Career support and development are essential to student success beyond the classroom. Research institutions offering this kind of support prepare students for satisfying careers. Higher education professionals must understand what career services are and why they are essential to their students. Career services are a long-term investment that greatly benefits institutions. Identification of value and benefits will occur after the completion of this module.

Career services are a mechanism of support to students outside the classroom. Career services exist on many campuses to assist students through their career exploration. Its function is to help students as a parallel between the school and career setting. Institutions offer this critical service to prepare students for the transition of their academic skills to the workforce arena and to meet future employers' needs. 

As a mechanism, career services typically provide programs and assistance that give students competitive value when entering the workforce. Programs and assistances usually include:

• Career exploration options.

• Personal development opportunities (i.e., soft skills).

• Internship and job assistance.

• Alternative credentials like certificates.

These services are invaluable to students and their success post-graduation. That is why career services are so important. 

Higher education institutions offer many services. However, career services tend to receive less attention and must be more utilized than other services. According to Forbes, "Graduates who rate their experiences with career services as "very helpful" are 5.8x more likely to strongly agree their alma mater prepared them for post-collegiate life, nearly 3x more likely to strongly agree their education was worth the cost and 3.4x more likely to recommend their alma mater." Additionally, students who report having positive experiences with their career services are 3x more likely to make a financial donation to their institution after graduation. 

Career services are essential not only to student success beyond the classroom but also to the institution. Career services should be adequately developed and utilized for the betterment of the institution.

Career support is essential to student success beyond the classroom. Career support should come not only from professional career support specialists but also from university faculty. Shared priority is critical for students' career readiness, as this support combines students' goals both academically and professionally. In short, institutions that offer professional support and services are preparing their students for career success. 

Here are three benefits that encompass career service's importance and values:

Dey, F., & Cruzvergara, C. Y. (2014). Evolution of career services in higher education. New directions for student services, 2014(148), 5-18.

Shea R. and Baghirova N. (2009). "Section VII: Higher Education Student Affairs and Services in Post-Conflict/Post-disaster Countries: Laying a Foundation for the Future" in Student affairs and services in higher education: Global foundations, issues and best practices. International Association of Student Affairs and Services (IASAS). 80-81. 

Snedaker M. (n.d.). The Importance of Career Services in Today's Colleges and Universities. https://resources.franklincovey.com/higher-ed/the-importance-of-career-services-in-today-s-colleges-and-universities#:~:text=Career%20services%20can%20help%20students,finding%20a%20job%20post%2Dgraduation.

VanDerziel S. (2022). The Value of Career Services. https://www.naceweb.org/career-development/organizational-structure/the-value-of-career-services/

N.A. (2016). Career Services Offices: Office Structure and Organizational Division https://www.naceweb.org/career-development/organizational-structure/career-services-offices-office-structure-and-organizational-division/).