Student Affairs Professionals

College is the time for students to discover who they are and what their purpose in life is. Professionals in higher education most often than not, encourage undergraduate students to gain as much experience as much as possible. Lent, Brown, and Hackett (1994), says new experiences play a significant role because it is the first stage to boost the career development process. Through these experience students can gain skills and knowledge about themselves, to bring to any future job. In the higher education, student affairs professionals play a role in assisting students to attain these transferrable skills and employable traits through enriched learning opportunities: volunteering, part-time work, mentored research, internships, study abroad, student involvement, and leadership experiences. These skills, traits, and experiences will help students discover what is possible and how they can benefit a potential employer. Providing resources and guidance, such as an advisor or career counselor would do, will also help students develop realistic goals.
Applying planned happenstance to help students develop traits and skills and have experiences that will eventually make them desirable candidates in the competitive job market. By helping the student process and make meaning of these experiences and skills, the advisor directs the student toward decision-making when “chance” opportunities arise. Betsworth & Hansen (1996) mentions how most people agree that chance has played a large part in their career choices and how the academic interest in the effects of unplanned events on career decision making and development has increased (p.