As higher education continues to evolve, colleges and universities are being called upon to meet modern students’ changing expectations. Today’s learners are no longer primarily driven by a desire to gain knowledge for its own sake; they want to see a clear return on investment (ROI) from their education, largely in the form of career outcomes. At Charter Oak State College, our mission is to foster current and future working professionals’ potential by providing dynamic and industry-relevant online education that advances success in a global society. This focus on both career preparation and affordability allows us to deliver the best student experience possible, as our learners increasingly seek education that directly leads to career stability and growth.
Understanding Career Motivations
To meet student expectations, it is crucial to understand their motivations. According to Strada and Gallup research, 58% of students cite job and career outcomes as their primary reason for pursuing higher education, a data point that cuts across all higher education pathways and demographic subgroups. In contrast, only 23% of students report a general motivation to learn more or gain knowledge without linking it to work or career aspirations. Those motivated by career outcomes are more likely to complete their degrees, while those with more general motivations tend to struggle with completion. This understanding drives how our institution tailors its programs and student services, ensuring we are meeting students where they are and preparing them for the workforce in tangible, meaningful ways.
The Future of Work Initiative
One of the ways we are adapting to this new reality is through our Future of Work initiative, which focuses on the skills graduates need to succeed in a rapidly evolving global workforce. The work landscape is changing, driven by technological advancements, shifting economic paradigms and evolving societal expectations. To navigate this dynamic environment, graduates must possess a robust set of skills that go beyond traditional academic knowledge. These competencies are essential for both professional success and personal growth.
At Charter Oak, we have conducted extensive research into what employers and thought leaders identify as essential future-of-work skills. Through our findings, we’ve distilled these into five critical pillars that form the foundation of the 21st-century workplace and societal success: communication, problem solving, leadership, effective teamwork and digital competency. These pillars are not only vital for immediate workplace success but also for long-term career resilience in a world where job roles are increasingly fluid and technology and innovation continuously disrupt industry.
Our commitment to producing graduates proficient in these skills means embedding these pillars throughout our curricula. We recognize that mastery of these competencies can come from educational experiences both inside and outside the classroom, and we aim to integrate learning opportunities that allow students to practice and demonstrate these skills in real-world scenarios.
Industry-Driven Curricula
In addition to focusing on future-of-work skills, Charter Oak also places a strong emphasis on industry-driven curricula. As the first public college in Connecticut to become a Coursera Career Academy partner, we’re able to infuse our academic offerings with cutting-edge curricula from some of the world’s leading industries. This partnership ensures our students learn the most current and relevant skills directly from the industries they are preparing to enter. Industry-aligned curricula not only enhance our students’ employability but also ensure the education they receive is grounded in the practical demands of today’s workforce.
This partnership reflects our larger strategy of listening to employers and aligning our programs with the skills and knowledge they value most. Whether a student is pursuing a degree in technology, business or healthcare, we aim to provide them with a curriculum that positions them for success in a competitive job market.
Reimagining Career Services
Career services have long been a staple of higher education, but at Charter Oak we believe this function needs to be reimagined to fully meet student expectations. Career services today must go beyond the basics of resume reviews, cover letter assistance and interview preparation. In addition to these essential services, our approach includes deeper involvement from our academic faculty and staff, who are ideally positioned to provide career counseling, professional coaching, internship guidance and postgraduation preparation.
Faculty members are not only subject matter experts but also valuable connectors to industry resources and networks. They can offer individualized guidance to students on how to navigate their career paths, from selecting the right courses to building ePortfolios that showcase workplace skills. ePortfolios are particularly useful for students who may be balancing work, family or other commitments and cannot participate in traditional internships. By documenting their learning and accomplishments in an ePortfolio, these students can still demonstrate their competencies to potential employers, increasing their career prospects.
Data-Informed Program Planning for Career Stability
We recognize that students want more than just a degree; they want a degree that leads to a stable career. Therefore, when we select new programs to offer, we take a data-informed approach, analyzing student demand alongside employment outcomes such as entry-level and median wages, job openings per graduate and the percentage of underemployed graduates. This approach ensures the programs we add are not only popular with students but also have a strong likelihood of leading to sustainable, well-paying careers.
This strategic alignment between academic offerings and workforce needs is one of the ways we support long-term student success. Our goal is to ensure every program we offer helps students achieve their professional aspirations and that their investment in education pays off both immediately after graduation and in the years to come.
Supporting the Online Learner
Given our role as an online college, we’re deeply attuned to the needs of today’s online learners, many of whom are working professionals balancing multiple responsibilities. We have developed a comprehensive suite of student services designed to support these learners at every stage of their journey. These services include 24/7 virtual tutoring, including piloting AI-driven writing support, as well as 24/7 telemental health support. We have even introduced a virtual food pantry for students who may be facing food insecurity, ensuring their basic needs are met while they pursue their education.
Affordability is another cornerstone of our mission. We understand that rising tuition costs are a significant concern for students across the country, which is why we have not raised tuition in three out of the past four years. By keeping tuition stable, our education remains accessible and attainable for all students, regardless of their financial situation.
Conclusion
In today’s rapidly changing world, higher education must be responsive to modern students’ needs and expectations. At Charter Oak State College, we are committed to providing an affordable, high-quality education that equips students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers and beyond. By focusing on career-driven motivations, future-of-work skills, industry-aligned curricula and comprehensive student support services, we deliver a student experience that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of today’s learners. As higher education continues to evolve, we remain dedicated to advancing the success of working professionals through dynamic, relevant and impactful education.
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