How can you advise students on academic and career transitions?

It's important that you share with them how THEY can assess their interests and skills. Teaching them to define their values, develop an inspiring vision for their future, and assess their strengths/skills/interests. This constellation will help them explore and understand for themselves what fields or pathways might be a fit AND how they might pursue those pathways.

At the outset to advise a student on academic and career transition its very important to know the student personally and professionally. 1. Build a positive relationship 2. Assess their strengths and weakness 3. identify their trait 4. set goals through proper career test 5.listen their needs and aspirations 6. provide guidance to achieve their goals 7.explore academic opportunities and skill development 8. Offer periodic assessment and address gap 9. Review their plans and adjust if required. 10. offer career options 11. train on resume building and mock interviews 12. meet their concern and challenges 13. promote networking and professional development 14. continuously monitor their performance 15. Offer them emotional support

Assessing students' interests and skills is important to help them make informed academic and career decisions. To assess them, it is possible to use several ways to assess their interests and skills: - Self-esteem - Career Directories - Portfolio - Reflection Exercises - Exploratory Activities By assessing their interests and skills, students can gain clarity about their academic and career choices. This understanding can help them choose the right courses, internships, or other experiences that suit their strengths and interests. Ultimately, helping students evaluate their interests and skills will enable them to make informed decisions about their future academic and career paths.

To help students assess their interests & skills for making career decisions/transitions, Follow 5-point action plan: Self-Assessment Reflect on interests,strengths,values & goals. Use assessment tools to gain insights Research & Explore Research various career options,industries & job roles.Attend career fairs,informational interviews or shadow professionals in fields of interest Set SMART Goals Ensure goals are Specific,Measurable,Achievable, Relevant & Time-bound Skill Development For chosen careers, find recommended courses, certifications, and practical experience such as internships to acquire & enhance skills Networking Connect with mentors, professors, and industry professionals to gain guidance and support

These are great suggestions, however, I have found that it takes time to get to know the student, and what motivates them. Reducing it to an inventory of their likes seems a bit to simplistic. The problem is that most advisers do not have sufficient time to really help a student explore alternatives. Universities need to be better at this.

Here's a brief step-by-step process for advising students on academic and career transition: 1. Self-assessment: Identify interests and strengths. 2. Research: Explore academic and career options. 3. Set goals: Define clear objectives. 4. Seek guidance: Talk to advisors, mentors, and professors. 5. Skill development: Acquire relevant skills and knowledge. 6. Networking: Build professional connections. 7. Gain experience: Internships, projects, or research. 8. Update documents: Resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn. 9. Apply strategically: Target positions and programs. 10. Adapt and persevere: Be flexible in the journey.

One of the ways that the Zapara School of Business tries to help students explore the job market is to emphasize the importance of building one's network. Not only do we feature strategies for doing so in our programming, we also host events for students to meet community members and alumni in order to have them gain experience talking with people who are not their peers. A specific strategy we have implemented is to have them participate here on LinkedIn by creating profiles and connecting with all of the speakers, staff, and faculty we have on campus. Having one foot in the real world gives the student invaluable connections that are hard to come by if they only stay on campus.

This sounds obvious but I ask students what kind of work they want to do & how much income they want to make, & future opportunities. It's starting at the end of a story & working backwards. I stress this because many students are caught up in the "here & now" getting lost in the weeds. You have to weigh the Pros & Cons with debt, experience(too young vs too old, not enough qualifications vs over qualified), & career trajectory. I recommend using University resources & professional advice from faculty that work in that field to line up the student's expectations with reality. It's one thing to look at charts, it's another to see what things are on the ground. It's important to see if their personalities fit into roles they want.

Skill development is an ongoing process. Stay updated with industry trends & emerging technologies by participating in webinars, workshops, & seminars. Explore educational options such as degree programs, online courses, workshops, and certifications that can help you acquire these skills. Consider reputable institutions & platforms for your learning journey. Networking is another key aspect. Start by identifying individuals in your existing network who may be able to help. Regularly attend industry-related events, conferences, seminars, & workshops.Utilize professional social networks like LinkedIn to connect with industry professionals. Remember building a strong network & finding right mentor often takes time & persistence.

Time management and overall organization hinges on how well a person knows him/herself and what works for his/her individual needs. Some professionals need to keep very tightly-organized schedules (including scheduled meals and breaks to avoid burnout) whereas others have personalities that are easily adaptable to flexible schedules. There are so many options for proper personal and professional time management now, thanks to modern technology and sociological resources for self-management and reflection.

I recommend a balanced approach to students so they can absorb & apply what they learned. Going too fast & GPAs suffer(especially above 4.0) while going too long is missing out on career opportunities. In Advising it's important to allow flexibility in their overall schedule but not to let them drag it out. To stay on track I strongly recommend seeing your Advisor at the end & at the start of each semester so that monkeys & wrenches can be eliminated. From my experience in Advising Undergraduate & Graduate students, real life tends to be more of an issue than not being academically competent for graduation. So going longer than 4.5 years comes with major drawbacks for the individual student. You don't want them to melt down either.

Successful time management and organization hinge on self-awareness, tailored to individual needs. Some professionals thrive with structured schedules, while others adapt well to flexibility. Modern technology and self-management resources offer diverse options for effective time management.

