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. 6d ago

    From High School Forward: Are You Building What Employers Will Actually Want?

    The truth is, a college degree, extra certification, or an impressive list of activities may no longer be enough to get employers to notice a young person.  In this episode of College & Career Clarity, Lisa Marker-Robbins shares insights from her work with teens, college students, and young adults to explain what employers are looking for and how young people can start building a career-ready professional identity before they enter the job market. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why double majors or minors, workplace credentials, and activities may not improve job prospects for young adultsThe role of AI know-how, proven skills, and human abilities in career readinessStarting career preparation early through relevant experiences and skill buildingSupporting career discovery and development from high school through the early years of employment Key Takeaways:  Young people need to understand how AI can support and adapt to work, while developing communication, collaboration, problem-solving, agency, and the ability to influence outcomes.Skills gained through internships or independent research become more compelling when young people can demonstrate what they can do and connect those abilities to a wider range of careers.Before pursuing another certification, minor, or graduate degree, assess whether the real gap is technical knowledge, proof of skills, human abilities, or how existing strengths are communicated to employers.High school students can use classes, extracurriculars, and free time to build a foundation, while college students should assess their strengths and gaps and deliberately develop the experience and evidence they will need after graduation.  “[If] you're in high school. Don't panic and don't start resume stuffing. Use the experience to begin building the skills, the humanness, and the evidence.” – Lisa Marker-Robbins Episode References: Join the newsletter to get weekly clarity tools, insights, and family conversation prompts straight to your inbox: flourishcoachingco.com/newsletterLearn more about Launch Career Clarity at https://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

    From High School Forward: Are You Building What Employers Will Actually Want?

  2. Oct 13

    How to Get Internship Ready and Make It Count with Julia Lapan, UVA

    An internship can offer much more than a line on a resume. Lisa Marker-Robbins and Dr. Julia Lapan from the University of Virginia explore how internships help young people build career direction, practical skills, professional connections, and a clearer sense of what they can contribute. They also offer practical advice on the internship search and application process for students from high school through college.  In this episode, Lisa and Julia discuss: What makes an internship valuable as part of a young person’s broader career developmentWhy career readiness develops differently for each studentThe role of self-awareness and professional identity in preparing for opportunitiesHow work experiences can build the human skills that carry into college and future careers Key Takeaways:  A strong internship gives students industry insight, practical skills beyond the classroom, and professional connections they can build.Students can pursue internships at different points in college, while part-time jobs and undergraduate research can build skills and help them feel more prepared.When evaluating an internship, students can ask what they will learn, what projects they will work on, who they will work with, and how they will be supervised.Students can reflect on what they learned, the skills they developed, and the connections they made, then use those insights to update their resume, stay connected with mentors, and choose their next opportunity. “We think of internships as prototyping experiences, and some people prefer to call those trying things out, or experimenting, or exploring. But really, what internships are is they provide students a taste of the future.” – Julia Lapan About Julia Lapan: Julia Lapan is the inaugural Executive Director of Career Design & Discovery at the University of Virginia's College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, she previously served as Assistant Dean at UVA's School of Engineering and Applied Science, where she integrated career design into the first-year engineering curriculum. She holds a doctorate and master's degree from UVA and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the College of the Holy Cross. Episode References: Free LinkedIn Profile Builder: https://flourishcoachingco.com/linkedinLearn more about Launch Career Clarity at https://flourishcoachingco.com/course #247 4 Steps to Help Your Kid Take Smarter Risks with Matthew Confer: https://flourishcoachingco.com/247 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 Julia: Website: https://college.as.virginia.edu/people/julia-lapan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julialapan/ 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 to Get Internship Ready and Make It Count with Julia Lapan, UVA

