How can we leverage student agency to build more invested, more prepared graduates?

In this episode of Lessons Learned, our host Matt kicks off Season 2 with Jennifer Kushell, CEO and founder of Exploring Your Potential—a career readiness program that helps students connect their interests to future planning. 

Throughout our conversation, we explore key topics such as:

• How career conversations build engagement and academic relevance that help students persist in and beyond K-12
• The gaps in many CTE programs between what’s offered, what’s requested, and what’s needed [by workforce]
• The importance of introducing college and career readiness (CCR) in early grades, to set the foundation for high school pathways and engagement
• The professional learning support needed to get educators comfortable incorporating career conversations within their classrooms

Whether you're an educator, district leader, or involved in career development, this episode offers actionable strategies for building sustainable, student-centered CTE systems that meet the needs of both students and employers.

Quote of the Show:

“We need to give kids context… to understand that if they’re going to think about their life beyond (and their goals beyond) school, they need to understand where they fit in [and how education prepares them for it].” - Jen Kushell

Links:

• Jennifer’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkushell/ 
• EYP Ventures Website: http://exploringyourpotential.com/ 
• The Disengagement Gap Brookings Report: https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/REPORT_The-Disengagement-Gap_FINAL.pdf 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4bzi3DLY1fCuBknsxWySw6 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/lessons-learned/id1714296987 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c715776e-3d77-4a8b-806b-207e01b861af 
• Podchaser: 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@betterlesson4313