College and Career Readiness

This section examines the middle of the college and career readiness framework: the essential skills and knowledge students need for both college and career readiness and 
to transition into productive adulthood. Too often, students’ planning for postsecondary education and careers take place on parallel tracks without explicit links between 
students’ future occupational choices and the educational pathways they will need to 
take to achieve them.

CollegeReadiness College andCareer Readiness CareerReadiness College Planningand Preparation Academic Knowledge Academic Skills Academic and      Educational       Engagement Integrated Education and CareerPlanning and Preparation Ability to Apply and Link
Academic,  Technical, and CareerKnowledge and Skills Foundation (Soft) Skillsfor Postsecondary Academicand Career Success Career Planningand Preparation Technical Knowledge Technical Skills          Career     Awarenessand Engagement

For too many students, postsecondary education and training are seen more as what they plan to do the year after high school than vital next steps to building successful careers. They do not yet realize that their futures will likely include a combination of work and learning in the form of additional certifications, continuing education courses, training, and professional development to keep skills current, to progress in a career, or to transition into a new career. In addition, retraining may be warranted as young peoples’ interests change or the demands of the labor market evolve.

The framework diagram reflects the belief that ALL students need to be both college AND career ready to ensure successful and productive adulthood. Navigators can most effectively support young people by helping them understand where planning for college and planning for careers comes together.

The concept map below depicts three components of college and career readiness and 
their corresponding elements, each of which focuses on a subset of knowledge, skills, 
and abilities.

A Concept Map of College and Career Readiness

Integrated College and Career Planning and Preparation

Understanding that education and training are connected with career options and goals
Understanding the importance of having plans for connecting career goals to the education and training needed to achieve them
Making specific education and career plans

Ability to Apply and Link Academic, Technical, and Career Knowledge and Skills

Understanding how academic knowledge and skills are applied to careers and the postsecondary education and training needed to enter and succeed in those careers
Applying knowledge and skills learned in high school courses in a range of career and education settings

Foundational Skills for College and Career Success

Demonstrating communication skills
Using higher order thinking skills
Demonstrating self-management skills
Using social skills

The use of written education and career plans (ECPs) helps students chart paths between where they are and where they want to be. The ECPs can help students identify the specific steps needed to achieve their academic and career goals, including coursework and both curricular and extracurricular experiences. Based on the students’ education and career goals, the plans should be aligned with both high school graduation and postsecondary entrance requirements.

Component: Integrated Education and Career Planning and Preparation

Integrated planning and preparation for college and careers requires explicit connections between a student’s postsecondary and career goals and identification of the steps that are needed to achieve both sets of goals. Click the links below for more information on the elements of integrated education and career planning and preparation.

Component: Ability to Apply and Link Academic, Technical, and Career Knowledge and Skills

Attaining college and career readiness requires young people to apply knowledge and skills across disciplines, learning environments, and workplace contexts. Click the links below for more information on the elements of applying and linking academic, technical, and career knowledge and skills.

Component: Foundational Skills for College and Career Success

While the foundational skills may be similar, their application and use will differ between college and career contexts. Foundational skills refer to a broad set of skills, competencies, behaviors, attitudes, and personal qualities that enable people to succeed and excel in the world beyond high school. Foundational skills are transferable across education environments, across sectors, and across jobs. Foundational skills can be improved through learning opportunities and experiences in a wide range of classroom, extracurricular, work, and community-based settings. Click the links below for more information on the elements of foundational skills for college and career success.