Career Readiness

Mon., October 26, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
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Leaders in education have a panel discussion about offering a path for students from schools into careers.
Industry leaders discuss the new Compact for America’s Youth during a launch event in Washington on Sept. 10, 2026. The compact brings organizations together to work on solutions to scale up career-connected learning.
Courtesy of CareerWise
College & Workforce Readiness How Can Schools Connect Students to Careers? A New Compact Has a Plan—and Money
The compact comes at time of rising uncertainty for young workers due to AI.
Lauraine Langreo, September 22, 2026
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5 min read
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College & Workforce Readiness Whitepaper Why Career Exploration Should Start in Middle School
Discover practical ways to spark career exploration early, connect students’ interests to future pathways, and build skills that prepare ...
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Froylan Vasquez (foreground) and Gaby Ortiz, students at the High school of Science and Technology in Springfield, remove a tire in the automotive shop at Putnam Vocational Technical Academy. This is part of the After Dark Vocational Program at the two schools on April 9,2024.
Froylan Vasquez, foreground, and Gaby Ortiz, students at the High School of Science and Technology in Springfield, Mass., remove a tire in the automotive shop at Putnam Vocational Technical Academy. This is part of the After Dark Vocational Program at the two schools on April 9, 2024. Students who don't tend to go directly to college say they generally get less information on post-high school options.
Don Treeger / The Republican via TNS
College & Workforce Readiness Is There a Counseling Gap for Non-College-Going Students?
And many high schoolers say they don't complete the work-based learning they want to experience.
Sarah Schwartz, August 31, 2026
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3 min read
A Workforce Development job fair at Pepin’s Hospitality Centre, 4121 N 50th St , on Thursday, April 2, 2026 in Tampa . Thousands of Hillsborough County Public Schools seniors meet face-to-face with employers for on-the-spot interviews, job offers, internships, and training opportunities.
People attend a workforce development job fair at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre on April 2, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. As job seekers experience labor market volatility, a report underscores the importance of career literacy.
Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via TNS
College & Workforce Readiness The Job Market Is Changing. Report Makes the Case for Career Literacy
Career literacy is strongly linked to positive workforce outcomes, concludes a new report.
Lauraine Langreo, August 27, 2026
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4 min read
Image of careers like welding, electricians, carpenters, and technicians
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College & Workforce Readiness Can Social Media Influencers Hook Teens on the Skilled Trades?
Skilled trades jobs are in demand. Young skilled trades pros/influencers pique teens' interest.
Elizabeth Heubeck, August 19, 2026
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3 min read
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College & Workforce Readiness Whitepaper Your CTE Pathways Are Strong. These AP Courses Can Make Them Stronger.
See how the skills taught in AP Career Kickstart courses connect students to in-demand jobs in high-growth fields projected to add 2M+ op...
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College & Workforce Readiness Spotlight Spotlight on What Works: How District Leaders Are Redefining Student Readiness
See how districts are balancing college prep, career pathways, AI, and academic rigor to prepare students for success.
July 31, 2026
Benjimon Kelly, center, a 19-year-old industrial maintenance student at Texas State Technical College, speaks with WSP recruiters Jeff Caraway, right, senior VP project management, and Charles Schoubroek, left, department manager Texas region, during a spring job fair at the campus in Red Oak on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Teens share how they feel about AI impacting the job market, a new survey shows.
Benjimon Kelly, center, a 19-year-old industrial maintenance student at Texas State Technical College, speaks with recruiters during a spring job fair at the campus in Red Oak on March 24, 2026. High school and college students are increasingly concerned about the impact AI will likely have on their future job opportunities.
Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning News via TNS
College & Workforce Readiness How Well Are Schools Preparing Students for an AI-Driven World? Teens Weigh In
Most teens say they learn best when they can apply what they're learning to real-world situations.
Jennifer Vilcarino, July 31, 2026
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2 min read
LE - A person walks outside of the Gates Foundation campus on April 30, 2025, in Seattle.
A person walks outside of the Gates Foundation campus in Seattle on April 30, 2025. The foundation announced future investments in efforts to help students secure the education and credentials needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce.
Lindsey Wasson/AP
College & Workforce Readiness Gates Foundation Puts Heavier Emphasis on Career Readiness. Math Is Still a Priority
The foundation has set a broad goal to help students prepare for a rapidly evolving workforce.
Alyson Klein, July 29, 2026
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7 min read
A student climbs the block steps placed before them. The lettered blocks spell out "FUTURE." Career Technical Education.
Daniel Diosdado for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Opinion Is Career and Technical Education Stuck in the Past?
Often, CTE programs can look good on paper without serving the students who could use them most.
Cami Anderson, July 23, 2026
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5 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Opinion There's a Lot of Talk About 'Career Readiness.' Have We Thought It Through?
Just because you promote opportunities for career pathways doesn’t mean students are learning.
Rick Hess, July 21, 2026
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5 min read
Diana Barrios gave a session on how artificial intelligence plays a role in career exploration and hHundreds attend ISTELive 26 + ASCD Annual Conference at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on June 29, 2026.
Diana Barrios, a career exploration coordinator for the Houston school district, discusses career exploration at the ISTELive 26 + ASCD annual conference at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., on June 29, 2026. Barrios argued that schools need to do more than match students' interests with potential careers. Career exploration is a social act, she said.
Marvin Joseph/Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness What’s Missing in Career Education? A Case for ‘Career Identity’
The "aha!" moment for students doesn't come just from career interest inventories, one teacher says.
Lauraine Langreo, July 1, 2026
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3 min read
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School counselors Kendall Gray, left, and Gala Davis catch up and talk in Davis' office at South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas on March 6, 2025. As interest in career education rises and schools expand their career and technical education offerings, a new report argues schools lack the staff needed to help students with career counseling that points students toward realistic careers.
Liz Rymarev via TNS
College & Workforce Readiness Schools Are Expanding Career Ed. Are They Guiding Students to the Right Careers?
Counselor shortages are a barrier keeping schools from implementing relevant and effective career prep.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, June 18, 2026
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5 min read