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Find my academic tribe...new ACT report on persistence...humor...
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In this issue of The Free Agent

Find my (academic) tribe 
Research you can use...
Career Key news
Humor
Free downloads and cool links

Adding “Find My [Academic] Tribe” to the High School Student Checklist


It’s hard to believe in August the college application process starts. And as you’re looking over your lesson plans and materials for the fall, is “choosing a college major or training program” on your high school students' checklist? Identifying a student’s compatible academic “tribe” or college major environment is just as important as FAFSA and the other application deadlines. Because if a student doesn’t choose a program that matches their Holland personality, no matter the college or financial aid package, research shows it's more likely to be a costly mistake.
 
You may not have the time for much in depth discussion with students about majors, but even one activity (like the 10-15 minute Career Key test and/or a group “party game”) that makes students aware of their compatible Holland college major environments can help. 
 
Research shows when students find the right academic “tribe” or college major environment, they are more likely to get higher grades, persist in their major and graduate on time.  It just makes sense a student will be more motivated and comfortable with the professors, teachers and fellow students that share similar learning approaches, interests, values, and skills.  We know you and your students have a lot on your lists – but hopefully finding one’s tribe will be more fun than figuring out the FAFSA!

Research you can use...

A brand new ACT College Choice Report is out on persistence and transfer for the ACT-tested high school graduating class of 2013. Again, findings reinforce that students are more likely to succeed in college when their major fits their Holland personality and interests. Recommendations for professionals include:
Colleges who are recruiting students:
  • Consider the degree of Personality-Major Match (what ACT refers to as Interest-Major Fit) to better identify recruits for specific majors
  • Use students’ personality-major matches to provide undecided students about programs that might fit them
After students enroll in college:
  • Guide students toward college majors that are a better match, identifying those with advising needs
  • Consider different advising strategies for high-achieving and low-achieving students because of their differing levels of certainty about major choice and how well those choices match their personality.
Visit ACT's research page to learn more and download the report.

Career Key News

We’re proud to have sponsored the Naviance Summer Institute (NSI) 2015 in Tuscon, AZ July 6 – 9! (see photo above) If you’re one of thousands of school districts nationwide using the Naviance college and career readiness platform, you’ve got the option to add Career Key to your package. It was fantastic to meet hundreds of middle and high school counselors, talking about what works in engaging students in college and career planning. We also released a new infographic there on ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors covered by Career Key that I'll be posting on our site this month and next month's newsletter.
 
Also in July, we’re enhancing website security, installing new GeoTrust SSL Certificates on both the Career Key and Self-Employment websites.
 
Continuing to grow globally….We’re pleased to announce new corporate partners in Australia (CareerHQ) and in Vietnam (TigerMom Education Co. Ltd.). We’ll share their links soon!
 

Humor

Courtesy of "real" news outlet The Onion this month:
Top Summer Internships for 2015
Economists Warn New Graduates May Have to Tough It Out For 5-6 Weeks Before Landing Dream Job
 

Free Downloads and Cool Links

ACT College Choice Report on Persistence and Transfer, Part 3 (2015) - PDF

Best Posts & Articles on Motivating Students

Interesting USDOL Career Outlook articles (formerly known as the Occupational Outlook Quarterly):
Working with Animals
Careers for Creative People
Clusters, pathways and labor market information
Difference between wages for the same occupation – explained

Anxiety has surpassed depression as the most common mental health diagnosis among college students. (Wellness Blog, New York Times, May 27, 2015)
 
The Free Agent
July 2015 

Career Key's monthly e-Newsletter for counselors and career/college advising professionals about careers, education choices, and job skills.

Help us create more "free agents" in the world of work!

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Editor: Juliet Wehr Jones, GCDF, J.D., VP, Career Key

We welcome your feedback!

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Free PDF eBook @ Personality-Major Match & the research
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