Benefits of Putting Students in the Driver’s Seat of College and Career Planning

All too often, the college and career exploration and decision-making process is driven by adults. Counselors prompt students with activities, deadlines, and checklists. Parents and family members often pass along advice based on their own experiences and perspectives, sometimes making it difficult for students to separate what is best for them from family members’ hopes. And the tools most districts provide to students for the CCR process are usually selected by administrators and counselors who review and choose school or district resources, without first-hand student input. 

Though these adults are vital to guiding and informing the process, students, themselves, are the ones who need to be in the driver’s seat–for they are the ones who will have to live whatever postsecondary life they plan for throughout high school. 

Postsecondary Fit & Persistence

When students do not take the primary role in the college and career exploration, planning, and decision-making process, they are at risk for ending up at a school or job that is not the right fit for them. When adults are setting the tone for the conversations, students sometimes end up doing what they think is expected of them, rather than what excites them or drives their passions. Many students do not realize the full breadth of options available and often defer to what they hear about from those around them. And, the more formal processes set up to make these decisions often overlook personal preferences that can heavily impact day-to-day life and, therefore, the likelihood of completing the program or degree. When students do not find the right postsecondary fit, they lose time, money, and momentum as they either struggle with where they are or try to find an alternative.

Empowering students with agency to use the time in high school to deeply explore college and career options; reflect on one’s own passions, strengths, and preferences; and find the best intersection of those variables has short- and long-term benefits. When schools and districts enable this student-led process: 

Students will make active choices in which they are invested.

‍When students are given the tools, resources, and responsibility to forge their postsecondary path, they are more invested in the outcomes and they are more aware of the reasons for making a certain choice versus the alternatives. Going through the process of deeply exploring options and discerning which path is the best fit for them allows students to feel more confident in their choice and ready to fully engage once they leave high school, rather than questioning the decision or envying peers.    

Students will set their own goals and will work harder to meet them.‍

When student decisions and goals reflect what excites them, they are more likely to be self-motivated to make them a reality. They also understand the steps needed to accomplish the goals as they have put thought into the reasons behind them and how they relate to where they are now. Many CCR goals take years to achieve; when students are intrinsically driven to reach those goals, they are more likely to stay committed to it over time and persevere through obstacles or challenges. 

Students’ decisions will take into account much more nuanced and personal variables.

‍A college or career choice can be derailed by seemingly small and inconsequential details that can go unnoticed by others. Whether it is an urban or rural environment, the climate, or the social scene have a big impact on student life and happiness, but are not often part of more formal searches. When students take charge of the search and exploration process, they take these considerations into account and are able to prioritize their needs, strengths, and preferences–ultimately finding the best fit for their academic, social, financial, and more idiosyncratic needs. 

Students will learn how to make big decisions.

Life-readiness is truly the goal of postsecondary planning. Providing opportunities for students to go through the process of self-assessing needs and wants, exploring options, choosing which variables are most important, understanding long-term impacts, and deciding on the best option gives them a model and practice for the many additional decisions they will have to make as adults.  

A Student-Centered Approach to College And Career Readiness

It is critical that schools and districts find ways to empower students to lead the college and career exploration and planning process. Students need access to engaging and user-friendly resources that allow them to explore options without constraints or biases from adults. They need opportunities for self-reflection so that they can come to understand what is important to them and what should be prioritized in this process. And they need access to information and resources that include a broad range of postsecondary options so they are not limited to choices that family members have made or that they know from the media. Making this effort can drastically increase postsecondary persistence as more students will continue their path in a place that allows them to learn, grow, and develop into fulfilled adults.