College and Career Clarity

Lisa Marker Robbins
  • 4.9 (32)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

If you’re the parent of a 15 to 25-year-old and you’re worried they don’t have a clear direction for what comes next, you’re not alone. Too many young people are asked to make big decisions about their future without a process to figure out what actually fits. When they guess, wait, or follow the wrong advice, it often leads to wasted time, lost momentum, and frustration. College and Career Clarity helps families prepare their teen or young adult to launch into adulthood with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Lisa Marker-Robbins, a career coach with over 30 years of experience, this podcast focuses on what actually leads to a successful launch: building self-awareness, exploring options, and validating the right path before making high-stakes decisions. You’ll learn: • How to help your teen or young adult build real direction before choosing what’s next • How to avoid common missteps that leave young people stuck, starting over, or lacking confidence  • What it actually takes to move forward with clarity, confidence, and traction Whether your teen or young adult is planning for what comes after high school, navigating college, or already out and trying to find their path, this podcast will give you a clearer way forward.

  1. 3d ago

    How Families Eliminate the Best Career Fits Too Soon

    Many families eliminate strong career options long before a student has enough information to make a confident decision. In this solo episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins challenges the belief that career planning should follow one clear, predictable path and introduces a broader way to think about career exploration. Drawing on years of coaching families and the Birkman Method, Lisa explains why students often eliminate promising career options too early. Through her daughter Sydney's path from considering teaching and therapy to finding a career in sales, she shows how looking beyond job titles can lead to stronger career decisions. In this episode, you’ll discover: The limitations of viewing career planning as a single, linear pathCareer ecosystems and the value of exploring overlapping job familiesBetter questions that lead to stronger career conversations and decisionsUsing self-awareness, values, and career assessments to uncover unexpected career fits Key Takeaways:  Instead of ruling out an entire career path, pay attention to the responsibilities, work environment, and values that feel like a good fit, then use those patterns to explore related roles.Replace conversations about choosing the "right" career with questions about what feels energizing, what feels draining, and which environments and values stand out.Sydney's career exploration shows how combining the Birkman assessment with academic strengths, aptitudes, and personal values can reveal career fits that aren't obvious from an initial list of matches, ultimately leading her to a career in sales.Start with job families to narrow the field, then explore where different career areas overlap to uncover opportunities that traditional, linear career planning often misses.  “The first one of the big mistakes we make is trying to put our kids into a box on a linear path.” – Lisa Marker-Robbins Episode References: Job Families Sample with Birkman Report: https://flourishcoachingco.com/jobsLearn more about Launch Career Clarity at https://flourishcoachingco.com/courseSample Birkman Report Available at: https://flourishcoachingco.com/birkman#059 Career Close-Up: Accounting Doesn’t Have to be Boring with Jim Vogt https://flourishcoachingco.com/059#235 The Career Lens Most Parents Never Consider https://flourishcoachingco.com/235 Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: THE CAREER IDENTIFICATION COMPASS: How To Be Certain Your 15 To 25 Year Old is On The Right Path to Launch With Confidence–Not Confusion: flourishcoachingco.com/video  Connect with Lisa: Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

    How Families Eliminate the Best Career Fits Too Soon

  2. Jul 14

    The Career Lens Most Parents Never Consider

    Helping a young person choose a career starts with asking better questions, not having every answer. In this solo episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins challenges the common ways families approach career planning and introduces a fresh perspective that expands possibilities for teens, college students, and young adults. Rather than focusing on majors, prestige, or job market predictions, Lisa explains why looking at the type of work a person is wired to enjoy creates stronger long-term career confidence. She also shares practical ways parents can shift from feeling responsible for finding the right answer to becoming a trusted thinking partner as their child explores future opportunities. In this episode, you’ll discover: A broader way to think about career planning that goes beyond majors and job titlesWhy preparing for life after graduation requires a different mindset than preparing for graduationHow self-awareness can uncover career paths that fit a person's natural strengthsThe role parents can play in encouraging exploration instead of rushing decisions Key Takeaways:  Parents and high schools often focus on passions, academic strengths, job outlook, or prestige, but those factors alone create an incomplete picture when helping a young person choose a career.Organizing career exploration around the U.S. Department of Labor's job family framework helps students identify the type of work that fits their natural wiring instead of committing too early to a specific major or profession.Career clusters can help students choose classes and educational pathways, while job families encourage a longer-term view of career fit and adaptability as occupations continue to evolve.Parents can reduce pressure by asking thoughtful questions, encouraging exploration before commitment, and helping their child recognize recurring patterns in their interests and strengths instead of trying to provide all the answers.  “Families often think that what they really want is a major... What you really want is a confident path to the future.” – Lisa Marker-Robbins Episode References: #221 The #1 Predictor of Your Child’s Career Success (It’s Not What You Think) https://flourishcoachingco.com/221Job Families Sample with Birkman Report: https://flourishcoachingco.com/jobsLearn more about Launch Career Clarity at FlourishCoachingCo.com/course Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: THE CAREER IDENTIFICATION COMPASS: How To Be Certain Your 15 To 25 Year Old is On The Right Path to Launch With Confidence–Not Confusion: flourishcoachingco.com/video  Connect with Lisa: Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

    The Career Lens Most Parents Never Consider

  3. Jul 7

    Mid-Year Career Clarity Check: Is Your Family Behind?

