Why College Is Not Worth It, Career Centers Are Failing in Career Guidance, Part 2 for College Grads

Let me tell you about a client of mine, Emily, a bright recent college graduate with a degree in communications. Emily diligently visited her college career center, attended all the workshops, and used the resume template provided. She was confident that she was on the right path to landing her dream job. But after months of sending out countless applications and attending multiple interviews, Emily still found herself unemployed and disillusioned. Sadly, Emily's story isn't unique. She is an example of why college is not worth it. The career center failed her in setting up for job success, and her communications degree didn't cover effective professional or networking communications.

The Role of Career Centers

Career centers are intended to bridge the gap between college and the workforce. They should help graduates find their first jobs, navigate the interview process, and set them up for career success. However, many graduates find that these centers fall short in providing the necessary guidance and support. As someone who has been on both the hiring and career coaching sides for many years, I continue to be astonished at how ineffective these centers are.

I argue that college career centers often fail to provide the essential career guidance new graduates need. Here, we explore the reasons behind this shortfall and offer practical advice for graduates to take charge of their career development.

The Promise of Career Centers

Expectations of New Graduates

New graduates expect college career centers to offer personalized career counseling, effective job search strategies, and practical skills for the workplace. They hope for support in creating standout resumes, preparing for interviews, and building professional networks. Do they really deliver?

The Reality of Career Center Support

Unfortunately, there is a significant disconnect between these expectations and the actual support provided. Career centers often use generic resume templates that fail to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and don't effectively showcase a candidate's strengths. Additionally, many graduates face their first interviews, assuming they get any, without proper coaching on how to advocate for themselves, and the importance of a strong work ethic is rarely emphasized. We are all taught to be humble and not brag or talk about ourselves, but that’s exactly what an interview is in a nutshell. Is it a fine line between confidence and arrogance? Absolutely, but even this baseline foundation isn’t taught.

Why Aren't College Students Using Career Services?

A significant number of college students don't use career services because they find them unhelpful or irrelevant. According to a 2020 survey by Gallup, only about 17% of students say their career center was "very helpful". With college being pushed so heavily, I’d hope for more than 17% finding college resources “very helpful”. Many students feel that the advice is too generalized and not tailored to their specific needs and goals. There isn’t the 1-on-1 relationship like a quality mentor or career coach truly provides for success.

Outdated Career Advice

Misalignment with the Job Market

Career centers often provide outdated advice that doesn't align with the current job market. This misalignment stems from two primary issues: the academic nature of colleges and the slow pace of curriculum updates due to regulatory oversight. Colleges are filled with academics who may not be attuned to the latest industry trends and advancements. As a result, career centers frequently fail to provide guidance on information and professional changes that are required in the year 2024.

Lack of Personalized Guidance

Furthermore, career centers tend to treat students as a homogenous group, offering one-size-fits-all solutions rather than personalized advice. In fact, they are incentivized to produce cookie-cutter youngsters, because the more throughput, the more funding they receive. This approach overlooks the unique talents and aspirations of individual students, making it harder for them to find career paths that truly suit their strengths and interests.

Limited Networking Opportunities

Insufficient Networking Support

One critical area where career centers fall short is in providing sufficient networking opportunities. Networking is essential for career success, yet many graduates leave college without a robust professional network. Career centers often fail to facilitate meaningful connections with industry professionals.

Even if you take the stance that it’s not the career center's responsibility to provide the opportunity to network, when it should be, new graduates don’t even know HOW to begin networking. At the very least, if you aren’t going to give someone the fish, you should teach them how to fish, right?

Proactive Networking Strategies

Graduates need to proactively build their networks. This can be done through online communities, social media groups, and professional platforms like LinkedIn. Additionally, attending industry events, seeking mentors, and joining platforms like Skool can help graduates connect with like-minded professionals and mentors who can offer valuable guidance and opportunities. Is it scary to reach out cold? Damn right it is, but don’t let fear rule your life and take the leap.

Why Is It So Hard to Get Hired Out of College?

Many college graduates struggle to get hired due to a lack of practical experience and professional networks. Employers often seek candidates with hands-on experience, which many graduates lack. Additionally, the competition is fierce, with numerous candidates vying for the same positions. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), only 50% of graduates had full-time employment within six months of graduation in 2022. If career coaches like myself and others out there had this success rate, none of us would make money long term.

Simple math really quick, go to college and leave almost $40,000 in debt with a 50% chance of no employment in 6 months, or spend $1,000 - $1,500 for a solid career coaching program and have not only a job in 6 months but a foundation to build on for years to come.

Inadequate Job Search Support

Flawed Job Search Strategies

Career centers often advocate a "shotgun approach" to job applications, encouraging students to send out as many applications as possible. This strategy is inefficient and rarely effective. Graduates need to focus on quality over quantity, tailoring each application to the specific job and company. They also need to reach out to people and decision-makers at these companies. Kill two birds with a single stone and enhance your network while also applying. This provides infinite value for little extra effort.

Effective Job Hunting Tips

Graduates should leverage LinkedIn to network and research potential employers. Attending industry events, job fairs, and using specialized job search platforms can also increase their chances of finding suitable employment. Building a strong LinkedIn profile, engaging with industry content, and reaching out to professionals for informational interviews can make a significant difference.

Why Won't Jobs Hire College Students?

Employers may hesitate to hire college students due to a perceived lack of experience and practical skills. Additionally, many employers look for candidates who can demonstrate a strong work ethic, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills—qualities that are not always evident in recent graduates.

Not to bring too many politics into this, but if you have a minimum wage of $20 per hour ($41,600 per year) like some states have, plus benefits, plus training, plus productivity loss from superiors training you, are you really going to risk it on someone with 0 proven value? Engage with those who have where you want to go and develop a practical path to get there. Don’t trust the academics that couldn’t succeed in the real world with the rest of us.

Continuous Professional Development

The Importance of Ongoing Learning

Ongoing learning and skill development are crucial for career advancement. Many graduates mistakenly believe that their degree alone is enough to secure a job. However, continuous professional development is essential. Reading a book on a subject is not the same as gaining real-world experience. Similarly, academic knowledge doesn't always translate into practical skills. We know this from every other facet of life. Did you learn to dance by sitting in a classroom? Did you learn to throw a ball by reading about it? I rest my case.

Resources for Professional Development

Graduates should take advantage of online courses, certifications, and workshops to enhance their skills. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer a wide range of courses that can help graduates stay current with industry trends and technologies. Engaging in continuous learning not only improves job prospects but also prepares graduates for long-term career growth.

What Percent of People Don't Get a Job After College?

Approximately 40% of recent college graduates are underemployed, and about 11% are unemployed, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's 2023 data. This highlights the significant challenges graduates face in finding suitable employment.

What Percentage of Students with College Degrees Are Unemployed?

As of 2023, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates stands at around 11%, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This figure underscores the difficulties graduates encounter in securing jobs that align with their education. You could also say, “Well, 89% are employed,” however, that doesn’t account for the underemployment epidemic, as previously stated, which means the degree was useless.

Conclusion

College career centers often fall short in providing the essential guidance and support new graduates need. From offering outdated advice to failing to facilitate networking opportunities, these shortcomings can significantly impact graduates' career prospects.

New graduates must take charge of their career development beyond what college career centers offer. By seeking personalized guidance, leveraging networking opportunities, and engaging in continuous learning, graduates can better position themselves for career success.

Empower yourself to be proactive in your career journey. Seek out resources, build your network, and never stop learning. Your career success is in your hands, and with the right strategies and mindset, you can achieve your professional goals.

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