21 national organizations endorse Principles for Quality Education-to-Career Guidance and Coaching
Nearly two years ago, an advisory group composed of leaders and practitioners from postsecondary education, nonprofit organizations, and workforce development came together to identify the practices, services, and resources that are key to supporting learners through a successful transition from education to career. The end result was the Principles for Quality Education-to-Career Guidance, which provides a vision for a postsecondary experience anchored in timely labor market information, personalized guidance, and support for every student.
The Principles, which identify essential strategies for supporting students as they transition from education to employment, emphasize that quality education-to-career guidance is:
- Centered on education-to-career outcomes
- Driven by student agency
- Foundational and universal
- Rooted in relationships
- Informed by data and evidence
Because the guiding principles were grounded in evidence-based practices and emerging innovative approaches from academic advising, coaching, career services, and other student success fields, a wide range of organizations have endorsed them. The guiding principles have earned the support of 21 national organizations representing postsecondary institutions, college and career success programs, and secondary school entities. Each of these organizations have expressed their support for the principles and are sharing them with their membership and partners. Collectively, these organizations represent institutions and individuals serving millions of postsecondary learners
For example, a statement from the American Association of Community Colleges said the Principles “offer coherent and concise recommendations for colleges seeking to enhance the resources they provide, ensuring that students receive relevant, just-in-time coaching support tailored to their career goals.”
A statement from the United Negro College Fund said the Principles “mirror the proven strategies that Historically Black Colleges and Universities have long embodied: centering student agency, connecting learning to meaningful work, and leveraging trusted relationships to guide students from classrooms to careers.”
Other organizations have pointed out that the Principles reflect a shared vision for postsecondary success.
The American Association of Colleges and Universities’ statement said the “robust student-centered, equity-focused, data-driven guiding Principles” align with AAC&U’s curriculum-to-career learning strategies, allowing colleges and universities to “better empower learners to make informed choices and sustain momentum toward career goals.”
A statement from the American Council on Education said that “by centering education-to-career guidance on equity, student agency, and evidence, these Principles strengthen ACE’s work in shaping responsive policy, supporting non-traditional learners, and advancing flexible, career-aligned pathways.”
The National Association for College Admission Counseling’s statement said that the Principles “provide critical framing for two challenges facing their field by creating a stronger connection between educational pathways and career/life aspirations, and assessing policies and practices using data and evidence.” The organization emphasized that its identity is rooted in relationships, and that the Principles “acknowledge the importance of these relationships by placing students squarely at the center.”
Across the board, all 21 endorsing organizations held up the Principles for Quality Education-to-Career Guidance as an example of partnership and a shared vision for student success. These organizations and their partners are a critical part of ensuring that quality education-to-career guidance is a core element of every student’s postsecondary experience.
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The following organizations have endorsed the Principles for Quality Education-to-Career Guidance. We asked these organizations: How can the Guiding Principles support your work? Here are some of their responses.
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