Faculty who ask Powerful Career Questions Change the Game.
Transitioning from career advising to coaching will increase enrollment, equity, & retention. Let’s just start with the facts, faculty who chose to “coach” students transform lives and change the game. Why might faculty consider this approach and how is the coaching process different from advising?
Read on and stay with me… Having worked with incredibly talented faculty, I remain impressed with their ability to navigate a seemingly endless array of responsibilities beyond teaching and research. Although time consuming, many have shared that one of the most rewarding “add-ons” is advising their students. Faculty find themselves advising students regarding course selection, graduation requirements, and careers.
Why should faculty care about career coaching?
Faculty can’t escape it as students will continue to ask for career advice! Nationally, students seek professional career advice from faculty and staff, more than any other contact [46%]. Students who talk with faculty or staff reported greater confidence about their skills and knowledge as they enter the workforce. (Gallup/Strata 2017)
The faculty:student career conversations can be transformational for the student(s). The faculty member, with a touch of coaching expertise, can positively impact student retention, academic accomplishments, alumni affinity, and the students’ career mobility for years to come.
On another note, when students share their ambivalence towards coursework or a degree, often their courses are not aligned with their strengths and interests. If interested in supporting students as they seek to improve their academic performance and/or keep classroom seats full, provide coaching.The good news is that almost any student with effective coaching usually discovers their interests are aligned within the range of departmental or course offerings on campus. No transfer required!
How is Coaching different from Academic Advising?
Successful career coaching conversations are grounded in unconditional positive regard and listening beyond the story to partner with students to discover their strengths and genius. Coaching recognizes that students are the experts in their own lives.
This perspective, the student being the expert, is a flipped experience for the traditional faculty:student exchange. Students are in the habit of seeking answers from faculty as they do in class. As it relates to career answers, I encourage faculty not to provide them. For example, when asked, “What should I do for a living?” Respond by asking, “What fields and/or roles are most interesting to you?” “What classes do you enjoy and why?” These questions are designed to encourage student reflection providing the [all so valuable and often elusive] insight to move students forward.
The world of work changes rapidly so together focus on the next 2-5 years as opposed to a lifelong career. Once a student is able to articulate his/her/their strengths and interests, connect each with alumni/employers to further discover opportunities. It is our goal that graduates become immersed within worthwhile work, as defined by each. Students are visibly relieved to hear that most students change their major at least once during their undergraduate program and many successfully work within a field that is not directly connected to their degree.
While the traditional model of career services can effectively reach many students, achieving equitable outcomes comes from the scalability of partnering with faculty.
How might faculty learn more about available career planning resources?
Reach out and let’s discuss! Faculty are also encouraged to connect with their career centers on campus to better understand an array of resources offered within the 4 stages of the career planning process: Self Exploration, Exploring Experiences, Job Search Prep, and Career Management. *When introducing resources, please include a disclaimer that resource results are not definitive but are rather conversation starters.
To read more about Cannon’s group workshop “Coaching: It’s Value and Strategies”, see https://www.cannoncareercoaching.com/group-workshops
Blue skies ahead and keep up the good work…
Mary Cannon, Cannon Career Coaching
mailto:mary@cannoncareercoaching.com