I work with soon-to-be high school graduates. Some are coming out of a career technical program with in-demand skills, but I also work with high school graudates that are "unskilled" and are not sure what they want to do after graduation. This course so far has provided some clear objectives and steps that all the students I work with can utilize to begin the job search process, as well as provides actual tools to help them get started accessing and navigating the job search process, which is primarily online now. 

I learned that communication could mean different things to different people, and that I shouldn’t automatically assume that someone’s silence, body language, or tone means they are disengaged or uninterested. I want to be more mindful of this in my work by slowing down, asking questions, and making sure I understand where a learner is coming from before I make assumptions.

I have learned of new job boards that I can share with students.

The imptance of student voice.  It is very easy to move the pendulum in the right direction with the intent to help but if the pendulum is moving with out the student effort you might be hindering the learning instead of helping.  There is a fine balance for sure. 

One strategy I intend to apply is practicing greater cultural awareness and curiosity. Rather than making assumptions about a client based on their background, I want to ask thoughtful, open-ended questions and allow the client to explain what is important to them. I also want to become more aware of my own biases and how they might influence my coaching approach.

Another important lesson is the value of adapting coaching strategies to the individual. There is no single approach that will work equally well for every client. I plan to use active listening, reflective questioning, goal-setting, and constructive feedback while… >>>

Properly worded and structured resume and cover letter are the most important first impression. A resume is what is going to get a student an interview. So it should be full of all of the most important information possible while maintaining organization and appearance. While there are few ways to get someone to honestly read a resume, even for the most qualified person it is still what will set you apart from someone else with the same credentials and experience.  

Encouraging networking opportunities not just the people that they know, but also seeking out career fairs and hiring events, especially ones that are hosted by the companies they are interested in working for. 

Helping students to refine their job search instead of applying to 100+ job postings is truly going to be more fruitful than the time and effort it would take to apply to 100+ jobs. So many times I hear students and graduates talk about how they will apply and apply, but are unwilling to ask the people around them for an introduction or to think of anywhere that may be hiring. It may be a cultural thing that we think that we have to go through life and do things on our own because that is how we have always… >>>

I learned that communication is so very important in career coaching. The way we give feedback, respond to students, and discuss topics with our students helps to create a positive relationship between career coach and student. This positive relationship then feeds into the success of the overall program in itself. Overall, communication is key! 

By taking this course I saw the importance of building relationships with your students as you coach them and work with them through this process. As a golf coach, I found many similarities in how I approach working with students. Students need to know that you care for them, want to help support them, and that you are a safe place for them to voice their joys, as well as any concerns they might have.