For many students, college is the main goal. But what happens after college graduation? Are students planning and preparing for their transition into the workforce? Dr. Krystal Rawls believes that educators can do more to help students prepare for their first job.
Dr. Rawls designed the Workforce Integration Program at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Building on a foundation of theoretically sound and data-driven practices, Rawls endeavors to create transparency and equity in workforce development programming to develop a more diverse, digitally competent, and skilled class of worker.
In a , Dr. Rawls discusses the crucial transition from college to career. Find out what areas she focuses on with her students to help prepare them for their futures.
Foster a supportive environment
Before students are ready or willing to learn anything from you, they need to know that you care about them and their efforts. A supportive environment can make a significant difference in a student’s journey from college to the workforce, when so many changes can make students feel unsure about their own skills and abilities.
According to Dr. Rawls, it starts with teaching your students about self-respect and confidence, helping them treat themselves with kindness and generosity: "We are so generous as humans to people we love and then brutal with ourselves,” she said. “Remind your students to be their own best friends. Treat themselves with kindness and generosity, because if they won't, who will?"
You can boost students’ sense of self-worth with a few simple techniques. Start fostering a supportive environment by:
- Celebrating achievements: People want their efforts to be seen and acknowledged, and your learners are no exception. Recognize and celebrate students' accomplishments, both big and small. This can boost their confidence and motivation.
- Providing constructive feedback: Equally important to celebrating wins is pointing out ways in which students can improve. Offer constructive feedback that focuses on growth and improvement rather than just criticism.
- Encouraging self-care: Students should come to class ready to learn and grow, but it’s hard to do that if they’re not taking care of their well-being, both physical and mental. Promote the importance of self-care and work-life balance. Remind students to take breaks, get enough sleep, and engage in activities they enjoy.
Model how to plan
You’re building an environment in which your student can thrive. Next you need to give them the tools to continue thriving outside the classroom. We’ve all heard the old adage, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Setting your students up for a successful journey after college graduation should start with a plan.
Dr. Rawls emphasizes the importance of not just planning, but early planning. "I tell my students that the day they get into college they should be thinking about what they want to be doing when they get out of college so that they can use their college time to really prepare," she advises.
To help students with this planning process, Dr. Rawls emphasizes three things:
- Encouraging goal setting: Helping students set goals familiarizes them with the process and helps them see the importance of both short- and long-term plans. Additionally, these goals can help them stay focused and motivated throughout their college journey.
- Providing resources: Planning for the future can be intimidating, especially if your students feel like they’re doing it all alone. Point them to relevant resources such as career counseling, workshops, and seminars that focus on career planning and development.
- Creating assignments with real-world applications: Design assignments and projects that mimic real-world scenarios. This can help students understand how their academic work translates to the workplace, empowering them to plan and prepare more effectively for their future careers.
Teach time management skills
Once your students have a plan or goal in place, they’ll need time management skills — critical for success in both college and the workforce — to be able to accomplish it. Dr. Rawls encourages her students to create a structured schedule. “I tell them to develop a daily or a weekly schedule that outlines tasks and deadlines." By prioritizing tasks and setting specific goals, students can manage their time more effectively and reduce stress.
Here are some strategies educators can use to help students develop time management skills:
- Talking about different methods of time management: Introduce students to various time management techniques, such as the Pomodoro Technique, time blocking, and prioritization methods. Students who are introduced to various approaches are more likely to find a system that works for them.
- Modeling good time management: Demonstrate effective time management in your own teaching practices. For example, start and end classes on time, and show students how you organize your workload.
- Providing tools and resources: Recommend tools such as planners, digital calendars, and task management apps that students can use to organize their time. Again, time management is not one-size-fits-all, so giving students a wide-range of tools and apps will help them hone their own time management approach.
Transitioning from college to the workforce is a challenging yet exciting journey for students. As educators, you can equip them with the skills, knowledge, and support they’ll need to succeed. By fostering a supportive environment, helping students plan for their future, and teaching time management skills, you can make a lasting impact on their lives.
Learn more from Dr. Rawls on her latest episode of the CERTIFIED Educator Podcast .