Empowering the Future: Highlights from Career Navigation Day

The Montgomery County Educational Service Center (MCESC) recently held a Career Navigation Day. There were 25 educators and counselors from schools in Montgomery County that came together to talk about career navigation. The event showcased how schools are helping to not only graduate students, but to prepare young people for life beyond the classroom.

Participants discuss how to improve career pathways in their schools

“66% of young people (ages 16–24) don’t know what career they want to pursue,” stated Leah Eggers, Director at Jobs for the Future (JFF). Eggers highlighted the years of collaboration between the MCESC and the JFF to reach the current plan and shared a national overview about how career pathways are important. Eggers emphasized the importance of finding pathways to accommodate most of the student populations. Schools can start as early as middle school and could give high school students college credit. Through JFF’s Pathways to Prosperity initiative, the goal is to re-imagine these systems to get to their goal of helping 75 million Americans, especially students facing barriers, access quality jobs by 2033.

“Pathways help them connect content to real-world careers.” said Erin Dooley, Chief of College and Career Readiness at Dayton Public Schools. She explained how they are looking forward to expanding their pathways, “Hands-on, career-connected learning experiences are already embedded into existing schools. It’s powerful when students understand the why behind what they’re learning."

Bunny Brooks, a teacher on Special Assignment for Workforce at Lebanon High School, added that these pathways are answering a need many students feel. “After high school isn't about going to college, it's about proper training about what you want to do and how to live your life. It’s about finding what is best for you.” Brooks talked about earning credentials, exploring careers, and gaining real skills makes learning feel valuable for students. For many, their path is not college, but trade school or military.

Leah Eggers discussing how students are thinking about their future.

A regional team of career navigators has been piloting this work through Learn to Earn Dayton’s PACCE program presenting their best practices in creating opportunities for meaningful career exploration.

One of the MCESC career navigators, Katie Grothaus, explained the tool YouScience and how to utilize the data to link students’ knowledge interests and aptitudes to real-world career opportunities. According to their website, YouScience is “the only college and career readiness (CCR) platform designed to meet compliance standards while delivering real impact for students.”

Nicole Will discussed her role as a Workforce Development Navigator at the Kettering City School District. She spoke about how Kettering students benefit from monthly job shadowing opportunities, industry tours, and career-themed events. Their efforts are reshaping how students envision their futures.

Roshanda Jones shares the Employer Engagement Menu and how to utilize the practice in schools.

Shannon Cox, MCESC Superintendent, shared the history of the work and the importance of using the coursework pathway and Bryan Stewart, Director of Workforce, focused on a regional system where career readiness is supported by strong partnerships. Stewart introduced an Employer Engagement Menu, connecting schools with local businesses, city leaders, the military, alumni, and higher education institutions to give students real exposure to the working world.

Ronesha Jones, Senior Manager at JFF, talked more about the Employer Engagement Menu and provided a framework for building these pathways across districts. Her guide shows how schools can align coursework, advising, and postsecondary planning to help students move seamlessly from education into meaningful careers.

Career Navigation Day was all about taking action. The Montgomery County community shared that not all students need a one-size-fits-all path. Students need information, opportunity, and support to build a future that’s right for them.

- Reflections from Caitlyn Russell, Communications Intern