    Time has a way of speeding up, especially when major decisions about school, careers, and independence are on the horizon. In this solo episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins encourages parents to pause for a mid-year career clarity check, helping families assess where teens, college students, and young adults stand before the next milestone arrives. She walks through four key stages families face when preparing to launch their young person into adult independence while explaining why direction requires intention rather than waiting for time to solve uncertainty. Along the way, Lisa shares practical questions and conversation strategies to help families build confidence, foster greater ownership, and prepare for the second half of the year. In this episode, you’ll discover: How career clarity changes across the different stages of a young person's developmentThe common patterns that leave families feeling behind as major milestones approachWhy intentional planning matters more than waiting for maturity or time to create directionWays parents can encourage greater ownership while preparing students for increasing independence Key Takeaways:  (04:14) Milestone #1: High School Years — Students need more than a plan after graduation. They need to understand why they're choosing a particular path and ensure their decisions align with long-term career goals.(09:00) Milestone #2: Around Age 20 — By this stage, families should look for evidence of intentional progress rather than assuming maturity alone will create direction or career momentum.(13:52) Milestone #3: The First Career Search — Landing a career requires more than credentials. Young adults need the self-awareness and communication skills to explain the value they bring to an employer.(19:09) Milestone #4: The Launch Line — Parents can best support independence by leading conversations with empathy and curiosity while encouraging greater ownership instead of stepping in to solve every problem.  “Lead the discussion with questions and curiosity, not with directives or orders.” – Lisa Marker-Robbins Episode References: Learn more about Launch Career Clarity at FlourishCoachingCo.com/course#169 The Hidden Impact of College Major Selection on Admissions with Rick Clark: https://flourishcoachingco.com/169#212 How to Choose a College That Delivers Career ROI, with Jeff Selingo: https://flourishcoachingco.com/212#221 The #1 Predictor of Your Child’s Career Success (It’s Not What You Think): https://flourishcoachingco.com/221 Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: THE CAREER IDENTIFICATION COMPASS: How To Be Certain Your 15 To 25 Year Old is On The Right Path to Launch With Confidence–Not Confusion: flourishcoachingco.com/video  Connect with Lisa: Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

    Mid-Year Career Clarity Check: Is Your Family Behind?

  4. Jun 30

    What Parents Get Wrong About Their Kid's Confidence

    Many parents assume confidence comes before action, but Lisa Marker-Robbins explains why that belief often keeps young people stuck. In this solo episode, she explores why teens, college students, and young adults are more likely to pursue opportunities and explore career paths when they feel supported rather than fully prepared. Drawing on stories from her own life and observations from working with over 4,000 families, Lisa breaks down the common roadblocks that appear during career development and the factors that help students move forward. She shares a practical framework built around support, tools, and community to help young people build courage and take the next step. In this episode, you’ll discover: Common misconceptions about confidence and why they often hold young people backThe challenges that arise when students move from career research to real-world actionPractical ways to make networking, career conversations, and outreach feel less intimidatingHow to use support systems and community to help build the courage to take the next step Key Takeaways:  Confidence is built through action, not preparation alone, which means students do not need to feel ready before reaching out to professionals, exploring career paths, or pursuing new opportunities.Young people are more likely to take courageous steps when they have mentors, coaches, or trusted guides who can offer encouragement, direction, and examples from their own experience.Practical resources such as email templates, conversation guides, and structured frameworks help reduce uncertainty and make career exploration feel far less overwhelming.Parents should consider whether they are investing in career development with the same level of intention they often bring to academics, athletics, and other extracurricular activities, since every student will eventually enter the workforce.  “Young people don't become courageous because they suddenly feel ready; they become courageous because they feel supported.” – Lisa Marker-Robbins Episode References: Learn more about Launch Career Clarity at FlourishCoachingCo.com/course Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: THE CAREER IDENTIFICATION COMPASS: How To Be Certain Your 15 To 25-year-old is On The Right Path to Launch With Confidence–Not Confusion: flourishcoachingco.com/video Connect with Lisa: Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

