As parents, we often worry about how our student will fare in college. But college is just a stepping-stone to the rest of their lives. In this episode Vicki and Lynn discuss the results of a poll conducted by Perdue University and Gallup Inc. that identified six factors that influence graduates’ well-being after college. While colleges have a role in providing these experiences, we emphasized the student’s role in in taking specific actions while in college that will increase their engagement and well-being after graduation.

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In this episode Lynn and Vicki discussed a study, conducted by Purdue University and Gallup, Inc. that look at the relationship between college experiences and college graduates’ lives post-graduation. The poll included 30,000 recent college graduates and examined workplace engagement and the graduates’ sense of well-being. The researchers then looked at what factors from the graduates’ life in college might influence well-being.

The six factors that emerged were interesting and we suggested that parents talk to their students about ways in which they can increase the likelihood that they will have these experiences.

Here are the statements used in the study. Graduates who responded positively to these statements had a greater chance of experiencing strong workplace engagement and well-being.

(Support)

I had at least one professor at [college] who made me excited about learning.

My professors at [college] cared about me as a person.

I had a mentor who encouraged me to pursue my goals and dreams.

(Experiential)

I worked on a project that took a semester or more to complete.

I had an internship or job that allowed me to apply what I was learning in the classroom.

I was extremely active in extracurricular activities and organizations while attending [college].

If you’d like to go straight to the source, you can access the original study at https://www.gallup.com/poll/168848/life-college-matters-life-college.aspx

If you like some further reading about some of the topics we discussed in this episode, check out these articles:

Help Your Student Get Started Talking to Professors

Are Extracurricular Activities Really Extra? Why Your Student Should Participate

Why Your Student Should Consider an Internship

Who’s Advising My Student About Academic Issues?

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