Coaching Helps Students Prepare to Sustain Employment

Explore Wisdom Work

For quite some time, "knowledge work," or work based on knowledge and information tasks, has been prominent in the modern workplace. Institutions work to prepare students for it, students choose majors based on it, employers look for skill in it. One of the potential risks in focusing exclusively on it, though, is adopting a view that knowledge is all that matters. With the rise of AI tools that can take over many tasks of knowledge work, employees who don't have other important characteristics may be less likely to gain or sustain employment.

Entrepreneur Chip Conley, in a Harvard Business Review article entitled "Why 'Wisdom Work' Is the New 'Knowledge Work,'" shares key insights as to why success in the workplace will increasingly demand wisdom — which he defines as "metabolized experience shared with others." Citing key workplace demographic statistics including a prediction that by 2031 employees over 55 will make up one quarter of the workforce, he convincingly illustrates the essential skills of connecting with employees from other generations, being open to wisdom shared through internal learning, and sharing "process knowledge" that often is gained only through the lens of experience.

In the performance-focused push to gain (or know how to find) knowledge, students can miss the importance of continual learning. In the drive for independence, students may discount connection with knowledgeable peers and mentors. Coaches can help ignite student awareness and focus on these key tools that will serve them in school and the workplace.

Consider questions like these:

When has connecting with an instructor, peer, or mentor helped you as a learner?
Who could help you extend your learning right now?
What have you learned from a class that went beyond the content? How do you use that wisdom in your life now?
Thinking about what you know from your experience as a college student, what would you share if you were mentoring an entering first-year?

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Hone your ability to spark a focus on wisdom with a LifeBound coach training this summer. You'll learn how to help students develop the career readiness, interpersonal skills, and mindset they’ll need to thrive in a shifting job market.

July 14, 16, 18 or August 11, 13, 15. Or our Self-Paced Coaching Course.

Want a free copy of our guide “Delivering College ROI: How Coaching Helps Students Avoid Underemployment”? It outlines why over half of college grads end up underemployed, how coaching bridges academic experiences with workplace readiness, and includes sample questions to help students build professional skills and mindsets. Just reply to this newsletter saying "Please send me the guide" - and we’ll get it right to you.

Make 2025 the Year Coaching Solves Higher Ed’s Toughest Challenges

Higher education is grappling with unprecedented challenges—rising mental health crises, the need for greater career readiness, and the unfortunate reality that many students struggle to secure meaningful employment or are let go shortly after starting. These issues affect not only individual students but also university outcomes like enrollment, retention, and long-term institutional success.

By equipping your staff with coaching training, you can help students build resilience, achieve meaningful employment, and address many challenges that universities face today. Allocate your budget toward LifeBound’s training options this year and plan ahead to ensure your institution is prepared to address these critical needs effectively. Let’s create a campus-wide culture of coaching and make an impact in 2025!

LifeBound offers multiple ways to train academic coaches, faculty, or staff:

3-Day Virtual Training

A dynamic, interactive course focused on practical coaching techniques.

Next Class: July 14, 16, 18

August 11, 13, 15

September 5, 12, 19

(view all 2025 dates online)

Time: 3 days, 6 hours each

Format: Online

Cost: $1,500 per person. Contact us about group rates.

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Self-Paced Coaching Course for Academic, Personal, and Professional Success

A flexible, 15-hour program designed for those who want to deepen their skills at their own pace. The course dives deep into foundational and advanced coaching techniques as well as motivation, resilience, career readiness, cultural competence and coaching diverse student populations, and includes private sessions with a LifeBound Coach. Institutional packages are available for group training.

Choose Your Own Dates!

Time: 15 hours (self-paced), plus 3 hours with LifeBound Coach

Format: Online

Cost: $1,500 per person. If you’ve already completed the 1-Day or 3-Day program, email contact@lifebound.com to receive a discount code for $500 off the new Self-Paced Course. Contact us about group rates.

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LifeBound Certification Program

For coaches ready to take their skills to the next level, the LifeBound Certification Program offers an in-depth dive into advanced coaching practices and strategies, culminating in certification as a LifeBound Coach.

Spring, Summer, and Fall Cohorts

Summer 2025 Cohort (in progress), Fall 2025 Cohort (Sep 30 - Jan 13)

Format: Online or in-person as available

Cost: $5,000 per person

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Let’s make 2025 a year of transformation for your institution and the students you serve!