A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners Phil Jarvis Vice President, Global Partnerships National Life/Work Center New Brunswick, Canada Why a National Approach to Career Navigation?

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners 2-year institutions - 2 in 10 graduate within 3 years. 4-year schools - 4 in 10 students get a degree in 6 years. (With Their Whole Lives Ahead Of Them, Public Agenda report for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Survey May/June, 2009) 28% of U.S. students believe schoolwork is meaningful and only 39 percent believe it will have any bearing on their success later in life. (Condition of Education National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education) What We’re Doing Isn’t Working

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners Half of students are engaged, involved and enthusiastic about school. The other half are going through the motions or actively undermining the learning process. Student engagement peaks in elementary school and decreases until the 10 th grade where it tends to plateau – after those who can legally dropout do. (Gallup Student Poll for America ’ s Promise Alliance, March 2009) Although ASCA, ACA, APA, AMA all recommend a pupil-to-counselor ratio of 250-to-1, the national average is 460 students to 1 counselor, with some school districts as high as 1,000-to-1. (ASCA, March 2010) What We’re Doing Isn’t Working

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners Of 100 students that enter the pipeline (talent supply chain) in grade 9 each year 20 or fewer will graduate on schedule from post-secondary programs and receive degrees, diplomas, or certificates. 50% will not in jobs directly related to their programs of study 2 years after graduation. Responses from 600 higher education students surveyed by Public Agenda suggest the existing high school guidance system is a perilously weak part of the nation ’ s efforts to increase college attendance and ramp up degree completion. (With Their Whole Lives Ahead Of Them, Public Agenda report for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Survey May/June, 2009) What We’re Doing Isn’t Working

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners What We’re Doing Isn’t Working Is it any wonder that when adults lose their jobs, as so many have in the last 18 months, many are totally adrift – without the wherewithal to safely navigate completely uncharted waters? Many of those who still have jobs are underemployed or in inappropriate, unfulfilling jobs and feel trapped because they can ’ t quit to explore alternatives or upgrade their knowledge, skills and qualifications Yet they must work harder than ever at something they don ’ t like! 70% of adults would choose otherwise (NCDA/Gallup)

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners The 1% Difference Productivity$ 150 Billion Education$ 9 Billion Health$ 11 Billion Social Services$ 15 Billion Protection, Prisons$ 5 Billion Government Revenues$ 60 Billion Total: $ 250 Billion annually.. not to mention human costs Economic Consequences

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners Demographics The U.S. is unique among advanced countries with a growing population, even without immigration. Due to aging populations and declining birth rates since 1967 (birth control pill) most other G8 countries will have declining populations (despite immigration). However, U.S. population growth is largely among Hispanics and African Americans. Prospects are for high unemployment among the underskilled side-by-side with massive unfilled demand for workers with 21 st century skills.

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners New/Changing Jobs Nano-mechanic Old age wellness manager Memory augmentation surgeon Weather modification police Waste data handler Environmental Awareness Coordinator Social networking worker Personal brander/communications advisor Stem cell bank manager Career Clusters/Pathways/Industry Sectors

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners Career Management Paradigm Shift Young people now entering the workforce will likely have 10 to 15 or more jobs, in different occupations, even industry sectors, during their working lives. How can they confidently answer the question, “ What will you be when you grow up? ” How can adults identify their next most promising prospect before they are blindsided?

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners Choosing Career Management Paradigm Shift Learning Occupation Skills & Character Work Life Information Imagination Lists Introductions

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners 1.Know yourself, believe in yourself, and follow your heart 2.Focus on the journey, not the destination - become a good traveler (Stepping Stones) 3.Change is constant, and always brings new opportunities 4.Access your allies, and be a good ally 5.Learning is lifelong The High Five Career Management Principles

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners Promising Practices Panelists – Virginia Community College System ’ s Education Wizard, Springboard Forward (engaged employment) DoL ’ s Career Onestop and O*Net, National CIS, Xap ’ s Choices, ACT ’ s Discover, Career Cruising, CareerZone (NY, CA, PA) Stephanie Pace-Marshall – IMSA (Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy) - alumnae founding leaders of Netscape, PayPal, YELP and YouTube, among others Real Game Series – California, North Carolina (Futures Inc., Pipeline, CIS, Chamber of Commerce) BMOA, STEM Connection

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners Promising Practices Multiple Intelligences: Smart Options – It ’ s not if your smart, it ’ s how. Self esteem – new eyes Academic Innovations – Career Choices and 10- Year Plan – Need national career development curriculum guidelines for primary grades, middle school, secondary, post-secondary and employers Internationally – IAEVG, Symposia, Standards and Guideline for CD Practitioners (Service), Blueprint for Life/Work Designs (Agency), MyFuture/My Guide (Australia)

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners Conclusion Brilliant and dedicated people and initiatives exist across the nation, but they tend to be isolated fragments of a potentially much larger solution. What is needed is a coherent National Career Navigation Approach for Working Learners, indeed citizens of all ages, into which existing exemplary resources, programs and curricula, and new ones, fit, and which employers, educators, and the public at large are aware of and support. It cannot be prescribed but must be created through research, consensus-building and collaboration.

A National Approach to Career Navigation for Working Learners Conclusion Hats off to the Center for American Progress for championing this vital national initiative to make the American dream attainable for many more citizens and ensure America remains a beacon of hope for the world in this new millennium.