  3. Oct 6

    4 Steps to Help Your Kid Take Smarter Risks with Matthew Confer

    Taking a risk does not have to mean jumping in blindly, especially when the stakes feel high for a young person. In this episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins and Matthew Confer explore how young people can think through uncertainty, prepare for setbacks, and take action before they feel fully confident. Lisa and Matthew discuss: Why capable young people freeze when it's time to take action on their career, even when they know what to doWhat a pre-mortem is and how imagining failure before it happens actually builds the courage to actHow to apply the RISK framework to a real internship or job search so young people stop putting all their eggs in one basketWhy thinking in adjacent industries and cross-functional skills matters more than targeting one perfect opportunityHow parents can use this process with their young person without stepping in and taking over Key Takeaways: A pre-mortem asks you to assume failure before you start, name what could go wrong, and build a plan while you can still change courseThe RISK framework walks through four steps: Recognize the threats, Imagine the disaster, Solve for vulnerability, and Kickstart the solutionWhen young people say their worst-case scenario out loud, it almost always turns out to be less scary than keeping it hidden insidePutting all your internship or job search effort into one industry or company type is one of the most common and avoidable mistakesParents can run this framework alongside their young person by brainwriting threats separately first, then comparing, so no one voice dominates the conversation  “The vast majority of times you will find that colossal failure is not as scary.” – Matthew Confer About Matthew Confer: Matthew Confer is the Chief Strategy Officer at Abilitie, an Austin-based leadership development company. He is the author of The Upside of Downside Thinking: A Premortem Approach to Better Decision Making, published by ATD Press. His TEDx talk on decision-making, “Before You Decide,” has been viewed more than one million times. He also hosts the Learn To Lead Podcast, where he explores leadership, decision-making, and the ideas that help people grow personally and professionally.  Episode References: Free LinkedIn Profile Builder: https://flourishcoachingco.com/linkedinMatthew’s book: The Upside of Downside Thinking: https://www.theupsideofdownsidethinking.com/Matthew's TEDx talk: Before You Decide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Jnmi2BkS8Learn more about Launch Career Clarity at https://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 Matthew: Twitter: https://x.com/MatthewConfer Website: https://abilitie.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconfer/ 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

    4 Steps to Help Your Kid Take Smarter Risks with Matthew Confer

  4. Sep 29

    Why Capable Kids Struggle to Act on Their Own Behalf

    Capable young people can know what to do and still struggle to act when the stakes get higher.  In this episode of College & Career Clarity, Lisa Marker-Robbins explores why agency does not automatically develop with age and why professional risk-taking can feel difficult for some young adults. She also shares how parents can give young people more opportunities to practice acting on their own behalf, using examples from career development and family life to show how small responsibilities can build agency over time. In this episode, you’ll discover: The difference between everyday independence and public-facing professional risk-takingHow parenting support can create or limit opportunities to practice independenceWhy personality and confidence do not determine agencyHow career exploration builds independence, decision-making, and personal responsibility Key Takeaways:  Agency develops through action, so confidence or a detailed playbook cannot replace making the call, sending the email, asking for help, or trying again after a setback.Parents can build these skills through low-stakes opportunities, such as having a teenager email a teacher, make an appointment, speak with an adult about their work, or manage their own car service.When deciding whether to help, ask whether the young person cannot do something yet or is simply uncomfortable doing it, since each situation calls for different support.Career exploration gives young people room to make mistakes and practice acting on their own behalf before their livelihood depends on it, as shown by Sabrina Snyder's daughter taking greater ownership of college preparation.  “Agency is not a personality type, my friends. It's a capacity that gets developed. It's a muscle that gets built.” – Lisa Marker-Robbins Episode References: Learn more about Launch Career Clarity at https://flourishcoachingco.com/courseSample Birkman Report: https://flourishcoachingco.com/birkman#241 Could Your Help Be Holding Your Young Person Back? with Jason Robinovitz: https://flourishcoachingco.com/241 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

