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Employment data regarding college graduates, analyzed by the Strada Education Foundation and Burning Glass Institute in this report, indicates that more than half of college graduates are underemployed a year after college. How might students' personal growth, or the lack thereof, be a factor in this sobering statistic? More obvious causes may include a mismatch of learned skills to what the workplace demands, or not enough students accessing internships and discipline-specific networks during college.
Personal growth, however, can play a powerful role in how prepared a graduate is to successfully transition into a job that is commensurate with their education. First of all, a student who knows themselves and continually reflects on their learning and changes will be more likely to select courses of study that align with their purpose and ability. Secondly, the student who knows that growth and change are a constant in life is more likely to manage change comfortably. For this reason, they more effectively adjust to rapid change in the workplace and any new learning or job changes that come along with it.
Coaches can drive student exploration of personal growth with questions like these:
- What did you learn from that experience studying for the exam? Taking the exam?
- When you look back at the beginning of the year (or college career), how would you describe your most significant changes?
- How have you grown the most so far in college?
- What is the most surprising thing you have learned about yourself?
- Think about how you want to be as an employee in the workforce: What change can you make now to become that person in the classroom?
Next week, we'll take a look at how coaching incentivizes practical action. Join us to learn these skills and more as we help build bridges to the professional world for students and soon-to-be graduates.
3-Day Inclusive Coaching
April 12, 19, 26 (Fridays)
(additional dates below)
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