As an academic success coach, I lament being unable to reach certain students—often those who need me most. Even this early in the semester, I can identify students who will make the most of my services and those who will view academic success as another “to do” item. When discussing my ability to reach students with someone recently, I had a lightbulb moment.
The person analogized my services to a law school placement office. The placement office has a talented staff with great insights into skills like building and crafting a resume, writing a cover letter, networking, interviewing, and landing a job, among other things. The “success” of the placement office is based largely on students and graduates finding meaningful and lasting legal employment. Thus, the placement office staff truly has a vested interest in helping students succeed.
Yet sometimes students choose to forgo the services of the placement office when looking for employment. These students ask more senior students for advice. They ask other professors. They often ask me because I’ve had some twenty years in practice. It puzzles me why students seek my advice in lieu of the expert advice from the placement office. But I realize it isn’t wrong. After all, there isn’t one perfect way to develop as a professional.
The point is that seemingly small choices that students make profoundly impact their overall success and career trajectory. This is true whether it is choosing to attend a resume review session in the placement office or a skills coaching session with me. Although I’d like all students to see the value in becoming critical thinkers and learners, it is ultimately up to them to make the most of my services. I urge students to take a look at their daily choices and realize how powerful they are. Indeed, the students hold the key to their success. I just hold the door open after they’ve chosen to walk through it.