5 ways to build students’ career readiness into what you already do
Helping students prepare for their careers can happen through the assignments, activities and responsibilities already part of your workload. Many of the things you already do as an instructor, supervisor or mentor help students develop career-readiness skills they’ll use in internships, jobs and other experiences after graduation.Ìý
The key is helping students recognize the skills they’re building and understand how those skills apply beyond the classroom or campus. Here are five simple ways to make career readiness part of the work you’re already doing.Ìý
1. Give students opportunities to presentÌý
Presentations don’t have to be formal to build valuable career skills. Asking students to explain a project, share findings with classmates or give a brief update during a meeting helps them practice communicating clearly, critical thinking, organizing information and responding to questions.Ìý
These experiences can also give students concrete examples to draw from when they’re asked about communication or presentation skills in an interview.Ìý
2. Encourage teamworkÌý
Group projects, committees and collaborative tasks give students experience working with people who may have different ideas, backgrounds and approaches.Ìý
You can help students get more from these experiences by encouraging them to think about how they divided responsibilities, navigated challenges, contributed to a shared goal or supported other team members. Those are all examples they can use to demonstrate teamwork to future employers.Ìý
3. Ask students to reflect on what they learnedÌý
A little reflection can help students turn an experience into language they can use on a resume, in a personal statement, in an interview or while networking.Ìý
After a project, assignment or work experience, consider asking a few simple questions:ÌýÌý
- What did you learn?ÌýÌý
- What was challenging, and how did you overcome it?ÌýÌý
- What skills did you use or develop?ÌýÌý
- What would you do differently next time?Ìý
A short conversation or discussion can help students identify their strengths and better understand their growth without adding a formal reflection assignment.Ìý
4. Connect what students are doing to the real worldÌý
Students may not always see how an assignment or campus job connects to their future. Making that connection explicit can help.Ìý
When it fits, share how a skill, project or concept might show up in a workplace or profession. You can also explain how skills such as problem-solving, collaboration and communication are useful across many different career paths.Ìý
5. Give feedback on the skills students are buildingÌý
The feedback you already give students can help them recognize and strengthen career readiness skills.Ìý
When you comment on a student’s work, point out what they’re doing well and where they can improve. You might highlight strong communication, teamwork, problem-solving, organization or another skill they demonstrated. Naming the skill helps students understand what they’re learning and gives them language they can use when talking about their experience with employers.Ìý
Career Services can helpÌý
Career Services partners with faculty and staff to bring career development into the experiences students already have at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder.Ìý
Here are a few ways to partner with us:Ìý
- Have Career Services present to your class. We can help connect course content and career development or introduce students to career resources.Ìý
- Meet with our team. Get ideas for integrating career readiness into your course, program or department.Ìý
- Include Career Services resources in your course. Share foundational career skills and other materials with students through Canvas or other course communications.Ìý
- Connect students with additional skill-building opportunities. and LinkedIn Learning can give students ways to continue developing skills inside and outside the classroom.Ìý
Small changes can help students make stronger connections between what they’re doing now and what comes next. Career Services is here to help you make those connections without adding more to your workload.Ìý