Helping Parents Unlock Their Student’s Potential
As a parent, one of the most powerful tools you can provide your student is clarity. Clarity about who they are, what they’re good at, and where they’re headed. That’s exactly what the StrengthsFinder Assessment, offered as part of the College Parents of America’s Paid Membership, delivers—a roadmap to your student’s natural talents and how to channel them effectively through their college years and beyond.
Discovering Strength in the Unknown
According to the Gallup Walton Family Foundation Voices of Gen Z Study – “Known Unknowns: Gen Z’s Limited Awareness of Non-College Pathways, 2025”, students and parents alike are grappling with a surprising challenge: not knowing their options.
Only 33% of Gen Z students report knowing “a lot” about earning a bachelor’s degree.
Even fewer—less than 20%—know much about other common pathways like entering the workforce, completing an apprenticeship, or launching a business.
Parents are only slightly more informed: only 25% know “a great deal” about certifications, and a mere 15% feel they know enough about internships or apprenticeships.
This knowledge gap signifies a bigger problem: students are relying on parents for career and college guidance, but those parents may not have the tools to give it.
Where CliftonStrengths Fits In
The CliftonStrengths Assessment bridges that gap. Available as part of our paid membership, the StrengthsFinder Assessment helps parents and students uncover the student’s unique blend of talents. With this knowledge:
Students receive a personalized report identifying their top five strengths.
The report provides strategies for academic success, making the transition from high school to college smoother and more strategic.
Students discover how their strengths can lead to meaningful social connections and fulfilling career paths.
Reports include student-specific guidance, tailored to help them thrive not just in college, but also in internships, part-time jobs, or even entrepreneurship.
Empowering Families Through Knowledge
The Gallup study highlights that:
“Students whose parents know a great deal about a postsecondary pathway are about three to six times as likely to also know about that pathway.”
This underscores the importance of parental awareness in shaping a child’s future. When you, as a parent, understand your student's strengths, you become an empowered and insightful guide—not just a cheerleader, but a coach with a plan.
Not Just for College—For Life
While many talk about the college journey, College Parents of America is here to elevate that conversation. We’re focusing on preparing students for life—academically, socially, and professionally.
The CliftonStrengths Assessment doesn’t just help students decide what major to pursue—it helps them see themselves clearly, so they can pursue the right path with confidence, whether that’s:
A four-year degree
A certification or apprenticeship
Military service or entrepreneurship
Or entering the workforce with purpose
Final Thoughts
When students and parents alike are unsure of what's ahead, identifying a student’s strengths becomes more than just helpful—it becomes essential. It’s time we replace uncertainty with direction, overwhelm with clarity, and doubt with confidence.
Join College Parent of America’s Paid Membership today and unlock the powerful CliftonStrengths Assessment for your student.
Let’s help them discover not just what they can do, but who they truly are—and how far their strengths can take them.
Data sourced from the Gallup Walton Family Foundation Voices of Gen Z Study: Known Unknowns, 2025
