How Clear Is Their Path? Guided Career Pathways and Community College Students (2024)

This report by the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) explores the preparedness of community college students in navigating their career pathways. Based on data from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) conducted in collaboration with Jobs for the Future (JFF), the report highlights students' understanding of career pathways, requisite skills, in-demand jobs, and future earnings.

Main Takeaways:

• Understanding Career Pathways:

  • High Levels of Career Choice: Over 90% of students reported having chosen a career path. However, many students lacked critical information about their chosen careers.
  • Requisite Skills: Nearly half of the respondents felt that their coursework had provided them with the necessary information about the skills required for their careers. This indicates a need for improved curriculum alignment with career skills.
  • Credit Hours and Experience: Students with more than 30 credit hours or those who participated in internships were more likely to report being well-informed about their career paths.

• Knowledge of In-Demand Jobs:

  • Local Job Market Awareness: Only 21% of students felt their college experience contributed significantly to their understanding of which jobs are in demand locally. This suggests a gap in career counseling services focused on local labor market trends.
  • Internships and Career Counseling: Students who engaged in internships or regularly used career counseling services were better informed about job market demands. Despite this, only a minority of students took advantage of these resources.

• Future Earnings Insight:

  • Earnings Information: Less than half of the students accurately understood future earnings related to their chosen careers. Providing students with realistic salary expectations and labor market data could improve their career planning.
  • Educational Resources: Tools like O*NET and My Next Move were recommended to help students gain better insights into career earnings and opportunities.

• Sources of Guidance:

  • Primary Sources: Students primarily relied on advisors, counselors, and instructors for career information, but a significant portion also depended on friends and family, who may provide outdated or incomplete advice.
  • Effectiveness of Guidance: Students who received career guidance from their instructors or advisors reported clearer career goals and better preparedness.

• The Engagement Impact:

  • Student Engagement: Higher engagement scores in areas such as Academic Challenge, Active and Collaborative Learning, and Support for Learners were associated with better career pathway guidance.
  • Institutional Support: Colleges that provided more comprehensive career guidance saw higher levels of student engagement and satisfaction.

Policy and Practice Recommendations:

• Enhancing Career Counseling Services: Institutions should expand and promote career counseling services to ensure students are well-informed about career paths, requisite skills, and local job markets.
• Integrating Career Preparation in Curriculum: Embedding career-oriented activities and real-world experiences into the curriculum can help students gain practical skills and knowledge.
• Promoting Internships and Work-Based Learning: Increasing opportunities for internships and work-based learning experiences can significantly enhance students' readiness for their chosen careers.
• Leveraging Technology and Resources: Utilizing tools can provide students with valuable career information and help align their educational paths with market demands.
• Continuous Engagement and Feedback: Regularly assessing and adapting career guidance programs based on student feedback and labor market trends can ensure these services remain relevant and effective.