Claim OwnershipCollege and Career Clarity
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If you are overwhelmed with the college-bound journey, confused by how much things have changed, or frustrated by having more questions than answers, then College and Career Clarity is the compass you need, when you need it most. Weekly episodes with Lisa Marker-Robbins and her guests provide families with strategic guidance to resource your student to make informed choices that align with their passions, purpose, and potential future. You’ll be informed to be able to have intentional & productive family conversations grounded in guidance and broken into actionable steps to move from overwhelmed and confused to motivated, clear, and confident about your teen’s future.
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Lisa Marker Robbins has spent decades helping young people navigate the messy space between high school and career, and she’s seen that landscape shift. College still matters, but alignment matters more than ever—and families increasingly want a steady strategy, not just more information. In this episode, Lisa makes the case for a career-first approach and shows how clarity can reduce pressure, calm households, and open more meaningful pathways. Her practical insights explain why diverse care...
In this episode, Lisa and JJ discuss: Rethinking post-high school pathways and expanding what counts as a successful career beyond the traditional four-year college pathThe role of curiosity, exposure, and hands-on experiences in meaningful career explorationThe growing need for skilled and technical workers across multiple industriesSupporting young people in finding aligned career paths without stigma or judgment Key Takeaways: Parents and educators can use the same exploration tactic...
In this episode, Lisa and Annie discuss: Career planning when chronic health conditions or physical disabilities affect daily functioningSelf-advocacy and accommodations across education, training, and employmentAligning career choices with realistic capacity and long-term sustainabilityUsing real-world experiences and conversations to validate career fit Key Takeaways: College provides a structured environment where students can learn to articulate how their condition affects them, pra...
In this episode, Lisa and Rick discuss: How a student’s choice of future intended major impacts their college admissions chancesThe role of holistic review in determining “Fit To Major” (FTM)The challenges students face when trying to change majors after admissionWhy flexibility is essential in the college application process Key Takeaways: Colleges often evaluate whether a student’s academic choices and extracurricular activities align with their intended major, so applying without evi...
In this episode, Lisa and Brian discuss: Strategies for maximizing college scholarships given by the institutionsThe difference in merit vs. need-based financial aidThe role of GPA and standardized testing, ACT, and SAT, in scholarship awardsColleges with merit scholarship grids where students can know the amount they can earn for good grades and scoresTransparency of college financial aid policies Key Takeaways: Merit aid is often more predictable than need-based aid because many colle...
In this episode, Lisa and Amy discuss: Identifying personality traits, interests, and work styles for career explorationFactors influencing long-term career satisfaction and professional fulfillmentThe research and validation behind data-driven career assessmentsThe relationship between career clarity, education choices, and financial outcomes Key Takeaways: The Birkman Assessment identifies career matches by analyzing multiple personality dimensions—not just interests but also work st...
In this episode, Lisa and Jackie discuss: How personal storytelling shapes identity and confidence in young peopleThe role of a signature talk in strengthening communication and self-awarenessUsing life experiences to build clarity and purposeThe way real-life opportunities and service experiences help youth grow passions and purpose Key Takeaways: Young people learn their core values and purpose by identifying the message they would share if given five minutes to speak to the world, s...
In this episode, Lisa and Andrea discuss: Navigating family dynamics when college students return home for holidays and extended breaksBalancing student independence with household expectations during time at homeCommunicating effectively with teens and college students to reduce conflict around schedules, curfews, and responsibilitiesSupporting student identity development and deeper conversations during the transition home Key Takeaways: Parents should set expectations early—before th...
In this episode, Lisa and Kami discuss: How curiosity shapes the development of lifelong learners who can adapt and grow over timeWhy box-checking habits weaken authentic engagement with learningWhat project-based learning offers as a bridge between interests and academicsThe role family culture plays in nurturing natural curiosity and supporting ongoing personal growth Key Takeaways: Box-checking driven by grades and pressure drains curiosity and leaves young people unprepared for real...
