We spend a lot of time helping schools shift from performative “college and career readiness” posters on the wall to real, actionable systems that change outcomes. At the core of this work is one non-negotiable belief: students and their families are the customers, not the system. And if we want real change, we need buy-in from our customers.

Education is Career Prep. Period.

The purpose of school isn’t just to pass tests or get good grades. It’s to prepare students to thrive—personally, academically, and professionally. Especially in Black and brown or immigrant communities where school is viewed as the ticket to a better life. That means our work has to center on the big picture: “How will this help my child build a successful career or start a business?”

If the systems we design don’t answer that question clearly and consistently, we’re wasting time.

Step One: Treat Families Like Partners, Not Problems

Many schools unintentionally treat families like outsiders—only reaching out when something’s wrong or when a form needs to be signed. Flip that script.

• Host short, purpose-driven family nights focused on careers. Bring in alumni who look like your students. Let parents hear about different pathways—college, trade, military, entrepreneurship—from people who’ve lived it.
• Use “real talk” communication. Skip the jargon. Keep it simple and culturally relevant. A newsletter with job shadowing or internship options means more when it’s translated in the home language and paired with a short video from a trusted staff member.
• Respect working families’ time. Make things available online, and record info sessions. If you’re asking a family to show up, make it worth their while—childcare, food, useful info, and a voice in the process or build these kinds of events into your high attended annual events so your not doing more, just adding and improving.

Step Two: Build Career Systems, Not One-Off Events

Career fairs and career days are cute, but they aren’t systems. Systems mean repeatable, sustainable actions that move students forward.

• Create a K–12th grade career development plan. Map out what each grade level should experience—interest inventories, guest speakers, resume building, mock interviews, financial literacy, etc. Align it with in-class lessons, advisory, and school counseling time, so it doesn’t depend on one champion staff member.
• Track exposure, not just grades. A student should graduate with a portfolio that includes career experiences, reflections, and evidence of workplace skills. If they can’t talk confidently about what they’re good at or what kind of work interests them, we’ve missed the mark.
• Lean on community assets. locally-owned businesses, community professionals, local trade unions—these folks want to help. Create short-term volunteer asks: be a guest on a panel, review student resumes, or mentor a senior. Make it easy to plug in. Find diverse volunteers, not just culturally, thinking about religious and career diversity so students get a wide breadth of exposure.

Real Change Feels Personal

If families and students feel seen, heard, and valued, they will invest in your system. If they don’t, it doesn’t matter how “research-based” your strategy is.

Want real career readiness? Build systems that answer the question families are already asking: “How will this help my child succeed in life?” Then show them the receipts.

Let’s stop making it complicated—and start making it real.