Scaling Career Services with Science-Backed Guidance: Key Takeaways from Our Webinar

Scaling Career Services with Science-Backed Guidance: Key Takeaways from Our Webinar

For institutions looking to enhance career support, now is the time to embrace science-backed, technology-driven solutions to better serve students and improve outcomes.

Career services teams are facing growing pressure to support more students with limited resources. In our recent webinar, Dr. Bryan Dik, professor of psychology at Colorado State University and co-creator of PathwayU, joined Keesa Sung, AVP of Product & Customer Marketing at PeopleGrove, to discuss how science-backed career guidance can scale personalized support, helping students make informed academic and career decisions.

Why Early Career Intervention Matters

Data shows that students who receive career counseling are 2.6 times more likely to be employed after graduation than those who do not. Additionally, declaring a major early is linked to higher graduation rates—but it’s not just about choosing a major. Readiness, institutional support, and career alignment all play crucial roles in student success.

The Role of Technology in Scaling Career Services

Many institutions struggle to provide one-on-one career guidance due to high student-to-career-counselor ratios. That’s where technology-driven career guidance comes in. Platforms that integrate evidence-based career interventions see a 30% increase in student engagement compared to traditional career centers.

What Works in Career Guidance?

Decades of research, including meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, highlight five key elements of effective career interventions:

• Written goal-setting exercises to help students articulate career aspirations
• Individualized interpretation and feedback through validated career assessments
• Accurate, up-to-date occupational information to guide informed decision-making
• Support networks that include mentors, advisors, and peers
• Career role models to help students visualize success

How PathwayU Supports Scalable, Evidence-Based Career Guidance

PathwayU is an online career guidance platform designed to provide students with scientifically supported assessments of interests, values, personality, and workplace preferences. By delivering personalized career insights and job matching, institutions can offer scalable support while driving deeper engagement with career services.

Want to explore strategies for scaling career services effectively?

Explore PeopleGrove’s career assessment platform here.

Discover how PeopleGrove can help your institution with science-backed technology. Contact us today for a personalized consultation.