What is Postsecondary Institutional Environments

Most students pursuing postsecondary education have a primary goal of attaining gainful employment and enhancing their career prospects. Yet postsecondary career centers, whose mandate is to serve all students and sometimes alums, are often under-resourced, especially when it comes to providing catered support for underrepresented students. By the same token, students also prefer to turn to career influencers: postsecondary professionals with whom they regularly interact but work outside of career centers and might not have career development expertise. Though they informally support student career development, career influencers are trusted members within students' career ecosystems who contribute to student wellbeing, career, and lifelong success. This chapter examines career realities and challenges experienced by three underrepresented student populations (international students, students with disabilities, and Indigenous students) and offers recommendations on leveraging career influencers to sustain students' career ecosystems.