Why College-to-Career Coaching Could Be the Best Investment You Make in College

Getting a degree today doesn’t guarantee a smooth path into your dream job. 

In fact, graduating often feels like standing at a cliff’s edge — diploma in hand, unsure which way to jump. It’s not because you didn’t work hard. It’s because the job market has shifted, and the rules of the game have changed significantly.  

That’s why college-to-career coaching is no longer something “extra.” It’s something essential to help you create a smoother pathway from your college years to your career launch.

A Degree Isn’t a Career Strategy

For decades, students were told that a degree was the key to success. But now, the landscape is more competitive, more tech-driven, and more unpredictable than ever.

Many companies are hiring fewer entry-level employees. Some are even skipping campus recruiting altogether. 

Thanks to automation, AI, and tighter budgets, employers are looking for people who already know how to navigate work — people who have experience, know what they’re good at, and can clearly communicate their value.

Unfortunately, most students are left to figure that out on their own.

A recent report found that even as corporate profits and productivity rise, employers are pulling back on hiring entry-level workers, creating what some call a “graduate glut” (Fuller et al., 2024). Even high-performing students are graduating into underemployment or career confusion.

Not because they lack potential, but because they haven’t had the chance to build their story, experience, or plan.

The Missing Piece: Intentional Career Design

Here’s the truth most people don’t say out loud: college doesn’t teach you how to get hired. 

Sure, you pick a major. Maybe you attend a resume workshop or meet with a career advisor once. Maybe you even have an awesome advisor or parent who will spend a little extra time with you to help you with thinking about your career.

But for many students, there’s no structured process for figuring out what kind of work aligns with your strengths, values, and goals — or how to build the experiences and brand to back it up.

That’s where college-to-career coaching comes in.

Think of it as your personal strategy lab: a way to clarify who you are, design a path that fits, and launch your next chapter with clarity and confidence.

At NextReady Studio, we use a simple framework: Clarify, Craft, and Launch.

• Clarify: We help you get clear on your values, motivators, and the kind of environment you thrive in — not just what sounds impressive on paper.

• Craft: You’ll explore options, identify gaps, and start building a personal brand that feels true to you — resume, LinkedIn, elevator pitch, the works.

• Launch: You’ll leave with a real roadmap and a polished, professional presence so you’re not just job searching — you’re job-ready.

This kind of coaching is NOT about telling you what to do.

It helps you build a system for making some of the most important decisions of your life — and taking action, one step at a time.

Why This Matters Before You Graduate

A lot of college students wait until senior year to start thinking seriously about their career — right when everything else is also happening: finals, internships, graduation. By then, it’s often too late to build the kind of portfolio or network that stands out.

Instead, imagine starting earlier, even as a freshman or sophomore. You could:

• Try out career experiments (short gigs, interviews, projects)

• Build out a portfolio of real work

• Create a story that connects your experiences to what you want next

• Walk into interviews already knowing what kind of work is a fit — and why

That’s not just better for your resume. It’s better for your confidence.

Young college graduate looking for a job.

What Employers Actually Want

The most valuable skills right now aren’t just technical. They’re what researchers call durable skills—things like communication, adaptability, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking (Education at Work, 2025).

These are the skills that don’t go out of style and can be applied to any industry. But you don’t master them by accident. You build them through real-world practice, reflection, and feedback.

That’s exactly what intentional college-to-career coaching supports.

The Difference Between Getting Hired vs. Being Ready

The goal isn’t to cram your resume with buzzwords. The goal is to know your value and how to show it.

That means:

• Understanding what you bring to the table

• Being able to talk about it with clarity and confidence

• Having actual proof — projects, internships, results — that back it up

• Presenting yourself in a way that makes employers take notice

You can’t rely on GPA or a “pretty good” cover letter anymore. Standing out takes strategy, intentionality — and support.

Is College-to-Career Coaching Worth It?

The short answer? Yes. Career coaching pays off in a lot of ways:

• It helps you land roles that are a better fit (and often better paid)

• It shortens the job search process

• It reduces the anxiety and overwhelm that comes with “figuring it out alone”

• It helps you avoid the trap of settling for a job that leads nowhere

Even one great offer can make the investment worth it. But more importantly, it sets you up with a way of thinking that you’ll use again and again throughout your career.

The Bottom Line

College gives you knowledge, skills, and competencies that will be a valuable foundation what comes next. But Coaching helps you turn that into momentum.

If you’re unsure what’s next, feeling like you’re behind, or just want to be proactive, don’t wait until graduation. 

Get support now. Build the skills and presence you need to stand out. Your future isn’t just something you land. It’s something you design.

With you every step,

Dr. Gina Wilt

College & Career Success Coach | NextReady Studio

For students (and parents too!): Get NextReady Daily with simple daily actions to stay organized, motivated, accountable, reduce stress, and build toward ongoing, sustained college success!

References

Education at Work. (2025, May 22). Top 5 durable skills to master before graduating. https://eaw.org/top-5-durable-skills-to-master-before-graduating/

Fuller, J., Restuccia, D., & Muro, M. (2024, July). No country for young grads: Why recent college graduates are increasingly at risk in today’s labor market. Burning Glass Institute and Brookings Metro. https://www.burning-glass.com/no-country-for-young-grads/