Sometimes it is difficult for students when they realize that the area they've been studying doesn't bring satisfaction. Once they realize that a change is needed, it's important to look through majors that will still help them graduate on time, but still will be amongst their interests and capabilities—then figuring out WHEN or under what circumstance to make the change.

"FAILING to PLAN, is PLANNING to FAIL" Start by using a planner, calendar app, or task management software to keep track of important dates. Divide your major goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Assign deadlines to each task or goal. If circumstances change or you encounter unexpected challenges, be flexible and adjust your deadlines and goals accordingly. Keep all related documents, materials, and information in an organized manner. Know the application deadlines for universities, scholarships, internships, or jobs. Consult your academic advisor regularly. Incorporating these practices into daily routine will help stay on top of important dates & deadlines, reducing stress & ensuring that academic and career goals are met timely.

You don't have to do everything today! Or this semester! Or even this year! Allow yourself time to rest, and really engage with the concepts and content you're learning. For some careers, having a deep and passionate understanding of a topic cannot come from taking 30 credits and doing 10 extra curricular activities. Dive into a manageable course load and don't be afraid to do something just for fun or to take a breath away from class.

My experience is basically being a cheerleader for the student. I encourage them to be active in a course rather than passive, especially if it is tied into real world concepts. I tell them University resources that might help them and to balance out academic knowledge with real world knowledge. For career transitions it is usually important to align the degree with the job. I work closer with students on this for Graduate degrees more than Bachelor's degrees. Of course the recommendations change depending on if the student is pursuing an Academic career vs a Non Academic career. I emphasize doing well with their programs as well as adjacent subjects and skills that will help them in their careers.

This is a tricky one because the educational system at different levels from elementary onward are still not equitable across all communities. (This requires much more substantial investigation than what can be covered in one LinkedIn discussion post.)

As a Lecturer and an academic professional I have witnessed that (more than) sometimes a trainer/lecturer is able to instigate a streak of interest in their students. This requires customised teaching techniques that invoke the hidden talents of students. One of my student having a knack for IT managed to secure a high profile job in their area of study, Business and Management when they learnt about interesting application of theories to the real-life scenarios. I, therefore, believe that being exposed to an interesting aspect of an area of study student can develop their interest in an area and might end up making it their career path.

Absolutely! ???????????? Resilience is a top skill for students and young professionals to learn — the sooner the better. The most successful professionals are the ones who know how to adapt to change, work past challenges and absorb positive lessons even from negative experiences. KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

My approach is that I am not there to judge, but to help them move forward. I acknowledge how they feel when they come in. Most issues that impact students come from outside the University more than it does inside. It's having honest conversations about where they are, what they expect, & what they want. It is helping them to overcome challenges & setbacks. It is looking for solutions within the system as well as outside of it. Many times it is realigning expectations to see if they are realistic. Half the time Advising is doing the work yourself, the other half is pointing them in the right direction for resources. The only thing I cannot do is help someone who isn't motivated. If they are motivated then there is usually a way forward.

Yes, and also, be willing to celebrate yourself. Don’t wait for praise because that may not come from a supervisor who is “too busy” (or oblivious) to recognize your achievements and contributions. Remember to BE PART OF the positive in your team and department by celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of others as well!!! #BeTheChangeYouWishToSeeInTheWorld

I have said this in other posts, but it is critical that advisers have enough time. A 15 minute advisement slot barely gives you enough time to select classes. If you need to have a discussion about “what do you really want to do with your life,” advisors need more time. The question is, in an economy where Education is being less valued by state governments. where do the resources come from?

One thing I’ve found helpful is changing a students focus from being money-driven to impact-driven. Most of our students are too money-driven and very few are driven by impact. So one thing I do is ensuring all students under my Advisement programme learns at an early stage to focus on impact (what can I add to humanity and the younger generation coming after me) while pursuing their Career. I let them know that they have to engage in something that brings them joy and also adds to humanity while at it. I make them answer the question of “How can I leave my footprints in the sands of time?”, amongst my colleagues and the junior students? What will I be remembered for? I’ve seen this work, and eventually, the money always come.

Given the increasing number of students who go to university within 100 miles of their home, it's important to help them weigh their future options with any potential desire to stay close to family in mind. It's also important to value those concerns in your students, who may feel embarrassed to talk about it when graduate school or professional opportunities across the country or world are on the table for discussion. Everyone, regardless of their perceived need to stay geographically local, have a set of tough choices about location to make after graduation, and we are not a meaningful part of that conversation, we limit, perhaps without knowing it, the utility of the advice that we share.

For some students, a career decision is made by the parents, because they are paying for it. And it may not exactly co-relate to the desires and abilities of the students. Sometimes, you will have to encourage the student to have a discussion with their parents about this. Sometimes, the student will totally reject the parent's idea, other times the student will compromise and meet their parents in the middle. But, if the student does not succeed nor feel accomplished in that field, they will need to find a major that will satisfy their career goals.

Leverage Resources which means students utilize their educational institution’s offerings. This includes career counseling, workshops, job fairs, alumni networks, and online job portals. These resources provide guidance, skill development, networking opportunities, and access to job listings, aiding in informed decision-making and career progression. Engaging with these services can significantly enhance a student’s academic and professional journey.