Abstract

Career support does more than break down barriers; it enhances feelings of belonging, uncovers hidden curricula, and leads to paid internships and long-term career success. Career support helps to retain students, clarifies the value of one's education, and increases feelings of support from one's college or university. This panel presentation explores strategies for incorporating career competencies within discipline-specific curricula. With a focus on practice, panel members discuss ongoing interdisciplinary collaborative efforts and unique approaches to incorporate career competencies into their respective curricula. In doing so, barriers are broken down, and students gain opportunities for a greater sense of belonging. Given the social responsibility of educators at a large Hispanic-Serving (HSI) University, panel members are incredibly passionate about helping ensure all students thrive academically and within their chosen career field. The panel discussion will highlight immediate and tangible actions individuals, departments, and colleges can employ depending on their timeline and available resources.

Keywords: belonging, career readiness, career competencies

How to Cite:

Muraco, J. A., Ball, C. M. & Willis, S. L., (2025) “Bridging the Gap: Career Competencies as Keys to Student Belonging”, Teaching and Learning Conference Proceedings 1(1).

Accompanying TLC Presentation Video