Date Approved

4-27-2026

Graduate Degree Type

Project

Degree Name

Education-Higher Education (M.Ed.)

Degree Program

Education Leadership & Counseling

First Advisor

Karyn E. Rabourn

Academic Year

2025/2026

Abstract

With a growing concern about the value of higher education, higher education institutions need to adapt to the evolving career needs of students. With the frequent interactions academic advisors have with students, advisors are uniquely positioned to help student align their academic and career plans. However, literature reveals that many academic advisors struggle to have career conversations with students due to a lack of confidence and time with students. Furthermore, the literature illustrates the importance of integrating academic and career advising because it provides students with holistic support that better supports their needs. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to examine the relation of academic advising and career development, as well as to explore ways to better support academic advisors adapting to ever-changing student needs. Based on the identified challenges academic advisors face when supporting students, this project suggests the implementation of a professional development training series for academic advisors to increase their confidence and knowledge of sharing career-related information in student appointments. The professional development training series will give academic advisors the tools required to successfully integrate career conversations into appointments and provide students with well-rounded support.

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