Julie Lammers on Nurturing Informed College Choices for Students

In this special episode recorded on site at SXSW EDU 2023, we speak with Julie Lammers from American Student Assistance (ASA) about her team’s work on supporting K-12 students to make better choices when it comes to their post-secondary education. 

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Key Takeaways

• Early Career Exploration is Critical: Middle school is a pivotal time for students to start identifying their interests and aligning them with potential career paths to prevent foreclosing opportunities later.
• The Role of Work-Based Learning: Experiences like internships, job shadowing, and entrepreneurship help students test-drive career options before making costly education investments.
• Policy Momentum: Workforce development and work-based learning initiatives are gaining bipartisan support, enabling more alignment between education systems and career outcomes.
• Leveraging Digital Tools: ASA's innovative platforms, like TikTok campaigns and career planning tools, are helping students navigate their future with relatable and accessible resources.
• Workforce Readiness Post-Pandemic: Virtual internships and remote work opportunities are teaching students essential skills for a hybrid work environment while expanding access for rural and underserved populations.

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Episode Summary

Introducing ASA and Its Mission

ASA has shifted its focus over the years from student loan counseling to a more proactive mission of preparing students for career and education success. Julie shares how ASA supports students through early career exploration, digital programming, and philanthropy aimed at fostering opportunities for informed decision-making.

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Why Career Exploration Must Start in Middle School

Research shows that students begin narrowing their career possibilities as early as middle school. Julie emphasizes the importance of exposing young learners to diverse career options before high school, using tools and frameworks that highlight their interests, strengths, and potential earning opportunities.

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Work-Based Learning and Its Impact

Julie advocates for high school as a testing ground for career exploration. By engaging in internships or job shadowing, students can better understand what they enjoy or dislike about certain roles. These experiences reduce the risk of costly missteps in post-secondary education and help students make deliberate decisions about their futures.

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Addressing the Digital Shift and Remote Work Skills

The pandemic has introduced a new dynamic: virtual work-based learning. Julie highlights how digital internships and hybrid work environments are opening doors for rural students and others who previously lacked access to workplace opportunities. However, students also need guidance on building remote work skills, such as time management and virtual communication.

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The Role of Policy in Career Readiness

Federal and state policies play a crucial role in bridging the gap between education and workforce development. Julie points to recent bipartisan initiatives and state programs, such as Delaware’s career pathways framework, as examples of aligning systems to create more seamless student experiences.

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Recommendations for Action

1. Support Early Career Exploration
   • Parents, educators, and community members can encourage middle and high school students to explore their interests and test their skills through various career-related activities.
2. Invest in Work-Based Learning Opportunities
   • Employers and organizations should offer internships, job shadowing, or project-based learning experiences to help students identify their career goals.
3. Adopt Digital Tools for Career Navigation
   • Schools and educators can leverage platforms like ASA’s Futurescape and Next Voice to guide students in their career and education planning.
4. Collaborate Across Systems
   • Policymakers and educators should break down silos between education, labor, and workforce systems to ensure students have holistic support for college and career readiness.
5. Champion Flexible Education Models
   • Advocate for more diverse pathways, such as short-term credentials and stackable certifications, to better meet the needs of today’s learners.

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