The Career Sip: Your Weekly Dose of Higher Ed Hustle!
Welcome back to your go-to spot for the buzz in higher education career development, where the coffee is always strong and the news always fresh.
Dive into this week's Career Sip for the latest in higher ed strategies, career development tips, and a surprising fun fact that'll leave you craving more!
Don't miss out—read till the end!
Latest News in Higher Ed
Essential Conferences to Power Up Your 2025 Calendar
It’s officially October, and there’s no better time to start strategizing for 2025! With an array of high-impact conferences ahead, career services teams have incredible opportunities to connect, learn, and lead innovation in higher education. Here are some of the highlights that can help elevate your institution’s approach to career development, student success, and beyond.
Kick-Off with Strategic Vision: January sets the tone with the CIC Presidents Institute (Jan. 4-7), where leaders dive into managing social, financial, and political changes. Also, the AAC&U Annual Meeting (Jan. 22-24) will tackle hot topics like AI and public confidence in education—ideal for gaining insights into the broader challenges your students and institution will face.
Career-Focused Networking: Mark your calendars for NACADA’s Annual Conference (Oct. 26-29), bringing the latest in student advising at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. Plus, the North American Career Education Convention (May 27-29) in Vegas is an essential stop for career services pros, packed with sessions on workforce trends and networking with fellow career educators.
Focus on Learning and Tech: For those passionate about online learning, OLC Innovate (April 1-4) is the go-to conference, showcasing advances in blended learning and AI. And, of course, tech aficionados will find the Educause Annual Conference (Oct. 27-29) a must-attend, focusing on IT and technology's expanding role in higher ed.
These conferences offer career services teams the chance to sharpen skills, stay ahead of trends, and bring back actionable strategies that can have a direct impact on students’ career journeys. Whether you’re interested in enrollment strategies, student engagement, or advancing your institution’s tech game, 2025 has plenty of opportunities to inspire and empower.
If you'd like to check a full list of higher education conferences in 2025, you can check it out here.
What are we reading -and listening to- this week?
Book and Podcast Recommendations
This week, we bring to the table some fresh reads and listens that offer practical insights, forward-thinking ideas, and career guidance that’s perfect for career advisors in higher ed.
Books:
"The Start-Up of You" by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha Written by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, this book explores how students (and professionals) can think like entrepreneurs to develop adaptable and resilient career strategies. It’s a refreshing guide to helping students see their career journey as a dynamic, evolving process.
"Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World" by David Epstein In an era of specialists, Epstein makes a powerful case for generalists—those who cultivate a variety of skills and interests. This book is perfect for advising students on how exploring multiple fields and perspectives can enrich their career paths, especially in an evolving job market.
"Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces that Shape Behavior" by Jonah Berger This eye-opening read sheds light on the unconscious influences that shape career decisions. Understanding these subtle forces can help career advisors better guide students in making authentic career choices, free from societal or peer pressures.
Podcasts:
"Coaching for Leaders" with Dave Stachowiak Perfect for career advisors looking to enhance their own coaching skills, this podcast delves into leadership, coaching, and professional growth topics that are highly relevant to helping students step into their careers with confidence.
"The EdSurge Podcast" Covering topics from education innovation to the future of work, this podcast connects higher ed professionals with trends in technology and education. It’s ideal for career advisors aiming to understand how broader shifts in education impact career paths.
"Happen To Your Career" Hosted by Scott Anthony Barlow, this podcast explores unconventional career paths and the many ways to find fulfilling work. Each episode features real-life stories and insights that career advisors can pass along to students looking for inspiration outside the typical career path.
Whether you’re interested in practical coaching tips or looking for ways to broaden your students’ perspectives, these reads and listens will keep your toolkit fresh. Happy reading (and listening)!
Tech
Tech Tools Every Career Service Team Should Know by 2025
2025 is right around the corner, and tech in higher ed is advancing fast, bringing fresh solutions to student engagement, career prep, and campus navigation. This year, career services teams are uniquely positioned to leverage emerging tech to boost student support, connect grads to evolving job markets, and optimize campus experiences. Here are four of the most impactful trends that can help students and career teams alike keep up with the future of work:
1. Digitally Personalized Learning for Career Pathways
Personalized learning is evolving rapidly, offering tailored experiences that align with each student’s career goals. Using data-driven insights, personalized platforms now help students progress at their own pace and cater specifically to their professional needs. For example, at institutions like Arizona State University, students engage with adaptive learning tech and receive personalized coaching to build competencies directly applicable to their chosen career paths. This model shows real promise for career teams, allowing advisors to steer students towards relevant coursework that aligns with real-world skills.
2. AI-Powered Career Matching and Job Readiness
Of course, as we all hear every day, artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming how students prepare for careers, from intelligent tutoring systems that offer tailored feedback to predictive analytics that flag students in need of intervention. Georgia State University has harnessed predictive analytics to help students stay on track with their degrees—boosting graduation rates by 22%. Imagine extending that to career services: AI could analyze students’ skill sets, match them with job openings, and even suggest developmental opportunities, so students are fully prepared for their first day in the workforce.