    Why Capable Kids Struggle to Act on Their Own Behalf

  5. Sep 22

    What Can Get Missed While Earning a Liberal Arts Degree

    A liberal arts degree can provide broad academic freedom, but that freedom can leave students without the career structure employers expect after graduation. In this episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins examines the gap between academic exploration and career development, especially among liberal arts graduates who leave college with strong grades and academic accomplishments but struggle to get interviews. She explains why career readiness takes more than a degree and how students can start building professional identity, skills, and evidence while still in school. This episode also looks at how families can support young people in taking ownership of the process and building a bridge between education and employment. In this episode, you’ll discover: The difference between academic exploration and career developmentHow degree structure can shape a student’s career preparationRecognizing the growing importance of professional identity and evidence of skillsBuilding career development alongside college exploration for students and families Key Takeaways:  Strong grades and academic accomplishments show a student can succeed in college, but employers also need evidence of skills, relevant experience, and the ability to create value at work.Graduates can submit 80 or 100 applications without an interview when they lack career evidence, leaving them unsure what jobs to target, with resumes lacking skills and little professional identity.Liberal arts students can build career readiness through career awareness, exploring aligned careers, and using real-world experiences to validate interests and build proof of skills.Waiting until after graduation can create financial and emotional pressure, but students can start building their career bridge at any stage because “it’s never too late” to start.  “The less career structure your degree provides, the more career structure you need to intentionally create for yourself.” – Lisa Marker-Robbins Episode References: Learn more about Launch Career Clarity at https://flourishcoachingco.com/course#237 How to Tell If a College Will Prepare Students for Career Success with Julia Lapan, UVA: https://flourishcoachingco.com/237#238 The “Why This Major Essay” Isn't Really About Your Major: https://flourishcoachingco.com/238University of Michigan to switch to pass/fail grades for first-semester students: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/11/university-of-michigan-pass-fail-grading-system 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 Can Get Missed While Earning a Liberal Arts Degree

  6. Sep 15

    When Capable Isn't Enough with Mark Talaga

    A young person can be highly capable and still struggle with things that seem like they should come easily. Lisa Marker-Robbins talks with Mark Talaga about giftedness, hidden challenges, self-awareness, and the skills young people need for greater independence. In this episode, Lisa and Mark discuss: Giftedness beyond academics and exceptional ability in different areasHidden challenges and asynchronous development behind unexpected strugglesIdentity, agency, and self-advocacy as young people gain independenceCareer development and personal growth through self-awareness and support Key Takeaways:  A young person may excel creatively, academically, athletically, or in another area while still having vulnerabilities that become more visible as expectations, contexts, or demands change.Parents can look at how a young person performs in specific situations rather than assuming strong performance in one context will transfer to another, such as creative writing versus structured school assignments.Self-awareness makes advocacy more effective by helping young people explain their needs, recognize where they struggle, and work with others to create practical supports.Executive functioning can continue developing throughout adulthood, and building a support network can help young people become more capable and independent.  “Giftedness is not a number. It is more, ‘Wow, this kid does not seem to fit in on some level compared to their peers.’” – Mark Talaga About Mark Talaga: Mark Talaga, MA, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, speaker, and founder of the Center for Identity Potential, where he works with gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent individuals and their families. With experience in mental health counseling and the video game industry, Mark offers insight into giftedness, motivation, anxiety, asynchronous development, screen time, and family dynamics. He also hosts the Hopelessly Gifted Podcast, exploring challenges facing gifted individuals and their families. Episode References: Learn more about Launch Career Clarity at https://flourishcoachingco.com/courseSample Birkman Report: https://flourishcoachingco.com/birkman 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 Mark: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopelesslygifted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopelesslygifted YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HopelesslyGifted Website: https://www.centerforidentitypotential.com/ Hopelessly Gifted Podcast: https://www.hopelesslygifted.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktalaga/ 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

