Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program/Concentration

Community College Leadership

Committee Director

James Bartlett, II

Committee Member

Michelle Bartlett

Committee Member

Adam Atwell

Abstract

In an era of rapid workforce transformation and increasing demand for postsecondary career readiness, community college career advisors play a critical role in supporting students’ economic mobility and informed career decision-making. Traditional academic advising, which primarily focuses on course registration and degree completion, may not fully address students’ evolving career development needs. This study employed Q methodology to examine the subjective viewpoints of career advisors in North Carolina community colleges regarding strategies to enhance students’ career outcomes. Grounded in human capital theory and career construction theory, the study investigated how advisors integrate labor market data, wage trends, and workforce expectations into their advising practices. A 55-item Q sample was developed through a comprehensive review of literature on academic advising, career counseling, and workforce development. Participants sorted the statements using a forced distribution Q-sort, and factor analysis identified five distinct advising perspectives: Student Centered Career Advising, Data-Driven Career Advising, Workforce-Aligned Career Advising, Skills-Driven Career Advising, and Personalized and Flexible Career Advising. These perspectives varied in their emphasis on labor market alignment, transferable skill development, and individualized student support. The findings highlight the multidimensional nature of career advising and document the diverse strategies advisors use to prepare students for employment and long-term career planning. The results have implications for institutional policy, advisor training, and workforce development, and offer direction for future research exploring long-term advising outcomes.

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DOI

10.25777/aq7e-qr36

ISBN

9798280752634

ORCID

0009-0002-7029-1213

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