In a national freshman survey, eight in 10 students said improving their chances of getting a better job was very important in their decision to go to college. But intent doesn’t always translate to reality.


One analysis found that while most first-year students say they plan to engage in career-planning activities, by the time they are seniors, less than a third have used career-office resources beyond résumé reviews.


The First-Year Experience examines how colleges are trying to close these gaps, using first-year programs to introduce students to career planning. With this report, you’ll learn what colleges are doing to support student success in the first year and beyond.

  • Understand the needs of different student populations, including first-generation, adult, commuter, and online students.
  • Get ideas for your own college from experts at 2- and 4-year institutions.
  • Learn about the essential elements of first-year seminars, learning communities, and academic support.
  • Find out how to help students interact more with peers, including those of different backgrounds and beliefs.