A message from Connor Harrington, CEO of Kuder, Inc.

Last week at the ASU+GSV Summit, I had the chance to join the panel on “Recalculating Routes: The State of Education to Career Navigation” with Julie Lammers, Marie Groark, Dan Fisher, and Jane Swift.  There was great energy in the room—leaders, educators, innovators, and employers all rallying around a shared mission: reimagining how we guide people from education to meaningful employment. 

It was a powerful reminder that momentum is building. The traditional roadmap—a straight line from school to a single lifelong career—isn’t just outdated; it’s unrealistic. The world is evolving too quickly. Industries shift, technology disrupts, and people grow, pivot, and redefine what success looks like—often multiple times. 

In that landscape, flexible, human-centered guidance isn’t just nice to have. It’s essential. 

During our discussion, I shared what’s become a core belief in my own journey—and at Kuder: 

“Every individual’s career journey is unique, necessitating tools and resources that support exploration, skill development, and informed decision-making at every stage.” 

This isn’t just about offering better tools—it’s about embracing a new mindset. And the good news? That shift is already happening. We’re seeing it in classrooms, on campuses, within companies, and in the stories of individuals who are courageously carving their own paths forward. 

Career planning isn’t a one-time task. It’s a lifelong journey. 

It begins with self-discovery: helping people identify their interests, understand their skills and values, and visualize environments where they can thrive. It’s about providing meaningful opportunities to explore what’s possible—and building the confidence to pivot when life calls for it. 

It’s not transactional. It’s transformational. 

But let’s be honest: that’s not yet the reality for everyone. Too often, access to this kind of support depends on your zip code, your school district, or your family’s resources. And even when support exists, it can feel impersonal, outdated, or disconnected from real-life needs. 

That gap? It’s one of our biggest challenges—but also one of our most solvable. 

On our panel, one thing was made clear: career guidance can’t be a luxury. It has to be built into the education experience—not bolted on later—and it needs to meet people where they are. That means students who are the first in their families to attend college. Adult learners returning to the workforce. Multilingual learners. Individuals balancing jobs, caregiving, and education. 

If we want a system that works, it must reflect people’s real lives. 

And here’s the thing: we can’t do it alone. 

This initiative demands collaboration. Education, workforce, and business must come together in more intentional, strategic ways. Employers play a vital role—not just in hiring, but in helping people connect the dots between learning and earning. Through internships, apprenticeships, mentorships, and transparency about in-demand skills, companies can help shape programs that truly prepare learners for what’s next. 

We also dug into the role of technology—its power to scale guidance in transformational ways. But tech can’t replace relationships. It should support them. 

The best tools in this space listen first. They engage with empathy. They use data to unlock new options, not to limit them. They serve as compasses, not GPS systems—helping people explore new directions, but always putting them in control of their journey. 

Because ultimately, this isn’t just about helping people find their next job. 

It’s about helping them build lives filled with purpose, adaptability, and pride. 

And that support? It shouldn’t stop at graduation. It needs to carry people through every chapter—starting out, switching industries, learning new skills, or redefining success on their own terms. 

As I stepped away from the panel and back into the energy of the ASU+GSV Summit, I felt a renewed sense of possibility. The energy is real. The alignment is growing. And the innovation is here. 

Now, it’s about putting it all to work. 

At Kuder, we’re proud to be part of this movement. We see it not just as our mission—but as our privilege—to help individuals see what they can be and to provide the tools, guidance, and encouragement to help them get there. Not just once—but throughout their lives. 

That’s the future we’re building toward. And we’re just getting started. 

Whether you’re an educator, an employer, a policymaker, or an innovator—now is the time. Let’s come together and create a system that supports lifelong career development for every individual, not just the few who already know where to look. 

If you’re ready to rethink what guidance can look like, we’re ready to partner. 

Let’s build something remarkable—together. 

Contact our team: info@kuder.com | kuder.com/contact