Speaker

Description

Students, educators, and employers alike are searching for new ways to strengthen the connection between classrooms and career exploration. At the same time, with the rapid change of industries – students will need more ways to explore new occupations and pathways, as well as more opportunities to gain in-demand skills and credentials.

This session will give audience members an exclusive look at the new programs and tools College Board is building to help students access more career opportunities – and the postsecondary pathways to get there, as well as the new careers research that informs this work:

• Career Kickstart (CK) is a new high school program that gives all students the opportunity to earn a tri-credit for in-demand careers (high school credit, college credit, and industry-recognized credentials). The first CK course – piloting in 2024 - will be within the Cybersecurity pathway. Careers in cybersecurity are among the fastest-growing and most in-demand jobs in the nation - earning well-above average salaries.


• BigFuture is a free online resource that helps students explore careers and the multiple pathways to get there. To date, millions of students nationwide have accessed BigFuture’s free career and postsecondary tools. More than 65% of students reported feeling hopeful and motivated about exploring their future careers.


• This session will also reveal insights from New research on Student Attitudes Towards Postsecondary Pathways – including, only 20% of students have heard a lot about non-4-year options.

Join College Board’s Big Future and Career Kickstart teams as we release the full set of survey results with insights into how this generation of students is planning for their future, particularly for students interested in pursuing paths besides a four-year college. Learn from CTE teachers on how they are currently supporting students to explore their passions in whichever pathway they choose and the tools that are making it happen.