Top universities are revamping their career services to provide students with tangible returns on their investment in education.
Brown University has recently revamped and renamed its career center, doubling the number of advisers from 13 to 28. This move reflects a growing trend among universities to prioritize career services as students increasingly demand a tangible return on their investment in education. A survey by workforce analytics firm Lightcast found that “career success” is now the top reason people give for pursuing a degree. In response to this demand, universities are expanding their career services staff and budgets, promoting career directors to leadership positions, and offering career advising from the moment students enroll.
Changing Perceptions of Career Services
For years, career services have been seen as less important compared to academic pursuits. However, universities are now recognizing the need to invest in career services due to changing student expectations. Students want assurance that their degrees will lead to successful careers, and universities that fail to provide this risk losing prospective students. The College of William & Mary’s commitment to helping students thrive in their careers was seen as a significant shift in the importance of career education at research universities.
Expanding Career Services Staff and Budgets
To meet the growing demand for career services, universities are increasing their spending on career services. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reports that institutions are investing more in career services. Additionally, universities are expanding their career advising programs by dispersing advisers across campuses to cater to students’ specific career interests and majors. Ohio Wesleyan University, for example, has assigned “career catalysts” to various career communities, ensuring that career coaches are easily accessible to students.
Helping Students Understand Job Skills and Competencies
Universities are also working to help students understand the job skills and competencies they acquire through their education. Career offices are collaborating with faculty to identify and articulate the skills students develop in their classes. Humanities courses, for example, teach critical thinking and public speaking skills. By helping students translate their classroom learning into competencies that employers understand, universities are better equipping students for the job market.
Increasing Alumni Satisfaction and Donations
Satisfied alumni are more likely to financially support their alma maters. A report by Hanover Research found that alumni who felt their colleges invested in career services were twice as likely to believe their degrees were worth the cost. Universities are recognizing this and are elevating career services to top leadership positions in order to improve alumni satisfaction and increase donations. Public funding in some states and systems is also tied to students’ career success, further incentivizing universities to prioritize career services.
Early Career Advising and Integration
Universities are starting career advising early in students’ academic journeys. Some universities, like William & Mary, reach out to first-year students as soon as they put down their deposits. By integrating career services into students’ academic experiences from the beginning, universities are ensuring that students have access to resources and guidance throughout their education.
Conclusion: As students increasingly demand a tangible return on their investment in education, universities are prioritizing career services. By expanding their career services staff, increasing budgets, and integrating career advising into students’ academic experiences, universities are meeting the needs of their students and preparing them for successful careers. This shift in focus not only benefits students but also increases alumni satisfaction and donations, ensuring the long-term success of universities.
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