Case Studies

See how we've designed career connected learning programs that integrate postsecondary advising, counselor training, and workforce partnerships.

Postsecondary Advising for Schools and Mentoring Organizations

Context

A network of high schools and mentoring organizations needed a scalable postsecondary advising program to support students navigating college applications, financial aid, and career exploration. Existing supports were fragmented, counselor capacity was limited, and students faced barriers accessing cohesive guidance.

What We Built

We designed a blended advising model that combined digital resources with counselor-led supports and mentoring partnerships:

  • College application and financial aid navigation tools tailored to diverse student needs
  • Personalized advising pathways aligned to student postsecondary goals
  • Professional learning modules for counselors and mentors on postsecondary transitions
  • Integration with existing school systems and mentoring organization workflows

Outcomes

  • Increased percentage of students completing college applications and FAFSA submissions
  • Counselors reported higher confidence supporting students through postsecondary planning
  • Mentoring organizations expanded their capacity to provide college access supports
  • Program scaled across multiple school sites and partner organizations

Workforce Partnerships: Sector Skills and Core Employability

Context

A regional workforce partnership sought to connect high school students to industry pathways through sector-specific skills training and core employability development. Students needed exposure to career opportunities, hands-on learning experiences, and connections to employer partners.

What We Built

We developed a career connected learning program linking schools to workforce organizations and employer partners:

  • Sector skills curriculum aligned to high-demand industry pathways (healthcare, technology, skilled trades)
  • Core employability framework covering communication, problem-solving, and professional skills
  • Work-based learning opportunities including job shadowing, internships, and apprenticeships
  • Mentoring connections pairing students with industry professionals
  • Counselor resources to support students exploring workforce pathways

Outcomes

  • Students gained sector-specific credentials and certifications recognized by employers
  • Work-based learning placements led to post-graduation employment opportunities
  • Employer partners reported higher-quality candidate pipelines from participating schools
  • Schools integrated career exploration into broader college and career readiness efforts

KIPP Forward: Train-the-Trainer Counselor Professional Learning

Context

KIPP Forward needed to shift their counselor training model from centralized in-person delivery to a scalable, regionally-led approach. The goal was to build internal capacity for professional learning while maintaining quality and alignment across a growing network.

What We Built

We designed a blended train-the-trainer model that empowered regional teams to deliver counselor professional learning:

  • Turnkey training modules covering postsecondary advising, financial aid, and career pathways
  • Regional facilitator guides with step-by-step delivery protocols and resources
  • Blended learning pathways combining asynchronous content with regional facilitation
  • Coaching supports for regional trainers during initial rollout
  • Assessment and feedback tools to monitor implementation quality

Outcomes

  • KIPP Forward transitioned from centralized to regional professional learning delivery
  • Annual train-the-trainer modules now delivered in each region with consistent quality
  • Counselors reported sustained engagement with training content and resources
  • Regional teams developed ownership and capacity to iterate training based on local needs
  • Model reduced travel costs and increased accessibility for counselors across the network

Ready to Design a Career Connected Learning Program?

Whether you're building postsecondary advising supports, training counselors, or connecting students to workforce opportunities, we can help design a program tailored to your context.

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