    What Parents Get Wrong About Their Kid's Confidence

  5. Jun 23

    The Step Where Career Clarity Falls Apart—and Why

    Career exploration often starts with enthusiasm but stalls at the exact point where clarity is supposed to take shape. In this solo episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins shares a pattern she has observed after helping thousands of families, from those who have no idea where to start to those who believe they're checking all the right boxes: young people rarely get stuck because they lack information. Instead, the biggest roadblock appears when it's time to move beyond assessments and online research into real-world career validation. Lisa explains why this stage feels difficult for teens, college students, and young adults. Using a personal continuous glucose monitor (CGM) experiment as an analogy, she illustrates the difference between awareness and validation and previews why courage becomes the next essential step in the career development process. In this episode, you’ll discover: The hidden challenges that emerge after an initial career interest takes shapeWhy career confidence is built differently than most families expectThe role discomfort plays in major life and career decisionsHow parents can better interpret periods of stalled progress Key Takeaways:  Whether families are just beginning the career conversation or feel they're doing everything right, the validation stage is where many students and young adults lose momentum.A student's willingness to complete assessments and research careers is often evidence of engagement, which means stalled progress is more likely tied to discomfort with the next step than a lack of motivation.Real career confidence is built through validation experiences such as informational conversations, job shadows, internships, part-time work, and other forms of firsthand exposure that test assumptions against reality.Awareness comes from gathering information, but confidence grows when ideas are tested in real-world situations and assumptions are replaced with firsthand experience.  “If you skip steps, you skip results, and that's where things fall apart.” – Lisa Marker-Robbins Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: THE CAREER IDENTIFICATION COMPASS: How To Be Certain Your 15 To 25 Year Old is On The Right Path to Launch With Confidence–Not Confusion: flourishcoachingco.com/video    Connect with Lisa: Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

    The Step Where Career Clarity Falls Apart—and Why

  6. Jun 16

    The Missing Skills Behind Independence with Katie Azevedo

    Success in school, college, and work often depends on skills that many young people are never formally taught. In this episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins talks with Katie Azevedo about the executive function systems that help students and young adults stay organized, follow through on responsibilities, and build independence. In this episode, Lisa and Katie discuss: Why executive function skills become more important as responsibilities increaseCommon habits that keep students overwhelmed and behind on responsibilitiesHow task management and time management work together to support independenceWays parents can model organization and planning in everyday lifeKey Takeaways:  School portals help students see assignments, but they don't provide a way to manage project steps, study sessions, or responsibilities outside the classroom.Chronic procrastination, missed deadlines, and last minute scrambling are often signs that a student lacks a reliable system for capturing and tracking tasks.Effective task management starts by gathering commitments from school, work, activities, family responsibilities, and other sources into one trusted location.Summer offers a lower pressure environment to practice organization and follow through, making the transition into a new school year, semester, or job much smoother.“The two biggest skill deficits that are holding professionals back are a lack of task management and a lack of time management systems.” – Katie Azevedo About Katie Azevedo: Katie Azevedo, M.Ed., is the founder of SchoolHabits.com, the creator of the Executive Function Journal, and the host of the Learn and Work Smarter Podcast. With a Master's Degree in Special Education and nearly 20 years of teaching experience, Katie specializes in the intersection between ADHD and academics. She runs a private executive function coaching business and an online course, SchoolHabits University, where she helps students and professionals learn and work better. Episode References: Assignment Management Power System: https://www.assignmentmanagementsystem.com/Executive Function Journal: https://www.executivefunctionjournal.com/#159 Study Strategies to Beat Your Teen’s Mid-Year Slump with Katie Azevedo: https://flourishcoachingco.com/podcast/159-study-strategies-to-beat-your-teens-mid-year-slump-with-katie-azevedo/Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: THE CAREER IDENTIFICATION COMPASS: How To Be Certain Your 15 To 25 Year Old is On The Right Path to Launch With Confidence–Not Confusion: flourishcoachingco.com/video  Connect with Katie: Podcast: Learn and Work Smarter: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learn-and-work-smarter/id1719881389 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolhabits/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SchoolHabits Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchoolHabitsKatie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-azevedo/ Website: https://schoolhabits.com/ Connect with Lisa: Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

