"Partnerships & Personal News" issue (October)
A newsletter (for adults) about career readiness (for kids)
Dear Readers,
Partnership is a topic that’s been on my mind lately. I witness every day how the optimal union of organizations, leaders, mentors, and educators can yield incredible opportunities for kids, while driving real change and powerful social impact.
To that end, I’m proud to announce a seven-year strategic partnership between ASA and NAF — an established national education nonprofit that has helped over 650,000 high school students prepare for the future. Together, we will work with school districts, employers, community organizations, and philanthropic partners to ensure more students have access to the kinds of experiences and support they need to take their next steps in life. (Read the news release. For more information on NAF and how to support or get involved, contact development@naf.org)
I’m also proud to share that we recently welcomed Education at Work (E@W) into the ASA family. E@W is an organization that has worked tirelessly for 15 years to deliver high-quality jobs and career readiness while helping to bring down the cost of education. Together, we will strive to expand their reach and presence in more cities. (Read the announcement and explore FAQs about the partnership.)
These partnerships and initiatives couldn’t come at a better time…
Forbes describes the postsecondary crossroads at which America now finds itself, emphasizing that ‘college for all’ simply doesn’t cut it anymore. (Read the story.) At the same time, The Burning Glass Institute (BGI) shares that, for the first time in modern history, a bachelor’s degree is no longer a reliable path to professional employment. (Read the report.) It’s a bold statement, but one that reinforces what so many educators, employers, parents, and young people themselves already know or suspect. We explored the topic of on-ramps to gainful employment in an award-winning Launchpad Jobs report that we co-authored with BGI — a partnership and project of which I’m deeply proud. (Read about the report.)
I see the power of collaboration in action through the countless career exploration and work-based learning programs emerging nationwide, all of which require close collaboration between educators, industry, and community. Here are some outstanding examples:
Teens in St. Lucie County are participating in a paid internship program with area employers, building vital skills in HR, construction, project management, and beyond. (Read the story.) A high school student and aspiring cardiologist was paired with a mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital, thanks to a new program that assigns professional mentors to students with an interest in the medical field. (Read her story.) Indiana continues to shine as a state committed to making apprenticeships a common offering in high school — using its ties with employers in engineering, law, manufacturing, and healthcare to do so. (Read the story.) The 74 reports that an Albuquerque high school’s innovative magnet program, Engineering the Future, is serving as a model for the whole of New Mexico, thanks to the school’s partnerships with local trade unions. (Read the story.) The same publication also offers a look inside Grammy Camp, a national program in which nearly 200 musically inclined teens are hosted by industry professionals, and gain hands-on experience in the music making, production, and recording businesses. (Watch the clip.) All these initiatives are only possible through the power of partnership.
As always, I’m thrilled to share with you the latest episodes of “Youth Career Readiness: The One-Question Podcast” — my collaboration with author Michael Horn. We’ve been busy! Most recently, we spoke with legendary actor and musician Ice-T about following those you admire. (Watch the podcast.) We spoke with Kathleen deLaski, founder of the Education Design Lab, former ABC News White House correspondent, and author of Who Needs College Anymore, about teens’ futures in an AI-driven world. (Watch the podcast.) We spoke with NFL Super Bowl champion Trey Flowers about the power of embracing mistakes. (Watch the podcast.) We also spoke with world-renowned pianist Lang Lang, who shared his advice for balancing work with passion (Watch the podcast), and with former NFL coach Jim Mora, who explained how kids can learn to be team players. (Watch the podcast.) You can also see our past interviews with well-known guests like Alec Ingold, Kensington Tallman, and others. (Explore the One Question library. Scroll down to the “Episodes” section of the page.)
In parting, I have some news of my own to share. It is with a mix of pride and gratitude that I announce that I am stepping down as the President and CEO of American Student Assistance, and passing the torch to my esteemed colleague Julie Lammers. (Read the full announcement.) Over the course of the last decade, I have dedicated my time to evolving ASA to become the nationally recognized youth career readiness organization it is today. Together, we have set millions of young people on a pathway to success through our Futurescape® and EvolveMe® platforms, and invested $150 million in mission-aligned funds and companies. This work has helped to bring about a more promising horizon for American kids. This new era is one in which every kid can have a say in deciding their postsecondary pursuits. It is one in which every kid can be empowered to find their Ikigai — a Japanese concept that describes the powerful intersection of what a person is good at, what the world needs, what they can be paid for, and what they love. (Learn more about this concept.) As I reflect on my own career, I can say with confidence that I found mine.
To all PivotED readers and to ASA’s supporters, I extend my gratitude for the support you have given to our shared mission. That work will continue, and I will continue to support ASA as Executive Chair and an advisor to ASA’s Board of Directors and the newly appointed President and CEO. I am excited to see how ASA will continue to deepen its impact under Julie’s leadership.
Sincerely,
Jean
ADDITIONAL INDUSTRY NEWS & RESEARCH
4 in 5 Hiring Managers Say High Schoolers Not Prepared for Workforce (K-12 Dive, September 22, 2025)
The Data Is In: Gen Z Face a More Competitive Job Market Than Their Predecessors (World Economic Forum, September 24, 2025)
Matched with Rhode Island’s Top Employers, Local Students Take First Steps Toward Future Careers (Brown University Newsroom, September 1, 2025)
Empowering Students Through Career Readiness Initiatives (Higher Education Digest, September 29, 2025)
New Report Reveals the Struggle Worldwide to Prepare Young People for Work (The 74, September 23, 2025)
How Modern Youth Apprenticeships Can Solve The U.S. Skills Gap (Forbes, September 8, 2025)
How One State Revamped High School to Reflect Reality: Not Everyone Goes to College (The Hechinger Report, August 12, 2025)
Rewriting the Roadmap: Jean Eddy on Reimagining Career Education (EdTech Digest, July 22, 2025)
EVENTS
Finally, below is a list of upcoming events, and recaps of recent panel presentations and webinars, that elevate critical conversations in the youth career readiness space.
REGISTER TO ATTEND
SOCAP25 (San Francisco, October 27-29 - Learn more)
2025 Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Annual Conference (Indianapolis, November 5-8 - Learn more)
EVENT RECAPS
Navigating the Next Decade of Learning: A Call to Collaboration (Read the recap)
A Perfect Launch: How ‘Launchpad Jobs’ Determine Career Success (Read the recap)