What would you make sure was in a Career Readiness course for university students?

Anonymous

April 18,2022 at 4:32PM UTC

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What would you make sure was in a Career Readiness course for university students?

I am working on updating our Career Readiness course that is taught through our Career Counseling and Services office. I am curious what some of you might want in the course. This is only a 5 week course that meets two times a week so there isn't a whole lot of time, but I am looking for input from those who haven't seen the course before.

If you were to take the course what would you want to know or what did you feel like you missed when you went through college?

If you are a hiring manager or recruiter what are somethings you think recent graduates need to have?

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AnonymousApril 18,2022 at 8:48PM UTC
Hello:
If it was early in High School / Late Junior High School I would probably want. (1) Take and interest test to narrow down interests - more likely to focus on a career. (2) Ways to get college credits via classes or tests (AP/Dante/Clep etc.). (3) Scholarship ideas - recommendations on information and help. (4) Military Academy - All branches have one and tuition is "free" if accepted (5) Type of workload expected - Generally 15+ hours per week above just going through classes (6) Tips on time management.
I looked online and this seemed to have a relevant outline https://www.corinthcsd.org/vendor/unisharp/laravel-ckeditor/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Corinth/All%20PDFs/college%20career%20ready.pdf
AnonymousApril 19,2022 at 1:17PM UTC
I do think that all High Schools need a course like this. I advocate for things like this all the time but I don't work in the K-12 level which makes it harder.
We do offer strengths, interests, and personality tests within our office that students can utilize to focus down majors and career path planning which is utilized by a good number of students on campus.
Arlene Frances Gottardo (Bryak)April 18,2022 at 8:52PM UTC
Planners, work balance suggestions
AnonymousApril 19,2022 at 1:17PM UTC
Planning and time management are great! Especially when it comes to wanting work life balance. Thank you!
April MinerApril 18,2022 at 9:50PM UTC
Career-pathing should start in college. Students need a sense of direction to progress towards a profession. They also need plenty of transferable skills. If I took a 5 week course on Career readiness, I would like to know what jobs are available to me based on the courses I took in school and starting salaries for those professions. In addition, how to navigate an interview and what a candidate should know when negotiating or accepting a salary. Most importantly, what they should ask for when applying for a role. It's important to know up front what the expectation is so there is no surprises when hired. Mock Zoom interviews would be a good choice for implementing all these choices and putting them in motion!
AnonymousApril 19,2022 at 1:14PM UTC
We do have a career planning course as well that is geared more towards freshman and sophomores though is open to everyone at the university level.
I do agree salary negotiation is a large one. We do get a lot of questions on it as well just mock interviews in general.
Currently we cover...Resumes & Cover Letters, Budgeting (also very needed), Job Search, LinkedIn & Networking, and Interviewing. I would like to include salary negotiation if possible but 5 weeks is not a lot of time.
KatApril 19,2022 at 3:11PM UTC
Career building should be part of your whole college experience, but sadly it isn't. What to do with your degree needs to be emphasized as much as the process of getting it. Understanding how your skills, interests and degree go together to help you find a job and career path is important. Not all degrees come with a clear path like law or health care. Focusing on transferrable skills and how to write a resume and cover letter for the job you want. I never learned any of this and would have found it helpful when I was starting out.
AnonymousApril 19,2022 at 4:50PM UTC
Trust me if we could get more faculty by in to using career building, career competencies, and encouraging their students to partake in career events we would be more than thrilled. Half of them probably already do some of it they just don't call it as such including transferable skills.
I honestly love teaching cover letter and resume writing and I don't think as many people get excited about it. I can say the same thing though about not knowing how to write one when I first graduated. I didn't truly learn until graduate school and my internships.
Thank you for your input.
Kimberly HApril 20,2022 at 10:20AM UTC
That career paths do not have to be linear. Allow students to think outside the box and understand that every “job” builds upon experience and skill set for their future career. They also need to understand that they will need to do “jobs” fresh out of college/trade school - and to work their way up the ladder. When I was a preceptor, the students had no concept that I worked my way up the ladder. They all thought they would be directors/managers/divisionals right out of school.
AnonymousApril 20,2022 at 1:37PM UTC
You make a great point about working their way up the ladder. I do talk to students about that when I have one-on-one appointments but I wonder if I could incorporate that into the course somehow.
We have a separate career path planning course geared towards freshman/sophomores (though open to all) and this course is for Juniors and Seniors. Most of the course is focusing on transitioning to internships and then into the workforce so I think trying to incorporate working your way up the ladder is a great idea. Thank you!