How can you help students understand graduate school and career pathways?

I think that you have to introduce students to graduate school as early as possible. Similar to the high school pathway program, if we are introducing students to 4+1 programs in their junior and senior year of high school during that pivotal college application period, and sharing the benefits of these types of programs, they will be more inclined to pursue a graduate degree. Additionally, I think it is important for college students to engage in experiential education early on so that they have the full scope of the education necessary to pursue a particular pathway.

Help students understand the difference between needing and wanting a graduate degree. In today's competitive job market, it's easy for students to make the assumption that a graduate degree = automatic increase in hiring power; but without experiential learning, an actual interest in the field, and strong networking, the graduate degree will only get you so far. Advisors and mentors should ask students: do you need this graduate degree, do you need it now? Do you want to do the deep work that comes with graduate level-learning? No one else in their life may be asking them these valuable questions.

In my experience, most students in Southeast Asia are unclear about what they hope to achieve after university. Given the vast difference in languages and culture across the region, we find that it’s important for counsellors to contextualise support for every student.

Infusing graduate school and career pathways as early as possible is the best way to guide interest and knowledge. This may involve providing students with age-appropriate information, resources, guidance, and support to make informed decisions about their academic and professional futures on familiar platforms. Social media is a powerful tool for promoting graduate school and career pathways to students. Early exposure is key!

For graduate school, students need to have their eyes wide open. Don't go to graduate school because you want to put off the real world. Students should speak to current graduate students to learn what the graduate students plan to do post graduation. Encourage students to speak with faculty about what makes a successful application. Research and ask LOTS of questions.

It is crucial that students understand requirements for graduate school (especially in fields related to Medical training). The last thing you want is for a student to get to graduation and not meet the requirements for their post-undergraduate plans. If you don't know the answer, don't provide bad information. Rather, try to connect them to other campus partners, professional organizations, or people in their intended field to be sure they have an understanding of requirements. It is also helpful, when possible, to assist students in understanding the difference in quality levels (i.e., a Master's from "xyz" school as opposed to other diploma mill style schools) and minimum requirements for application vs. competitive metrics.

In Southeast Asia, many parents and students still rely on traditional education agents to go about making their decision on which graduate programs to take. This is often due to language barriers and the deeper trust of locals in making such a huge decision. It is therefore crucial that education agents are transparent in dealing with their students especially in the region.

Provide workshops or presentations that explain different graduate programs (e.g., Masters, PhD.), application processes, funding options, and the benefits of grad school for various career paths. Connect students with professionals in their fields of interest, and provide them with opportunities to learn about different career paths and network with potential employers.

Unfortunately, in Southeast Asia, the challenge lies with the large students to counsellor ratio in the universities. More often than not, students are not given adequate support in planning their post-education pathways. Because of this, more students are joining student clubs or non-profits that helped with career guidance. This is an increasing trend seen in most SEA countries and presents an alternative method to seek career guidance.

Connect the Dots: Integrate real-world applications into coursework by showcasing projects or research relevant to graduate studies and specific careers. Help students see how their academic journey connects to their future goals.

Definitely! Networking has been one of the most effective tool to unlock barriers to access and also opportunities. However, networks may not be available for everyone especially in poorer 2nd tier cities in Southeast Asia. Therefore, it’s crucial that we design networking opportunities that consist of an online component to ensure access for students who need it most.

Having a good relationship network helps a lot for the success not only of completing the course but also of applying knowledge. At this time it is also important to have a mentor who has experience in the course area, especially with practical knowledge. When the student is able to complete their study path supported by a professional in the field, everything becomes easier and the knowledge starts to make sense, especially when it is necessary to delve deeper into some topics through debate. The gain from this activity model is enormous.

Networking and mentoring can be very formal through University sponsored programs. It might also be associated with LinkedIn networking (especially with University alumni). Industries also often have extensive resources posted online, sometimes with points of contact. We have student chapters of several professional organizations and this is a source of invaluable information and national/international connections to students. Guest speakers on campus, regional government conferences/meetings, internship opportunities, etc. are all aspects of networking and mentorship that should be considered. Providing students with some basic etiquette/netiquette tools/templates can be a great way to be sure they are representing your institution well.

I believe respecting their decision is the biggest part of this process. Our goal in Higher Education is to help students achieve their educational goals and move into the world to make a greater impact. If they choose another institution or degree program, support them in that! We shouldn’t feel territorial over the student (and in doing so, we push them away from pursuing graduate studies). Support their decisions and help them along the way.

Guide them through real-world practical experiences like internships and informational interviews. Equip them with essential skills such as resume writing and interview preparation. Offer guidance on navigating challenges and setbacks. Ultimately, empower students to take ownership of their journey and pursue paths aligned with their aspirations.

If they are first-generation students or just had an awful high school experience, letting them know that higher education is a possibility for them would be a help. Sometimes, it's beyond a person's imagination because they have no frame of reference.

From personal experience as a mentor, I've noticed students often overlook the day-to-day aspects of potential careers, focusing mainly on compensation and demand. They rarely consider if they'll be on call, interact with people, handle conflicts, or work weekends. To help them understand graduate school and career pathways more holistically, it's essential to highlight the realities of professional life beyond tasks, including teamwork and client relationships. Incorporating discussions with industry professionals, job shadowing, and facilitating workshops can provide insights into the everyday experiences and challenges in various fields. This approach helps consider both the professional and personal dimensions of their future roles.

From my experience, it is important for the student to understand the difference between undergraduate and graduate degrees. Many students seem to have the misconception that a graduate degree will result in a “better” job, without realizing that the experience of graduate school is often completely different than an undergraduate degree. For example, graduate programs often have smaller classes, major research components (including writing a major paper), and a lot of independent work. This is not an ideal fit for everyone and should be considered. In addition, some jobs may require experience or skills that aren’t necessarily learned in graduate school and students should be encouraged to take this into consideration.