The Career Sip: Your Weekly Dose of Higher Ed Hustle!

Welcome back to your go-to spot for the buzz in higher education career development, where the coffee is always strong and the news always fresh.?

Dive into this week's Career Sip for the latest in higher ed strategies, career development tips, and a surprising fun fact that'll leave you craving more!?

Don't miss out—read till the end!

Latest News in Higher Ed

Measuring Campus Diversity Is Becoming Increasingly Challenging: Students Keep Their Race and Ethnicity Hidden on College Applications

Fear of discrimination, data manipulation or lack of representation are some of the reasons behind the nonresponse rates.

The Supreme Court’s 2023 decision banning race-based admissions was predicted to significantly impact campus diversity. Yet as institutions report the demographics of their 2028 incoming class, a clearer picture is proving elusive. A growing trend of students choosing not to disclose their race or ethnicity, coupled with strategic data reporting by universities, has made measuring diversity more challenging than ever. Here’s why:

Students Avoid Disclosure for Various Reasons

One reason behind the rise in "race unknown" students is the fear of discrimination. At highly selective institutions, where competition is fierce, many students worry that disclosing their race could negatively impact their chances of admission. This is particularly evident in fields like law, where the percentage of students declining to disclose their race at elite schools is twice as high as at less selective institutions.

Another factor is dissatisfaction with the categories provided. Many multiracial students feel the options don’t fully reflect their identities, leading them to avoid selection altogether. Even with the introduction of the “select one or more” option in 2010, many students still perceive the categories as inadequate or irrelevant. For others, race and ethnicity simply don’t play a significant role in their sense of self, which often leads them to bypass these questions. For instance, 67% of the students who choose "race and ethnicity unknown" are white. Of these students, 33% say race and ethnicity are not a relevant part of their identity, a researcher found in 2008.

Institutional Practices Further Muddy the Waters

Universities themselves contribute to the complexity. Some institutions manipulate their data to appear more diverse than they are. For example, Harvard doesn’t report its percentage of white students, while other schools double-count multiracial students or add international students as a separate demographic category to inflate their diversity statistics. These practices distort public perception and obscure the real impact of the Supreme Court’s decision.

A Cloudy Picture for the Future

As more students opt out of reporting their race and institutions use varied strategies for presenting demographics, the challenge of understanding the true impact of race-neutral admissions grows. The next comprehensive federal data release in 2025 may offer some clarity, but forthcoming changes to racial and ethnic reporting guidelines in 2027—such as the introduction of a Middle Eastern and North African category—promise to complicate matters further.

For now, the full effect of banning race-conscious admissions remains unclear. What’s evident, however, is the need for greater transparency, consistency, and thoughtful engagement with how diversity is measured and communicated in higher education. Addressing this challenge is not just about numbers—it’s about fostering trust, inclusivity, and equity in academic spaces.

What are we reading this week?

Book Recommendations

This week, we’re diving into "The Infinite Game" by Simon Sinek—a transformative read for career services professionals and students alike. Unlike traditional career advice that often focuses on winning or achieving fixed goals, Sinek challenges us to embrace an infinite mindset where the focus is on adaptability, purpose, and long-term vision.

Why It’s Valuable for Career Advisors:

1. Shifting Perspectives: The book reframes how we approach career success. It’s not about reaching a single destination (like landing a dream job) but about continuously growing, learning, and contributing to a broader purpose.
2. Resilience in Uncertainty: In today’s evolving job market, students and alumni face constant change. Sinek’s insights encourage a mindset that thrives in uncertainty, emphasizing adaptability and persistence over quick wins.
3. Leadership and Influence: Sinek dives deep into the qualities of leaders who play the “infinite game,” offering valuable takeaways for coaching students on becoming leaders in their fields.

How to Apply It in Career Services:

• Encourage students to think beyond their first job or immediate goals. Help them identify their “why” and align their career paths with a larger vision.
• Use principles from the book to guide conversations about long-term career planning and the importance of resilience and adaptability.
• Host workshops or discussion groups exploring the concepts of finite vs. infinite thinking and their relevance to career development.

Whether you’re coaching students through setbacks or inspiring them to embrace the unknown, The Infinite Game offers a powerful framework for fostering a mindset of growth and purpose. It’s a game-changer for career services professionals and a must-add to your reading list!

What you can't miss

Promoting Equity & Inclusion in Career Services

Are you ready to transform your career services approach and make a real difference for students from all backgrounds? Join us for an unmissable webinar on Promoting Equity & Inclusion in Career Services—a session designed to empower career professionals with actionable strategies to champion DEI initiatives.

??? When: January 21st, 12-1 PM PST ??? Speakers: Albert Segura, Career Educator & Speaker at CareerOS, and Angela Richard, Assistant Director of Career Education at Boston University, LinkedIn Top Voice, and first-gen advocate

This session will focus on building mentorship programs, fostering inclusive environments, and equipping you with tools to ensure your career services embrace equity and inclusion at every level. Angela’s proven strategies and Albert’s expertise promise to leave you inspired and ready to act.

