Focus on the finish line: Does high-impact practice participation influence career plans and job attainment?

Abstract

High-impact practices (HIPs) are an important component of student engagement in higher education, as they promote learning, development, and persistence among students. The goal of this study was to extend the research on HIPs to explore potential connections with HIP participation and career outcomes. Using data from the National Survey of Student Engagement, this study explores whether high-impact practice (HIP) participation influences plans for career and further education for graduating seniors, and whether HIP participation has a positive impact on job attainment for these students. The results of logistic and multinomial regression analyses suggest that even after controlling for a variety of other demographic and institutional factors, HIP participation is a significant predictor of future career plans and attainment. The findings are discussed in the context of the Chaos Theory of Careers (Pryor & Bright, 2003), which emphasizes the role of multiple influences and chance, as well as acknowledging nonlinear paths in career advising and development. HIP participation can give students a career-related advantage through transferable skill development, engaging in learning opportunities, and generating "stories" for potential employers.