Supporting Your Exploratory Student

Exploration is work. Being “Exploratory” entails the active pursuit of knowledge of values, skills, majors, minors, extra-curriculars and professional aspirations to determine an educational path for yourself.

A student’s college major determines their career path. True or false? A student’s college major determines their career path.

False!

A student’s college major determines their employability. True or false? A student’s college major determines their employability.

Top Twenty Skills Employers Seeking in 2019 Graduates National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Top Twenty Skills Employers Seeking in 2019 Graduates 1. Ability to work in a team 2. Problem-solving skills 3. Written communication skills 4. Strong work ethic 5. Verbal communication skills 6. Leadership 7. Initiative 8. Analytical/quantitative skills 9. Flexibility/adaptability 10. Detail-oriented

Top 20 Skills Employers Seeking in 2019 Graduates 11. Interpersonal skills (relates well to others) 12. Technical skills related to position 13. Computer skills 14. Organizational ability 15. Strategic planning skills 16. Friendly/outgoing personality 17. Tactfulness 18. Creativity 19. Entrepreneurial skills/risk-taker 20. Fluency in a foreign language

This is a Win-Win The good news for grads: No matter what you have studied in school, whether anthropology or French or computer science, you will have had to learn the top five skills on the list. Susan Adams, Forbes

80,574 students - 87 colleges - 5 years Got Evidence? CONGRUENCE STUDY 80,574 students - 87 colleges - 5 years Success results when major matches: Values Interests Personality

Got Evidence? VIP/major match > Academic success > CONGRUENCE STUDY 80,574 students - 87 colleges - 5 years Greatest success results when major matches: Values Interests Personality VIP/major match > Academic success > Personal success> Professional success

It’s not about the job Millennials will have 15-25 jobs in adult working lives. Your student may have even more. Some have not even been invented yet. “Students who cling to the old model of major = job, because of influence by parents, higher education and peers, will struggle in the new economy. They will continue to do as trained and will ultimately be looking for jobs that no longer exist.”  

Medicine Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Of students who applied, medical schools accepted 43 % biological sciences majors 47% physical sciences majors 51% humanities majors 45% social sciences majors “Admission committee members know that medical students can develop the essential skills of acquiring, synthesizing, applying and communicating information through a wide variety of academic disciplines.”

Top majors with highest law school acceptance rates: The American Bar Association: “The ABA does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for a legal education. Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline.” Top majors with highest law school acceptance rates: Philosophy Anthropology History English

Best advice from professions: choose majors that interest and challenge you work hard for excellent grades develop research and writing skills make the most of the opportunities and experiences

Good grades in your major Bottom Line: Good grades in your major are more important than your major.

Developmental Stages Matter First-year students have a dualistic mind set Believe there is one right answer for everything, hence only one “right” major for them. Tend to look to others for the answer (advisor, parents, peers, and faculty) rather than draw conclusions based on their own research, personal goals, and self-reflection. (Evans, Forney, Guido, Patton, & Renn, 2010).

What do students need to make a good choice of major? Self knowledge Educational knowledge Occupational knowledge Decision-making knowledge National Association of College Academic Advisors ALL are cultivated in Exploring the Options

Exploring the Options Not required, but students who complete it have higher persistence to sophomore year and graduation rates. Combines academic advising, career education, values clarification, decision making and research skills. Students leave with an academic plan and detailed statement of purpose.

Why Exploring the Options? Accountability Relationship with a professor who knows your student Shared experience with other Exploratory students Take an informed stance in current conflict over purpose of college Articulate own beliefs and goals for college Systematic approach teaches transferable decision and research skills Develop an academic plan

Typical First Semester Course Load Ithaca Seminar (4 credits) Academic Writing or Quantitative Literacy Course (3) ICC Themes Course (3 credits) ICC or elective course (3 credits) Discipline of interest course (3 credits) Exploring the Options course (1 credit)

Integrative Core Curriculum Teaches Critical Skills for College and Careers Read Write Listen Speak Think critically Analyze Synthesize

120 Credits to earn a Bachelor’s Degree

True or False? A student should wait to research a career choice before choosing their major Students who explore don’t graduate on time Asking your student if they have chosen a major yet is a good way to help speed the process

Better Question: What action can/did you take to explore? Take Exploring the Options Exploit campus resources Go to the Majors and Minors Fair Attend major info and Dining with the Deans sessions Ask students and faculty about why they like their major/discipline Go to a guest speaker in potential major or career

Messages to Students Exploration is work (that can be fun) Trust the process Doing well in major matters more than the major itself Use ICC courses to explore There is no wasted knowledge or experience There is always more than one way to get where you want to go

Positive Actions You Can Take To Support Your Student Support your student’s decision to explore. Encourage a major that matches their values, interests and personality. Reinforce the idea that exploration requires active research. Urge a positive attitude toward the Integrative Core Curriculum Encourage your student to exploit IC’s resources. Remember: your student’s path belongs to your student. ☺

Director, Exploratory Program Got Questions? Elizabeth Bleicher Director, Exploratory Program exploratory@ithaca.edu