College Admissions Are Not the End Goal: How Your College Student Can Benefit from Career Exploration & Coaching
Rather than an end goal, acceptance to college is just the start, but many college students struggle to identify the next steps. They need to build on the powerful story they began in high school, but many aren’t sure where to start choosing classes, majors, internships, much less career objectives.
Our career coaches provide a level of personalized support and mentorship that cannot be obtained through career development offices, helping students develop a narrative for graduate school and/or the job market. Networking and portfolio building are replacing the traditional path of climbing the career “ladder,” so students need more than a degree and strong GPA, even if they are attending a top institution.
We work with students who are unsure about what career to pursue, who need professional guidance to achieve their established goals, and who started in one direction and want to make a shift.
Phase one: Explore
Identify strengths and interests through discussion and self-reflection
Articulate what you bring to the table (classes, activities, personal strengths)
Brainstorm areas of interest
Connect with and speak to people in potential careers
Phase two: Engage
Turn your various experiences into a cohesive professional narrative expressed by developing
a resume focused on your postgraduate goals
a LinkedIn profile targeted at your desired career
Identify internships, jobs, and activities to support this narrative
Use this narrative to build and develop a professional netwo
Phase three: Execute
For those applying to graduate school
Establish a plan for test prep
Compose application essays
Conduct mock interviews to strengthen your story
For those entering the job market and/or seeking internship roles
Identify and outreach to potential employers
Compose cover letters targeted to the specific position and company ethos
Advocate for yourself during the offer negotiation process
This targeted and structured support, culminating in an actionable plan, equips students with essential skills and empowers them to navigate the transition from campus to career with clarity and purpose.
