Career Counseling in Education

As colleges struggle to connect between school and work, advising usually gets written off. But new evidence from our study with Georgia State University National Institute for Student Success suggests the opposite: when done right, advising can shape long-term career outcomes. The Burning Glass Institute tracked the long-term careers of 23,000 Georgia State grads who had participated in a student success program, including proactive advising, and compared them with peers. Participants experienced stronger earnings outcomes, faster advancement into management, and greater alignment between their degree and their eventual career. And the effects were strongest for those who received multiple coordinated supports. Even more striking: Pell-eligible students who accessed multiple supports ultimately outperformed their non-Pell peers in career outcomes. Three broader implications stand out: 1. Advising only works when it is systematic. The Georgia State model pairs analytics with human intervention, using real-time data to identify when students are off track and trigger targeted support. The technology matters, but the staffing and institutional commitment matter just as much.   2. The real payoff is not just completion—it’s trajectory. Much of the conversation around student success focuses on graduation rates. But the more consequential question is what happens after the degree. When advising integrates academic pathways with career insight, it can influence how students translate education into opportunity.   3. The “school-to-work” problem may be partly an institutional design problem. If advising is treated as a marginal student service, its impact will be marginal. But when institutions treat it as infrastructure—connecting curriculum, skills, and career pathways—it becomes a powerful bridge between learning and labor markets. For a sector searching for ways to strengthen the college-to-career pipeline, this is an important reminder: Advising isn’t just about helping students graduate. At its best, it helps them navigate toward opportunity. You can find the report "Programs That Make a Difference" at: https://lnkd.in/dHK3b4pi Thank you to Burning Glass Institute colleagues Cecilia Joy Perez, Olivia Gunther, Daniel Sexton, Aditya R., and Carlo Salerno for their work on this report, as well as to our partners at Georgia State University’s National Institute for Student Success: Timothy M. Renick, Mackenzie DeForest, M.S, Benjamin Brandon, and Priscilla Moreno Bell, Ph.D. #education #careers #highereducation #collegesanduniversities

Last week, I shared pathways to a policy career, sparking an engaging discussion. Many asked: “What can I do right now to prepare?” As an engineer, I learned that random vectors add to zero - scattered efforts most often don’t create progress. The key is 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲. Even if your long-term vision evolves, thoughtful next steps are essential. Here are four steps to get started: 1. Pick a Focus - and Go Deep Choose a topic you’re willing to invest in, whether driven by passion, curiosity, or employability. Once chosen, commit to going deep. Follow experts, read journals, and stay updated on trends. Time-box any exploration phase; credibility comes from sustained focus, not constant pivots. 2. Master Core Skills Young professionals succeed by excelling in one or more foundational skills: Writing: To communicate ideas clearly. Data Analysis: To draw actionable insights. Research: To develop evidence-based solutions. Aim to master at least one while maintaining competence in the others. AI tools can enhance these skills but don’t replace them, critical thinking will always matter. 3. Think Beyond Silos Policy issues are interconnected - solutions often lie at intersections (e.g., governance + or climate + economics). While depth is key, cultivate basic knowledge across adjacent fields to craft more informed solutions and maximize your employability. 4. Make Your Expertise Visible Don’t just know, show your expertise. Write on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium to refine your thinking and build credibility. Your first posts don’t need perfection; the act of sharing is what matters. No matter what you are choosing an internship or job role be strategic. Each step should deepen expertise, sharpen skills, or expand cross-sectoral knowledge. Public policy careers are rarely linear, but intentionality is crucial. Start with clear, deliberate steps today and let your path evolve. Next week, I’ll share the mindsets for impact in public policy. Until then, share your thoughts: What’s your next step? 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞.

