"Navigating Careers" issue (July)
A newsletter (for adults) about career readiness (for kids)
Dear Readers,
Too many young people are leaving high school without clarity on where they’re going next or how to get there. In fact, less than half of Gen Z respondents in one of our latest surveys said they had enough information to decide what post-high school pathway was best for them.
They face a vast array of degree and nondegree options—including certificate programs, apprenticeships, short-term credentials, and professional licenses— but little information on which paths lead to meaningful, quality jobs and careers.
That’s why we’re working alongside our partner Jobs for the Future (JFF) to change this! We are proud to announce a $25 million, multiyear investment to fund the creation of the ASA Center for Career Navigation at JFF. This work will empower people ages 16-24 to better prepare for and navigate quality education and career pathways after high school. The new center aims to lead the field in career navigation for high school students and young people who are neither in school nor employed, with a goal of helping 20 million young learners by 2030. (Read the press release).
Fortunately, stories abound of students who are getting the memo about in-demand jobs and the postsecondary education pathways that can take them there. Students in Maine, for example, are completing pre-apprenticeships in high-paying trade occupations while still in high school, in a program that can eventually see them earning degrees through the state’s community college system. (Read the story.) A similar initiative in South Carolina is allowing high schoolers to complete apprenticeships in law enforcement. (Read the story.) Rhode Island high schoolers are completing on-campus internships at Brown University while connecting with industry mentors in diverse fields. (Read the story.) And, Tennessee teens are becoming certified for construction jobs through a program that will see them boosting their earning power before they’ve even graduated. (Read the story.)
I hope you’ll be as inspired as I am by these examples of schools and employers who are breaking the mold. I wish you a pleasant remainder of your summer and will see you back here for our Back to School edition in August!
Sincerely,
Jean
P.S. - If you’d like to reach me directly, I’d love to hear from you. Email me at press@asa.org
ADDITIONAL INDUSTRY NEWS & RESEARCH
Epic Solutions: Building Career Readiness Through Real-World Projects (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Newsroom, June 20, 2024)
U.S. Confidence in Higher Education Now Closely Divided (Gallup, July 8, 2024)
Summer Jobs Program at Rural Library Helps Students Discover Career Path (Montgomery Adviser, July 11, 2024)
NM High Schoolers Excel in Career Technical Education (Source NM, July 11, 2024)
New Research Findings Show Connections between Youth National Service and Workforce Readiness (Globe Newswire, July 10, 2024)
The Pathway to Career Readiness for All? Through Core Curriculum (Smart Brief, May 11, 2024)
EVENTS
Finally, below is a list of upcoming events and recaps of recent panel presentations and podcasts that elevate critical conversations in the youth career readiness space.
REGISTER TO ATTEND
New Pathways to Real-World Learning Experiences (Kansas City, September 17-19 – Learn more)
Culture Shifting Summit 2024 (New York, October 24-25 – Learn more)
SOCAP 2024 (San Francisco, October 28-30 – Learn more)
EVENT RECAPS
Identity: The Other Side of Career Readiness (Read the recap)
How Innovation Bridges the Gap Between Learning and Earning (Read the recap)
When it Comes to Career Exploration, Middle School is Prime Time. Are States Getting the Message? (Read the recap)