#210 From College First to Career Fit: How College and Career Clarity Has Evolved

Flourish Coaching

Jan 20, 2026

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 career options are on the rise and why community support matters now more than ever.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why College and Career Clarity originally focused on college, and what prompted a thoughtful shift toward career fit
How “college capable” does not always mean “college aligned” and why that distinction matters more than ever
What it means to begin with the end in mind by leading with career fit instead of default pathways
How focusing on fit and alignment reduces pressure and emotional overwhelm for families

Key Takeaways:

Many college-capable teens are opting for alternative paths because college no longer guarantees alignment or meaningful career fit.
Reverse-engineering career fit before choosing a pathway reduces emotional pressure for families and improves long-term outcomes.
Post-COVID families and schools increasingly seek structure without pressure, honest conversations, and community-based support rather than independent decision-making.
Lisa plans to introduce more solo episodes, shorter formats, and ongoing touchpoints so listeners can engage more personally, gain clarity at their own pace, and feel supported rather than isolated during a challenging season for teens and young adults.

“College does still matter, but see, here’s what I am seeing: a growing number of families within our community, that ability, college ability, college aptitude, doesn’t equal alignment.” – Lisa Marker-Robbins

Episode References:

Is a College Degree Worth It?: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/is-a-college-degree-worth-it-f7753b32
Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You by Jeffrey Selingo: https://www.amazon.com/Dream-School-Finding-College-Thats/dp/1668056208
Join the newsletter to get weekly clarity tools, insights, and family conversation prompts straight to your inbox: flourishcoachingco.com/newsletter

Get Lisa’s Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career…(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret).

flourishcoachingco.com/video