Higher education is facing another major shift. Congress just amended the Higher Education Act of 1965. And while the headlines focus on loan reform, the real impact may be in new accountability rules and its impact on graduate programs. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 “𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆” 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 : -- Master’s alumni must earn more than someone with a bachelor’s degree in a similar academic discipline 𝟲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 after graduation. -- PhD alumni must earn more than someone with a bachelor’s degree in a similar academic discipline 𝟭𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 after graduation. Programs that fail to meet these standards will lose eligibility for federal student loans. This updated legislation is simpler and more punitive than the Financial Value Transparency Framework created by the Biden administration. Most likely, the new legislation will be the de facto criteria for graduate programs, and the FVT will apply to undergraduate programs. Only time will tell. What we do know: the wage premium for master’s degrees has been declining, and salaries for mid-career professionals are increasingly based on skills and experience rather than credentials (https://lnkd.in/g_sR3Beq). A study by Third Way found that 43% of in-person master’s programs did not leave alumni able to out-earn someone with a bachelor’s degree in their state. Many PhDs who exit academia tend to work in careers they could have entered with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Humanities and Social Science programs, where too many alumni remain in adjunct positions after graduation, will be impacted, as will STEM programs where PhD spend significant years in low-pay postdoc positions. ➡️𝗜𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁, 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿. Programs that depend on federal students loans will need to ensure their alumni out-earn someone with a bachelor’s degree. Which means they’ll need to be able to be able to articulate the value of their graduate degrees to employers. For partners: Keep an eye on an email I’m sending out shortly with what’s happening in Beyond Prof & Beyond Grad School and resources to continue to support you. For all of us in grad education: Job searching is not intuitive, and grad students need to learn proven strategies to be successful. The job market has changed drastically in the last few years, and your students need your support in navigating this unprecedented terrain. 

Thinking about a career with the Government of Canada? Patience matters, especially right now. The public service is navigating workforce adjustment. Many departments are focused internally and external hiring is limited in several areas, meaning that timelines may be longer than expected. Still, more people than ever have reached out for advice. I'm encouraged by this expressed interest in public service so I wanted to share are a few points that have come up often. • First, remember that working in the public service means working for Canada and for Canadians. If you are not motivated by delivering excellent public service, this path may not be the best fit. And that is okay. • Play the long game. Use your time outside government intentionally, even if it means several years. • Be open to more than one federal department. You might have a dream department in mind but skills transfer and networks compound over time. • Find good people to work with and for. Team culture can shape your experience more than a shiny portfolio. Strong, human centered teams make a real difference. • Invest in your official language capacity. Le bilinguisme ouvre des portes. • Build experience outside government. NGOs, international organizations, provincial or municipal government, and the private sector can all strengthen your profile. • Volunteer strategically. If you have the time, board service or advisory roles with nonprofits and charities can be a practical way to contribute, gain governance experience, leverage your unique expertise, and demonstrate results. • Understand classifications (e.g. AS, CR, EC, FS, IS, PM, etc). Review criteria from recent competitions that interest you - even if it is too late to apply. Using the STAR format, write down specific examples you have that respond to each criteria. This can also reveal areas you can develop further. • Remember that the system is process driven and moves in cycles. Preparation helps you be ready when opportunities open. This reflects what I have seen over 20+ years but it is not a foolproof formula. Careers in public service rarely unfold in straight lines, and the strongest public servants often arrive with diverse backgrounds. Best of luck!

