I have twins attending excellent universities in Philadelphia.  But it was disappointing to see their resumes that were approved by the schools’ Career Services area.

After talking more with my kids about what the Career Services are providing, I’ve come to realize that it’s not much of anything useful. Where are the real-life tools they need to land a job after graduation — or even an internship for that matter?

Initially I thought it was my experience with only these two schools but it’s not.  My kids have sent their friends to reach out to me and take a look at their resumes.  Different schools — top-notch schools — are falling short to prep our students in this area.  I asked one gal what her Career Services department did to help with her resume and she told me they handed her a hard copy of a resume template.  That’s it!  And it was garbage.

In my conversations with these students I’m finding that not only are they not spending enough time on how to craft a solid resume and treat it as a working document throughout their careers, but they’re not touching on many of the fundamentals of networking and interviewing.  All but one student I spoke with didn’t know to research a company before the interview.  How much more basic can you get?

We’ve been in a job rut since 2008.  Experienced professionals are taking lower paying jobs to stay afloat financially.  People who have planned to retire can’t and are working longer.  With so many graduates each year, how will these students be able to get an edge so they can create their own career opportunities?

The students — our future — need the academic world to allow career and business professionals into the classroom to put these antiquated ideas in the grave.

It’s time for the professors to move aside and allow business leaders, hiring managers, career coaches and resume writers in the classrooms.  They can lay the foundation of covering all the critical areas of the job search:

• how to craft a resume
• how to write a concise yet meaningful cover letter
• interviewing skills and fundamentals
• networking basics — do’s and don’ts

I know so many intelligent and overall great young people who are getting ready to launch in May and I’m worried for them.

I know there has to be schools who are doing it right — I just wish there was a way for it to be universal.

If you have experience with colleges who are doing this right — please let me hear about it so I can have a glimmer of hope for our future.