Top universities, including Brown University, are revamping their career services to provide students with better job prospects and a tangible return on investment for their degrees.
Friday mornings on university campuses are typically quiet, with students planning their schedules to avoid classes and get a head start on their weekends. However, at Brown University’s Center for Career Exploration, there is a steady stream of visitors. The university has recently revamped and renamed its career center, doubling the number of advisers from 13 to 28. This trend of universities prioritizing career services is a response to growing demand from students and parents for a tangible return on investment for their degrees.
Shifting Priorities in Higher Education
Career success has become the top reason people pursue a degree, according to a survey by workforce analytics firm Lightcast. In response to this demand, universities are increasing their career services staff and budgets. Institutions are promoting career directors to top leadership positions and providing career advising to students from their first year onwards. The College of William & Mary, for example, has made “career preparation” one of its core strategic priorities.
Transforming Career Services
Universities are not only increasing spending on career services but also transforming the way they provide career advice. Rather than keeping advisers in one place, many universities are dispersing them across campuses to counsel students with specific career interests. For example, Ohio Wesleyan University has assigned “career catalysts” to “career communities” based on students’ fields of interest. This ensures that career coaches are easily accessible to students and can provide personalized guidance.
Helping Students Understand Job Skills
Career offices are also working to help students understand the job skills they are acquiring through their courses. By involving faculty in this process, universities are bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world competencies. This approach helps students articulate the skills they are developing and makes it easier for employers to understand their qualifications. Universities such as Dickinson College and the University of Richmond are actively involved in helping students decipher the job skills they acquire through their studies.
The Importance of Alumni Satisfaction
Satisfied alumni are more likely to financially support their alma maters. A report by Hanover Research found that people who believe their education led to their careers are nearly twice as likely to financially support their institutions. Universities recognize that strong career services programs that help graduates find meaningful jobs lead to happy, high-performing alumni. This connection between career services and alumni satisfaction has prompted universities to prioritize career advising.
Public Funding and Career Success
In some states and systems, public funding for universities is now tied to students’ career success. The Texas State Technical College system, for example, bases its budget on how much graduates earn above the minimum wage. This shift in funding priorities further emphasizes the importance of career services in higher education.
Conclusion:
As students and parents increasingly demand a return on investment for their degrees, universities are prioritizing career services to provide better job prospects for graduates. By increasing staff, transforming career advising, and involving faculty in the process, universities are bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world skills. Satisfied alumni, who feel that their education led to their careers, are more likely to financially support their institutions. This renewed focus on career services is not only beneficial for students but also for universities, as it leads to happier and more supportive alumni.
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