This message is for friends and colleagues from the USG who find themselves on the job market. This insight is not comprehensive or authoritative, but I hope it is helpful. While your experience may vary, these tips worked for me: A) Ask yourself where you want to try to land, and what you would wish to do: think tanks, academia, business, other parts of government, etc. Where do you want to work, ie, Washington, or elsewhere? With what kinds of people? What are your salary needs? Is there any new skill or experience you wish to learn? What other parameters advance your happiness? Try to be realistic about what is feasible, and where there might be employers looking for someone like you. B) Once you have even a vague sense of your preferences, activate your network. This is the key step! Think of people you trust and respect who are active in the arena in which you wish to land. Ask to have coffee or lunch with them, or connect virtually. Seek their advice and insights, inform them you are looking for options, and ask them for their insight. These folks will become your eyes and ears, and may think of all sorts of unexpected or hidden opportunities. Work your network, recalling all the many connections you have built over the years. C) Translate your skills to the outside world. State Department people often excel at client relations, risk mitigation, strategic insight, complex planning, and crisis management. Take the real life expertise you developed within government and translate into the terminology and needs of the world outside government. Ideally, you will develop a one page resume that encompasses the array of skills and impact you can bring to a new situation. Have that at hand for when your network asks for it. D) Start studying LinkedIn and other similar sources to see what job vacancies are out there, and what employers are seeking. Connect with your friends on LinkedIn and build your virtual network. Start getting a sense of what salaries and opportunities the market will bear. Ideas and insights may come that guide you to localize your search. With great care and judgment, considering offering your unique insights and experience to the world via social media, but manage the optics and risks in a way that maximizes your appeal to a prospective employer and would not get you cut in a vetting process. E) If your circumstances permit you to be selective, take your time. Offers and opportunities may not roll in immediately. Apply rigor in evaluating all the angles - money, location, personalities, functions, culture, vibrations, etc. Ask as many questions as it takes to make yourself feel informed about possible choices. Ask your network and those who love you what they think. You can never gain too much insight before making a decision. Be sure to do what is right by you and yours. F) Trust your gut. If something feels more right than others, go with your instincts. Good luck and best wishes. 🙏

The Department of Education has moved to reclassify teaching, nursing, social work, and similar fields as “non-professional” programs for federal loan purposes. This shift lowers borrowing limits for graduate students and removes key loan options that many educators rely on. The change arrives during a national teacher shortage and will make it harder for new educators to enter the field. Here is why this matters for our schools and our future workforce.

Two recent federal policy shifts—embedded in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—are setting the stage for stronger alignment between education pathways and workforce needs. One expands Pell Grants to cover shorter, career-aligned programs. The other raises the cap on tax-free education benefits annually, giving employers more room to invest in learning without adding tax burdens for employees. Together, they represent a rare and timely shift—one that enables employers to skill for what is next, unlock internal talent, and rethink how frontline and middle-skill workers access opportunity. Harnessing the impact of these opportunities won't come from policy alone. It will come from what leaders do next. In two recent Compass bylines, I break down what these changes mean for employers—and how to move from policy awareness to talent strategy. The first focuses on preparing for Workforce Pell and the rise of short-form credentials. The second unpacks the expanded Section 127 cap and what it makes possible. If you are asking how to make education benefits a lever for business growth, these were written with you in mind. Full pieces linked in the comments below. 

Each year, millions of learners graduate with the hope of launching their careers—but too many find themselves stuck at the starting line. In my latest piece for Forbes, I explore the growing disconnect between educators, employers and graduates—and why shared accountability is essential to solving the career readiness crisis. 📊 Our latest Graduate Employability Report reveals: - 48% of recent grads feel unqualified for entry-level roles - Only 30% believe their education prepared them for the job market - And yet, 89% of educators say their students are ready This misalignment is leaving learners behind—and eroding trust in the value of education itself. It’s time for a new approach. One where: ✅ Educators embed career readiness into the curriculum ✅ Employers partner directly with schools to shape programs and expand internships ✅ Policymakers support scalable solutions that connect education to employment The future of workforce development depends on collaboration. Let’s stop asking who is responsible—and start recognizing that we all are. 📖 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ehwC7maa #WorkforceDevelopment #CareerReadiness #EducationToEmployment #FutureOfWork #CengageGroup #Leadership #ForbesBusinessCouncil