In this episode, Lisa and Ethan discuss: Managing setbacks and academic struggles in demanding college programsThe importance of resilience, networking, and real-world experience in career developmentHow communication and soft skills enhance technical education and employabilityNavigating college, internships, and professional growth with persistence and adaptability Key Takeaways: When traditional learning methods don’t meet your needs, explore alternative or online options—Ethan impr...
Two hundred episodes strong—and this celebration goes deeper than a milestone. Lisa Marker-Robbins is joined by Vicki Weisbrod and Kayla Lane for an honest, energizing conversation about what’s really holding young people back and how you can help them move forward with clarity and confidence. You’ll leave inspired, recharged, and ready to guide the next generation toward purpose and possibility. In this episode, Lisa, Vicki, and Kayla discuss: The emotional push and pull between parents and...
In this episode, Lisa and Stephen discuss: How to turn a passion for sports into a career off the fieldBuilding connections that open doors and gain experiences through sports internshipsWhat roles are in high demand in the sports and entertainment ecosystemBalancing passion, education, and hustle Key Takeaways: Careers in sports extend far past the playing field, including roles in marketing, analytics, media, and sponsorships. Exploring these options early helps uncover where passion ...
In this episode, Lisa, Dave, and Mike discuss: How career direction and college major alignment influence scholarship successThe role of personal narrative and authenticity in admissions and financial aidStrategies for early scholarship searching and intentional college preparationHow real-world experiences and self-awareness shape stronger college and scholarship applications Key Takeaways: When applying for scholarships, students with a clear personal narrative tied to their future ma...
In this episode, Lisa and Anita discuss: The growing trend of students choosing business as a “default” or undecided majorThe value of real-world work experiences for high school and college students exploring businessWhat competitive business school admissions officers truly look for beyond academicsHow reflection, course choices, and extracurriculars shape clarity and college readiness for business majors Key Takeaways: Students should pursue any kind of job or small business experien...
In this episode, Lisa and Christine discuss: Shifting hiring timelines and employer decision-making in today’s job marketGrowing importance of skills-based hiring and micro-internshipsInfluence of artificial intelligence on entry-level roles and required skillsContinued power of networking and accessing the hidden job market Key Takeaways: The average job search now takes three to six months, as companies add more interview rounds and assessments before extending offers.Skills-first hir...
In this episode, Lisa and Brooke discuss: The role of modern manners in building confidence and career readinessHow social, physical, and relationship etiquette shape professional connectionsStrategies for networking, job shadows, and informational interviewsThe influence of parents, mentors, and micro-habits in developing these skills Key Takeaways: Students should use simple conversation techniques—like making an observation and asking a question, or “throwing the ball back”—to create...
In this episode, Lisa, Dr. Gangelhoff, Dr. Alaina, and Melissa discuss: Shifts in the music industry and its evolving futureEducational pathways for aspiring musiciansBuilding independence, resilience, and clarity for young creativesFamily roles and perspectives in supporting artistic career choices Key Takeaways: Parents’ fears often stem from only imagining extremes—either starving artists or Grammy winners—yet most successful musicians build stable, thriving lives between those two p...
In this episode, Lisa and Ilana discuss: Mother-daughter dynamics in shaping career confidence and identityThe unconscious transmission of attitudes about work, relationships, and self-worthNavigating the tension between supporting and controlling children’s career pathsThe role of self-awareness and open conversation in healthy career development Key Takeaways: Daughters absorb far more from how mothers navigate work, relationships, and confidence than from the advice they are given o...
In this episode, Lisa and Dave discuss: Strategies for applying to scholarships throughout all four years of high schoolBuilding and refining a personal narrative that connects past experiences to future goalsThe role of family involvement and culture in long-term scholarship successNational, local, and organizational scholarship opportunities are available at different grade levels Key Takeaways: Students should begin applying for scholarships as early as freshman year, even if it’s on...
In this episode, Lisa, Dr. Corbin, and Catie discuss: Mentorship as a driver of growth and opportunityThe mutual responsibilities within mentor–mentee relationshipsEarly guidance shaping confidence and career directionPaying forward lessons learned through mentoring others Key Takeaways: Mentorship offers students personalized support, creating opportunities that money alone cannot provide.Advocating for oneself and asking for help early—whether in high school classrooms or college —can...
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