In today’s education landscape, students are looking for more than a diploma—they’re looking for direction. And while institutions have made strides in academic advising, career advising in education has often been treated as an afterthought.
That’s changing.
The South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS) is taking a bold, structured approach to career readiness—one that combines advisor credentialing, cross-campus coordination, and standardized career development strategies led by the Institute for Career Advising & Development. The result? A replicable model that is redefining how students engage with career planning from high school through college
Here are seven key takeaways from SCTCS’s journey—and why this multi-faceted approach to career advising offers a blueprint for school and college systems nationwide.
For too long, career advising in both high school and in colleges has functioned as a reactive service—something students encounter late in their academic journey, if at all
SCTCS flipped the script. By implementing a statewide structure for career development, they are beginning to ensure that students receive timely, intentional guidance tied to clear pathways. This includes strengthening institutional practices and creating a shared framework that can be applied consistently across both high school and college campuses.
This structure allows career conversations to begin earlier, happen more frequently, and support better-informed decisions about majors, credentials, and future jobs.
A critical element of SCTCS’s success is its investment in career advisor training and credentialing. In partnership with the Institute for Career Advising & Development (ICAD), a division of Kuder, SCTCS took part in the Career Advisor Training: Advanced (CAT:A) credential program
This 45-hour hybrid course equipped 25 professionals—from admissions staff to career center advisors to JAG specialists—with the competencies to support students through every stage of career planning
After earning the credential:
Credentialing doesn’t just improve performance—it builds consistency, credibility, and trust across the student experience.
At many institutions, career services operate in silos—separate from academics, disconnected from enrollment teams, and often understaffed
SCTCS took a different approach. By credentialing professionals across departments—including those supporting dual enrollment and high school outreach—career advising became a shared responsibility. Students now encounter informed career conversations at multiple touchpoints, from onboarding through graduation
This cross-functional model effectively integrates career development into the broader student experience.
Participants in the CAT:A credential program didn’t just gain new knowledge—they adopted a proven, repeatable framework for guiding students through career exploration, decision-making, and pathway alignment
Through virtual modules and an in-person capstone, advisors learned how to facilitate career conversations that are grounded in theory and responsive to real-world student needs. The structured approach gave them both confidence and clarity
This shared methodology now acts as a unifying thread across advising teams statewide, delivering a more consistent and student-centered advising experience.
Access to career guidance shouldn’t depend on a student’s background or initiative. Yet too often, it does
By prioritizing credentialing for staff who work with traditionally underrepresented students—including high school partners and community-based programs—SCTCS took meaningful steps to close access gaps in college and career planning
Structured, credentialed advising ensures that all students—especially those with limited exposure to workforce pathways—can build confidence, agency, and direction.
While the primary goal was to improve student outcomes, the professional impact of the credentialing program was just as significant
Advisors reported increased motivation and a renewed sense of purpose in their work. As one participant noted
“Overall, I was dreading another interactive workshop. But this experience was beneficial for my role and to the students we support! I was happy to have had this experience and grateful for the opportunity to implement this knowledge in my day-to-day work.”
Empowered advisors drive stronger outcomes—for students, teams, and education institutions.
The success of this initiative wasn’t built on a single training. It was anchored in a long-term commitment to system-wide transformation
South Carolina’s model demonstrates what’s possible when an organization:
By positioning career advising as a strategic function—rather than a reactive service—SCTCS is preparing students to thrive in an evolving workforce.
A Blueprint for Career Advising to Support Student
This case study illustrates how institutions can move beyond fragmented, ad hoc services toward a cohesive, credentialed, and scalable model for career development. By equipping advisors with proven strategies through the CAT:A program and embedding career planning throughout the student experience, SCTCS is helping individuals chart clear, achievable futures.
Want to learn more?
Explore the full case study or contact our team to see how your organization can implement this model and elevate career advising from a service to a system.
Table of Contents
