With just over half of college graduates unable to secure a college-level job (typically requiring an undergraduate degree) within the first year after graduation, according to this report published by the Strada Foundation and the Burning Glass Institute, the need for students to leave college prepared to secure and keep good jobs has become more urgent than ever. Although some forces behind this statistic are not within individual control, college students have opportunities to develop as professionals during their undergraduate studies. Coaches can help students take advantage of such opportunities and envision the careers they want to pursue and their steps to achieve that.

How might coaches drive student development of professionalism? Here are some areas of possibility they can illuminate in the coaching context:

• How metacognition and the action of learning serve students in a workplace where constant change demands learning as a skill

• How strong self- and time-management in the context of coursework translate to a desirable employee who can succeed far beyond entry level 

• How building relationships with faculty and staff can grow a network that can lead to fruitful connections, letters of recommendation and mentorship 

Coaches, look for openings to bring these topics into your coaching sessions. Help students reflect on the value of professional skills and how they might translate into careers that can help shift the underemployment statistics and elevate their path and that of their families. Consider questions like these:

• Whether you like this course content or not, how can operating effectively in this course build habits that grow your professionalism? How can persisting help you once you graduate in the employee who has options for promotions, better work, more pay?

• Who among faculty or staff would you like to add to your network? How can you cultivate a fruitful relationship with them?

• How might you grow in your understanding of who you are and what you want post-college? 

• Learning is constant on the job – which course is teaching you how to learn in the most sustainable way? How will you apply that in your life out of college?

Grow your own professional network and skills with a LifeBound training.

3-Day Inclusive Coaching

May 3, 10, 17 (Fridays)

(additional dates below)

SPECIAL EVENT!

1-Day Introduction to Inclusive Coaching

June 17, 9am – 3pm MST

Join us for this in-person, pre-conference class at the GlobalMindED 10 Year Anniversary conference.