Key Takeaways:

• How to integrate DEI into your career services framework
• Practical strategies to support students of all identities
• Insights from a DEI leader reshaping career services

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take your career services to the next level. Secure your spot today and join the movement toward more equitable and inclusive student success! Sign up now!

Tech

AI is Reshaping Online Program Recruitment and Marketing

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming how universities market and recruit for online programs, and a new RNL report sheds light on how institutions are embracing this change. In a recent interview with Inside Higher Ed, Rebecca Jenkins, RNL’s Director of Product Marketing, highlights key insights, including AI's growing acceptance across leadership. Nearly 90% of marketing and recruitment leaders are open to implementing AI solutions, signaling that AI is here to stay—not as a job replacement, but as a powerful tool for enhancing efficiency and personalization.

AI tools like chatbots are already revolutionizing student outreach. 70% of students reported using AI-driven chatbots during their college search, and over 80% were satisfied with the experience. For career services professionals, this is a wake-up call: students now expect instant, personalized responses about admissions, financial aid, and program details. Institutions that invest in advanced, integrated AI tools will stand out and better meet student expectations.

From automating routine tasks to driving data-driven decision-making, AI enables staff to focus on strategic initiatives that enhance the student journey. As Jenkins puts it, AI’s potential lies in creating more personalized, efficient, and effective interactions, from the first inquiry to enrollment.?

For a deeper dive into how AI is reshaping higher ed recruitment—and the opportunities it presents for career services—check out the full interview here.

Fun

Meme of the Week

Latest in Career Development

What Career Services Need to Know About ATS and AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) and applicant tracking systems (ATS) are revolutionizing recruitment processes, reshaping how students apply for jobs and how employers evaluate talent. Career services teams play a crucial role in equipping students to navigate this AI-driven landscape effectively. Here's what you need to know:

1. How ATS and AI Work Behind the Scenes Modern ATS platforms like PageUp leverage AI to streamline application reviews by parsing resumes, standardizing formats, and ranking candidates based on relevance. These tools prioritize efficiency, ensuring search committees focus on top candidates. For students, this means clear, tailored resumes that align with job descriptions are essential. Encourage them to avoid outdated tactics like keyword stuffing or white-text hacks—today’s ATSs are too advanced for these to be effective.
2. The Shift Toward Humanizing AI Tools AI is used not to replace human evaluation but to support it, allowing recruiters to spend more time on meaningful interactions. For career services, this highlights the importance of preparing students for the human aspects of the process. AI tools are even assisting in interviews, generating real-time prompts based on candidates’ responses. Help students develop authentic communication skills and confidence to excel in these increasingly AI-enhanced conversations.
3. AI for Student Job Search Success AI isn’t just an employer tool—students can use it to their advantage. Platforms like ChatGPT can assist with resume refinement, interview preparation, and exploring career pathways. Career services teams can guide students on using AI ethically, focusing on quality applications over automated submissions. Additionally, AI-driven career exploration tools can help students perform skills gap analyses and identify growth opportunities in emerging fields.

As AI continues to revolutionize recruitment, career services teams have the opportunity to bridge the gap between technology and human connection. By understanding these tools and teaching students how to leverage them, you can help ensure they navigate the job market with confidence and adaptability.

Opportunities

Job Opening in Higher Education

Explore these exciting opportunities to make an impact in higher education and empower students on their career journeys:

• Careers Advisor Organization: University of Manchester Location: Manchester, England. Support students and recent graduates as a Careers Advisor at the University of Manchester. Deliver tailored career guidance, organize workshops, and collaborate with academic departments to enhance student employability and career outcomes. ?? Apply here
• Careers and Employability Advisor Organization: Federation University Australia Location: Victoria, Australia. Join Federation University Australia’s Careers and Employability team to assist students in developing their career pathways. Provide one-on-one advising, facilitate engaging workshops, and connect students with opportunities that align with their goals. ?? Apply here
• Associate Director of Enrollment Organization: Hult International Business School Location: Milan, Italy. Lead recruitment efforts as the Associate Director of Enrollment at Hult International Business School. In this role, you’ll drive enrollment strategies, build relationships with prospective students, and shape the admissions process for one of the world’s leading global business schools. ?? Apply here

Whether you're passionate about student employability, enrollment strategies, or shaping global education, these roles offer incredible opportunities to advance your career in higher education. Apply now or share with someone ready to make an impact!

Learn something new

The Fun Fact of the Week

Did you know that a surprising number of Fortune 500 CEOs got their start in customer service or sales roles? According to research, 60% of today’s top executives began their careers in front-line jobs—flipping burgers, working retail, or answering customer calls.

Why does this matter for career services professionals? These roles, often overlooked by students as "just a job," are actually incredible training grounds for building essential skills like communication, problem-solving, and resilience. Career advisors can highlight how these early experiences shape leadership capabilities and show students that even humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary careers.

Use this insight to encourage students to embrace all opportunities and focus on the transferable skills they can gain, regardless of the industry or role. After all, today's cashier could be tomorrow's CEO!

That's a wrap for this week's The Career Sip. Keep brewing your career development strategies, and we'll be back next week with another steaming cup of higher ed updates.?

Stay caffeinated, my friends!