while studying and rising costs, what is the value of higher education? 🤔 In my most recent article for QS Quacquarelli Symonds , I asked academics and students around the world that very question, and they had some fascinating answers! ↘ https://lnkd.in/emtUJnCm #businessschool #highereducation #employability

The best panels on career advice are run by early career faculty. Super nice panel with pro tips. 1. Balance your portfolio between quantity and quality. 2. Pay attention to local rules. 3. Form new research relationships after graduation. 4. Teaching is an important criterion used when hiring. 5. Keep productive over time. And more. #academiclife #academiccareers

An analysis of college graduates' career trajectories finds that underemployment is more common than many might expect and also leads to a decreased college wage premium. Students should compare colleges and majors with this information in mind to get the best value out of a college education if ROI is important to them. #GreatCollegeAdvice #HigherEd #StudentOutcomes

Does your dissertation affect your employability?💼 Your dissertation isn't just a way to demonstrate everything you've learnt throughout university, but also a way to show employers the skills you have obtained🎓 How can you communicate this? You can use the STAR method (check out our career advice for more information)⭐ #employability #careers #graduate #dissertation #employers

Hey there, fellow University of Surrey students! Let me paint you a picture: I was casually scrolling through my LinkedIn messages, and suddenly, bam! A flood of questions pours in about interview strategies and resume tips. Now, I'll be the first to admit, I'm no expert, but I've definitely experienced those interview jitters and resume struggles firsthand. Enter Surrey Pathfinder (https://lnkd.in/ek8NFknZ) - my knight in shining armor! This gem of a resource swooped in just when I needed it most. So, if you're gearing up to dive headfirst into the job market, let me share a golden nugget of wisdom with you: Surrey Pathfinder is your ultimate secret weapon! I've personally taken advantage of multiple sessions, and let me tell you, the impact was monumental. Whether it's fine-tuning your resume or acing mock interviews with seasoned professionals, they've got your back every step of the way. Even if you're feeling pretty confident, Surrey Pathfinder has the power to take your game to the next level. So, if you're still proudly representing the Surrey student status, don't miss out on this golden opportunity. Just book a career appointment, and trust me, your future self will be giving you a high-five for it! #UniversityOfSurrey #CareerJourney #SurreyPathfinder