I strongly agree with the recent The Wall Street Journal commentary spotlighting the urgent skills gap facing the American workforce, underscored by Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley's candid remarks. He laments that Ford can't fill 5,000 mechanic jobs paying up to $120,000. This should be a stark wake-up call. We have a systemic issue where government and cultural biases disproportionately steer young people toward four-year college degrees, often leading to increasing unemployment among college grads, while critical, high-paying skilled trade jobs go begging. Consider these key points: ➡️ While 1.24 million completed four-year degrees, only 114,000 Americans in their 20s finished vocational programs last year. ➡️ Those who complete vocational programs are 5.6 percentage points more likely to be employed than recent bachelor's recipients. This isn't just a corporate problem. It's an economic and public service crisis. We need a fundamental shift in how we value and support vocational education. ✅ Re-invest in Trade Schools: Businesses must partner with educational institutions to create robust, modern trade school programs that reflect the actual needs of the industry, as Mr. Farley rightly noted they are missing. ✅ Challenge the College-Only Narrative: We must work to destigmatize the trades and highlight them as lucrative, high-tech, and essential career paths. High-school counseling needs an overhaul. ✅ Advocate for Policy Change: We need to reduce the government bias and subsidies that disproportionately favor degrees over essential skills, directly addressing the labor quality issues cited by small business owners. If we cannot find or train skilled workers here, production will move offshore, and the cost of essential services will rise. Let's start a real conversation about making the trades a first-choice option. Here at Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP, we have initiatives underway to shape the future of work and to build the foundation for a manufacturing renaissance in the United States. Stay tuned! #SkillsGap #WorkforceDevelopment #VocationalEducation #Manufacturing https://lnkd.in/eVuexCrQ

The recent layoffs of thousands of federal employees have sent shockwaves through individuals and the system alike. ⚡ It’s a tough economic reality where highly skilled professionals are suddenly left navigating an oversaturated talent pool where demand doesn’t yet match supply. Here are some ideas to consider as you pave your next career pathway: 1️⃣ Take Time to Reset (If You Can) ⏳ If finances allow, stepping back to clear your head can be invaluable. 🧘♂️ I know this isn’t an option for everyone—some may be a paycheck away from hardship—but if you’re able, use this time to reflect and recharge. 2️⃣ Expand Your Job Search Beyond LinkedIn 🔎 Explore platforms like Monster.com or visit the career pages of companies you admire. 💼 3️⃣ Pivot to Similar Roles in New Industries 🔄 Public health skills are transferable! 🏥 If you’ve worked with observational data, search for “real-world evidence” roles. Other fits might include patient safety, medical affairs, or pharmacovigilance. Translate your expertise into private-sector language. 4️⃣ Explore State and Local Government 🏛️ Public health isn’t just federal. Your skills in surveillance, policy, or epidemiology are in demand at state and local levels. 📊 Be prepared: the pay might not match federal rates, but it’s a way to keep contributing. 5️⃣ Consider Consulting 📑 Explore government contracts at SAM.gov. Filter relevant NAICS codes, e.g., 54 (Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services) and 54191 (Marketing Research & Public Opinion Polling). 6️⃣ Switch Industries Entirely 🔀 A full career pivot isn’t easy, but adjacent fields—like QA or data engineering—might surprise you. 📉 It’s a learning curve, but your adaptability is your strength. 7️⃣ Dip Into Academia 🎓 Academia is competitive, but your government experience in health policy, epidemiology, or statistics is a goldmine for students. 🏫 Start as an adjunct faculty member. Negotiate part-time status to apply for grants and avoid resume gaps. 8️⃣ Build Something New 🚀 You’ve seen problems firsthand in government—now’s the time to solve them. 🔧 Whether it’s data collection, policy engagement, or evidence generation, turn your insights into a venture. If tech feels daunting, I’d love to help. Reach out with a solid idea, and I’ll assist with the tech side. 9️⃣ Teach a Course Online 📚 Platforms like Udemy let you create and sell courses on your expertise. 🎥 Share your knowledge on surveillance, policy, or stats, and earn while you build your next step. 🔟 Seek Partnerships 🤝 Starting from scratch is hard. Instead, find existing organizations—perhaps founded by peers—and ask: How can I add value? A small stake in something thriving beats 100% of nothing. (At Chisquares, we’re always open to win-win collaborations—let’s talk!) This chapter is tough, but so are you. 💪 Take it step by step, lean on your network, and keep innovating. You’re not alone—you’ve got this. 🌟 ♻️ Please reshare to help others #Career #Pivot