Integrating Careers

Introduction

Pillar One of the guided pathways framework asks colleges to present program offerings in a way that supports career and major exploration that is scaffolded and supported. Metamajors cluster programs that share common career paths, teach common skills, and bring students together in communities with shared interests. Colleges are putting metamajors front and center on their websites and marketing materials to make students aware of the support available for career exploration and decision-making. 

This is a good first step. However, research shows that students will change their major three times on average while in college. First generation college students and students farthest from opportunity struggle more with understanding how their college pathways impact their ability to transition from college to career and which degrees will fulfill both their interests and their economic needs. Research also shows that 65% of the future jobs that students will have don’t exist yet. To help prepare students to be resilient enough to successfully navigate the future of work, especially students without generational social capital and networks, colleges are finding ways to build early exposure to career options and pathways in the orientation to college, first-year experience programs, curriculum common to first-year students, and counseling practices.