    When Capable Isn't Enough with Mark Talaga

  7. Sep 8

    Personal Safety: Is Your Young Person Prepared? with S. Gale Bleth

    As young people gain independence, recognizing risk becomes an important part of staying safe. In this episode, Lisa Marker-Robbins talks with S. Gale Bleth about personal safety, situational awareness, and the A.W.A.R.E. Method for building safer habits without limiting independence. In this episode, Lisa and Gale discuss: Building independence while helping young people develop practical safety habitsSituational awareness and everyday risks people may overlookThe A.W.A.R.E. Method for decision-making in unfamiliar situationsPreparing for situations that may escalate beyond awareness Key Takeaways:  Phone use can reduce situational awareness, making it easier to miss risks in places like parking lots while also exposing personal information through social media.The Cooper Color Code of awareness shows how awareness shifts from unawareness in white to heightened awareness in orange and immediate danger in red, while freezing can happen when someone is unprepared.The A.W.A.R.E. method turns awareness into a sequence of actions: be alert, watch, assess, respond, and escape before self-defense becomes necessary.Parents can build safety awareness through stories and real-life scenarios, helping young people think through choices around parties, driving, parking lots, and other situations without relying on lectures.  “If you understand to just be aware, then you don't need to be paranoid, because you're going to know what to do if something happens.” – S. Gale Bleth About S. Gale Bleth: Gale Bleth’s career has been built around one mission: helping people stay safe without living in fear. Born in Oakland, California, and raised in a military family, she built her career in education, leadership, and public safety. She spent sixteen years at California State University, East Bay, and sixteen years as a Crime Prevention Specialist with the Hayward Police Department. Since 2000, she has been a certified R.A.D. Systems self-defense instructor, teaching people to recognize danger, trust their instincts, and respond effectively. Episode References: The R.A.D. Systems of Self Defense: https://www.rad-systems.com/Learn more about Launch Career Clarity at https://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 Gale: Book: A.W.A.R.E.: A Personal Safety Playbook for Leaving the Nest: https://www.amazon.com/W-R-Personal-Playbook-Leaving/dp/1544551304/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stayaware_sgb/ Website: https://www.stay-aware.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgalebleth 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

    Personal Safety: Is Your Young Person Prepared? with S. Gale Bleth

  8. Sep 1

    Think Your Young Person Isn't a Leader? Look Again

    Leadership does not always look like a team captain, club president, or the person at the front of the room. In this episode of College and Career Clarity, Lisa Marker-Robbins explores how leadership can show up through everyday behaviors, strengths, and responsibilities. As an example, in the Launch Career Clarity community, Audria and her son shared how recognizing overlooked strengths can change the way parents see their young person. Lisa goes on to explain how those strengths can be developed and turned into evidence for college, internship, scholarship, and career opportunities. In this episode, you’ll discover: Rethinking leadership beyond titles, positions, and outgoing personalitiesRecognizing leadership through everyday behaviors and responsibilitiesBuilding self-awareness through reflection and family conversationsTurning existing strengths into opportunities for skill development and career growth Key Takeaways:  Leadership can show up through problem-solving, mentoring, advocacy, family responsibilities, or being the person who helps others stay calm when things go sideways.Parents can look back at ordinary moments and ask where their young person has taken responsibility, influenced others, initiated something, or helped solve a problem.Instead of telling a young person “you’re a leader,” slow down and ask questions about what happened so they can identify the strength for themselves.Experiences such as 4-H, volunteer work, internships, projects, and part-time jobs can give young people places to practice and build concrete evidence they can later use in applications and interviews.  “Don't chase the title. Chase the opportunity to practice the skill and the strength.” – Lisa Marker-Robbins Episode References: Learn more about Launch Career Clarity at https://flourishcoachingco.com/courseSample Birkman Report: https://flourishcoachingco.com/birkman#238 The “Why This Major Essay” Isn't Really About Your Major: https://flourishcoachingco.com/238 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

    Think Your Young Person Isn't a Leader? Look Again
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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
    250
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Flourish Coaching
  • Show Website
    College and Career Clarity

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