Online Mode Works For Career Exploration – Just Ask Students!
When we started Couragion in 2015, we opted to implement an online app because of our mission to make career exploration available to all regardless of their geographic location, economic status, demographics, or access to industry and role models. Little did we know how important online career exploration would become in 2020 as schools grapple with remote learning and the inability to have in-person guest speakers, field trips, job shadows, internships, etc.
As 2020 marches on, there seems to be an abundance of news focused on the downsides of online learning. However, after nearly six years of experience in delivering online career exploration, I can say that virtual learning modes offer amazing benefits.
In fact, the student comments made within our app illuminate the benefits very nicely. Consider these student comments, made in just the last two months as schools and educators used Couragion to replace in-person learning and internship experiences…
One student cited the convenience and accessibility of online career exploration:
“Very nice. I can pet my dog with one hand and do career exploration with the other. Thank you for showing a real-life example and not just generalizing.”
Several students mentioned the benefit of learning about careers (or aspects of a career) that they hadn’t known about previously:
“Never thought about this career before, but now it sounds great.”
“This was really interesting! I didn't realize all that went into being a Director of Horticulture.”
“Getting a closer look at this career was interesting to me. I’ve been thinking about getting a job in the technology field for a while now, so it was cool to see what it’s like.”
“This gave me an eye opening on what this type of career offers and I really think I might look into it.”
“I like the video. It was really cool and it kind of persuaded me to become a bank person.”
“It was cool learning about this career!”
“I just learned about a new career.”
“This was an interesting way to tap into the life of a Physician Assistant.”
While other students commented about their ability to easily use Couragion’s virtual career exploration to compare a given career to their own interests and values:
“This job looked like it would be a good fit for me, because not only am I willing to help others but my computer skills would make this an ideal job for me.”
“This sounds fun, it has the engineering aspect and the coding aspect and I like both of those.”
“This will be a great fit for me because I love painting and using tools.”
“I think it would be really fun to design different skis for each season and stuff. I think that I would like a little more traveling aspect into it. A graphic designer is now my 2nd choice for a job.”
“Working in aviation is very acceptable for me. I really enjoy fixing stuff. And making stuff safer would be an interest of mine.”
“This career seems very interesting to me, and I think I would love running experiments. Working in a lab is a goal of mine, it is where I see myself in the future.”
While not an exhaustive list of the benefits of online career exploration, the student comments shared above demonstrate the positive aspects of virtual learning.
How have your students benefited from remote learning? How have you pivoted your career exploration in light of the current pandemic? Share your insights with us via email at info@couragion.com. And, if you are interested in implementing online career exploration, consider Couragion. Our app offers unique benefits such as inclusion of diverse career role models, incorporation of work-based learning experiences, and integration of pathway planning resources.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1660021. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.