3. Immersive Learning for Real-World Skill Development
Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) are making career-oriented experiential learning possible. Picture students training in a “virtual office” or solving problems in simulated environments. Case Western Reserve University’s use of VR in anatomy courses shows the potential for immersive learning to make complex topics more accessible. Career services teams can integrate immersive tools into mock interviews, resume-building workshops, or industry-specific training simulations, allowing students to “experience” their careers before they start.
4. Location-Based Intelligence – Campus and Beyond
Navigating large campuses, finding the right building, and even locating career fairs can be challenging, especially for new students. Location-based intelligence tech like Mapsted’s CampusGo, implemented at the University of Windsor, provides turn-by-turn directions, accessible entrances, emergency locations, and event reminders—all based on a student’s location. Beyond campus, these tools help students locate local internships or networking events and even recommend nearby career fairs, creating a seamless transition from education to employment.
In 2025, career teams have the opportunity to harness these tools to elevate career advising, prep students for a tech-savvy job market, and meet evolving employer expectations. Let’s embrace these advancements and get students ready for a future that’s here sooner than we think!
Latest in Career Development
Why Level 7 Apprenticeships Matter for Young Talent
Now we all know that today’s students are searching for career paths that offer growth, advancement, and purpose—and that includes opportunities that go beyond entry-level roles. With the focus from companies on improving productivity and job quality across sectors, the introduction of the “Growth and Skills Levy” in the UK and reshaping of apprenticeship funding have opened up significant opportunities for a more flexible approach to career development. For career advisors, this means new ways to help students reach aspirational career goals—especially when it comes to level 7 apprenticeships, often overlooked as a pathway for young people.
The Growth and Skills Levy, set to replace the existing Apprenticeship Levy in the United Kingdom, offers large employers more flexibility, allowing them to fund a broader range of training beyond traditional apprenticeships. While this flexibility is exciting, the government’s decision to remove some level 7 apprenticeships from the levy has raised concerns, particularly in sectors where advanced apprenticeships are a critical pathway for young professionals, like accountancy. Despite a common misconception, level 7 apprenticeships aren’t just for seasoned professionals. In accountancy, over 70% of level 7 apprentices are under 24, demonstrating that young people are actively pursuing advanced certifications early in their careers.
The “chimney effect” within accountancy firms—a cycle where level 4 learners progress to level 7 roles, creating room for newer apprentices—illustrates the strong progression structure that helps build a robust pipeline of young talent. This structure doesn’t just benefit the apprentices but also the employers who gain a skilled workforce ready for more challenging roles. For example, a school leaver can begin at level 2 or 3 and, within five years, achieve chartered accountant status by age 23. This structured progression pathway creates a dynamic, aspirational environment where young professionals can see a clear route to career success, driving motivation and retention.
Social mobility is another crucial component of level 7 apprenticeships. Data from accountancy programs show that over 80% of level 7 apprentices come from state-funded schools, with more than half from families where neither parent attended university. This diverse intake is breaking down barriers in fields traditionally dominated by more privileged backgrounds, providing students from all walks of life with tangible role models and pathways into high-paying, influential careers. It’s an outcome that supports the government’s goal of economic mobility while also creating a more inclusive workforce.
These developments emphasize the value of promoting apprenticeships—not only as entry-level roles but as viable alternatives to traditional degree routes that offer competitive salaries, job security, and upward mobility. As policies shift worldwide, we have an exciting opportunity to encourage young people to pursue these high-level apprenticeships and build successful careers. Supporting students in exploring these aspirational pathways, especially in fields like accounting, law, and engineering, aligns with our mission to provide career guidance that opens doors and fosters long-term professional growth.
Fun
Best Career Development Meme
Opportunities
Job Opening in Higher Education
Assistant Director for Graduate Career Services - PennState University
Career Advisor - University of Nebraska Lincoln
Career Services Advisor - Volunteer State Community College
Career Advisor - University os Wisconsin
Learn something new
Fun fact of the week
Did you know that CVs date back to the 15th century? One of the earliest recorded instances of a CV came from none other than Leonardo da Vinci! In 1482, da Vinci applied for a job with the Duke of Milan, and to showcase his skills, he wrote a letter outlining his qualifications. In it, he described his talents for building bridges, canals, and weapons (useful skills for a military engineer!). This short, skill-focused document is widely regarded as one of the earliest examples of a CV, marking the start of a tradition that’s evolved for over 500 years.
Fast forward to today, and CVs have certainly come a long way! From intricate Renaissance resumes to digital portfolios, they continue to be a creative platform for showcasing talents. And as CVs continue evolving with tech-driven formats like video and digital profiles, they remind us just how essential it is to adapt to new trends. So, the next time you're advising a student on their resume, just think—they’re following in the footsteps of one of history’s greatest minds!
That's a wrap for this week's The Career Sip. Keep brewing your career development strategies, and we'll be back next week with another steaming cup of higher ed updates.
Stay caffeinated, my friends!