    The Missing Skills Behind Independence with Katie Azevedo

  7. Jun 9

    Stop Trying to Impress Colleges: What Admissions Really Want with Susan Knoppow

    What if the biggest mistake in college admissions is trying to impress colleges instead of helping them understand who you are? In this episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins sits down with Susan Knoppow to discuss what admissions officers are actually looking for, why applicants often miss the point of essay prompts, and how a strong process leads to stronger essays. In this episode, Lisa and Susan discuss: How colleges evaluate applicants beyond grades and test scoresThe importance of supplemental essaysBalancing authenticity with strategy in the application processManaging the essay process without unnecessary pressure Key Takeaways:  Many applicants spend too much time trying to sound impressive when admissions officers are more interested in whether they answer the question and reveal something meaningful about themselves.Personal statements are most effective when they focus on character and personal growth, while supplemental essays often provide evidence of fit, direction, preparation, and interest in a specific major or institution.Students do not need extraordinary accomplishments or dramatic stories to stand out. What matters more is self awareness, authenticity, and a clear understanding of their goals.A structured process that includes reflection, brainstorming, drafting, revising, and a realistic timeline can lead to stronger essays and less stress for both students and parents.  “The lower the stakes, the better the student actually performs.” – Susan Knoppow About Susan Knoppow: Susan is the CEO and co-founder of Wow Writing Workshop, where she created the Wow Method, a simple, ten step process for writing college essays used by thousands of students, counselors, and educational consultants. A former executive speechwriter and copywriter, she is also a published poet and essayist. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Writing from Vermont College. Episode References: Download Susan's free 10 Step College Essay Writing Guide: https://wowwritingworkshop.com/flourishExplore admission by major at all 50 state flagship universities: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/majorsGet Lisa's Free on-demand video: THE CAREER IDENTIFICATION COMPASS: How To Be Certain Your 15 To 25 Year Old is On The Right Path to Launch With Confidence–Not Confusion: flourishcoachingco.com/video  Connect with Susan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowessayexperts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wowwriting YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wowwritingworkshop Website: https://wowwritingworkshop.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanknoppow/ Connect with Lisa: Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

    Stop Trying to Impress Colleges: What Admissions Really Want with Susan Knoppow

  8. Jun 2

    The Summer Mistake That Leaves Families Panicked by Labor Day

    What if the biggest summer mistake isn't doing too much, but doing too little with the extra time available? In this solo episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins explains why families who treat summer as a time to simply relax often reach Labor Day feeling behind, highlighting the difference between rest and rejuvenation and showing how intentional action can help students build confidence, momentum, and direction for what comes next. Lisa also shares practical strategies to help teens and young adults gain self-awareness, explore future possibilities, build momentum, and enter the fall with greater clarity, confidence, and direction. In this episode, you’ll discover: Seasonal habits and their long-term emotional impactThe relationship between unstructured time, responsibility, and personal growthHow young adults respond to uncertainty and expectationsCreating sustainable momentum during periods of transition Key Takeaways:  Unstructured summertime often leads to drift rather than progress, causing many teens and young adults to fall into inconsistent routines, shift their sleep schedules, spend more time on screens, postpone responsibilities, and reach Labor Day feeling anxious about what comes next.While rest helps students recover from the demands of the school year, rejuvenating activities that are life-giving and momentum-building, such as learning new skills, exploring interests, building relationships, and gaining career exposure, are often what create energy, confidence, and forward progress.What looks like a lack of motivation is often a lack of clarity, as many young people feel overwhelmed by expectations from themselves, their families, and their peers, leaving them unsure where to begin and afraid of making the wrong choice.Confidence is usually the result of action, with self-awareness, intentional exploration, networking, and real-world experiences helping students build clarity, motivation, and direction as they take meaningful steps toward future goals.  “Families often are sitting there waiting for that motivation first, but momentum is what will create the motivation.” – Lisa Marker-Robbins Episode References: Ready for a different outcome this fall? Start with this free video today: https://courses.flourishcoachingco.com/clarity#228 Why Capable Kids End Up Stuck in Miserable Jobs: https://flourishcoachingco.com/podcast/228-why-capable-kids-end-up-stuck-in-miserable-jobs/ Get Lisa's Free on-demand video: THE CAREER IDENTIFICATION COMPASS: How To Be Certain Your 15 To 25 Year Old is On The Right Path to Launch With Confidence–Not Confusion: flourishcoachingco.com/video  Connect with Lisa: Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishcoachingco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co

    The Summer Mistake That Leaves Families Panicked by Labor Day
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4.9
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About

If you’re the parent of a 15 to 25-year-old and you’re worried they don’t have a clear direction for what comes next, you’re not alone. Too many young people are asked to make big decisions about their future without a process to figure out what actually fits. When they guess, wait, or follow the wrong advice, it often leads to wasted time, lost momentum, and frustration. College and Career Clarity helps families prepare their teen or young adult to launch into adulthood with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Lisa Marker-Robbins, a career coach with over 30 years of experience, this podcast focuses on what actually leads to a successful launch: building self-awareness, exploring options, and validating the right path before making high-stakes decisions. You’ll learn: • How to help your teen or young adult build real direction before choosing what’s next • How to avoid common missteps that leave young people stuck, starting over, or lacking confidence  • What it actually takes to move forward with clarity, confidence, and traction Whether your teen or young adult is planning for what comes after high school, navigating college, or already out and trying to find their path, this podcast will give you a clearer way forward.

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa Marker Robbins
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    237
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Flourish Coaching
  • Show Website
    College and Career Clarity

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