#237 How to Tell If a College Will Prepare Students for Career Success with Julia Lapan, UVA

Flourish Coaching

Jul 28, 2026

Choosing a college is about far more than rankings, majors, and graduation rates.

Lisa Marker-Robbins sits down with Dr. Julia Lapan from the University of Virginia to explore what families should look for in a college experience that helps students build confidence, explore career possibilities, and prepare for life after graduation.

In this episode, Lisa and Julia discuss:

What separates colleges that produce strong career outcomes from those that leave students to figure it out themselves
Why self-awareness should come before choosing a major or pursuing internships
How to look beyond college rankings and employment statistics when comparing colleges
How UVA’s Arts and Sciences College embeds “career ecosystem” design throughout the four-year experience for all students

Key Takeaways:

Career exploration grows through conversations, small experiences, and personal projects or artifacts, not one defining opportunity.
Self-awareness should be foundational and built early, guiding choices about majors and internships.
Families should look beyond rankings and career outcomes to understand how a college supports career development across campus. Career services matter, but are only one part of the picture.
Parents can best support the process by asking thoughtful questions, encouraging exploration, and giving students the confidence to make their own decisions.

“It’s never too early to begin planning for one’s life and career. It is also never too late.” – 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:

Get your questions answered live: https://flourishcoachingco.com/qa
Learn more about Launch Career Clarity at https://flourishcoachingco.com/course
Sample Birkman Report Available at: https://flourishcoachingco.com/birkman
Fortune 100 CEO self-awareness study: https://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2013/11/18/all-successful-leaders-need-this-quality-self-awareness/
#212 How to Choose a College That Delivers Career ROI, with Jeff Selingo: https://flourishcoachingco.com/212

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