Across Appalachian Ohio, career navigators play a vital role in helping students discover their strengths, explore career pathways, and connect with real‑world opportunities. In December, more than 50 navigators gathered to reflect on their work and share insights drawn from Future Plans’ assessment and coaching process—a foundational tool used in high schools throughout the region.
During the conversation, navigators emphasized how powerful it is when students gain clarity about their natural abilities, interests, and future possibilities. They shared stories of students who shifted career direction after receiving their assessment results, found new motivation through hands‑on learning, or built confidence after exploring fields they never knew existed.
The summary highlights five major themes:
- How the Future Plans assessment helps students understand their strengths and interests
- Why career exposure experiences—job shadowing, field trips, hands‑on programs—are transformational
- Ways schools use assessment data to match students with opportunities, from apprenticeships to specialized field trips
- How a consistent process supports scalable, schoolwide career development
- Evidence of a growing regional movement toward more informed, confident, and prepared students
These insights reveal a simple truth: when students understand themselves—and see where they fit in the world of work—they become more engaged, more hopeful, and more successful.
👉 Read the full article on the Future Plans website: