As we welcome our students back after summer break our thoughts are usually focused on two groups, incoming freshmen, and our senior class. Once orientation, tours, and scheduling of freshmen is done, our graduating class starts to monopolize our time. Hopefully they have learned how to navigate the usual class selection process and can limit the time spent making sure they have enough credits, and the right credits, to graduate with their preferred major. With those tasks in the rear-view mirror, their focus becomes their next phase in life. Whether it be graduate school, a job, a gap period, or something else, the decision will be theirs and will require some thought. The best thing we can do at this stage of their lives is to teach them how to depend on themselves.
Up to this point, most seniors have had counselors, parents, coaches, teachers, etc. to help them with their decisions. These are valuable learning experiences that help prepare the student for what comes next and how to approach the experiences life will throw at them. Now, as our students move into their next phase, they need to be more selective with the types of individuals they chose as mentors and counselors. They need to be more dependent on themselves to identify the individuals that can help them and give sound advice.
We have all heard the horror stories of people that selected the wrong financial advisors and lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The reason this happens can be traced to poor due diligence and not depending on their own work to identify the advisor and make sure they are qualified and fit the investing goals that should have been identified up front. Not doing the proper research is the biggest mistake anyone can make. And, unfortunately, it is a mistake that does not need to happen.
So as we move forward with our seniors, we need to encourage them to depend on themselves to do the research and avoid as many mistakes as possible. This process begins with knowing who they are, where they want to go, and who may be able to help them. As anxious as our seniors may be to charge forward, they would be well advised to take a step back, reflect on their experiences to this point, and begin an organized process to identify their goals and map out a plan to reach their destination. The journey to success will be much more enjoyable if they take the time to plan their route.
Who are you? The answer is probably difficult to determine unless you do some research into yourself. A self-assessment is a good start. There are many assessments out there, but the good ones should be predictive rather than just a personality assessment. Strive to move towards an assessment that covers the following four areas to ensure a reasonable result.
Reasoning Ability (how you think and solve problems)
Personality Traits (introvert, extrovert, manageability, sense of urgency, etc.)
Professional Skills (resilience, persistence, etc.)
Areas of interest (business, finance, sales, mechanical, creative, etc.)
With this information in hand, the student can now begin to explore career options that fit their profile and give them the best chances for success. They can also determine the types of individuals they relate best to and reach out to potential mentors and counselors for help. Finally, they can evaluate companies and positions they think are a good fit for their personality, professional profile, work culture, and approach to learning.
It's a good start to a journey that will have many turns and detours. If you learn to depend on yourself, and look to the right people for help, when necessary, you will find you can overcome most of the roadblocks ahead.
GFV CAMPUS TO CAREER – Supporting Student Success
Visit our website, www.gfvcampustocareer.com, to explore our programs for: