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Report/Research

In Brief - How State Policy Can Transform Career Navigation for Young People: A 50-State Analysis

June 23, 2025

At a Glance

This two-pager summarizes findings from our new 50-state analysis outlining how states can build more effective career navigations systems for young people & identifying which states have adopted key policies to achieve that goal.

Few young people have access to the essential career navigation services they need to make informed decisions about their education and career options after high school. Without this guidance, many are left uncertain about what to pursue next, unable to support themselves and their families, and unsure of which paths to take to reach their goals. 

State leaders can help. By adopting policies that contribute to the development of a comprehensive, integrated, and effective career navigation system, states can empower more young people ages 16-24 to gain the skills, credentials, and connections that lead to meaningful, quality jobs. 

Our two-pager summarizes key findings from our new report, which highlights the need for states to build more effective career navigation systems to better meet the needs of all young people and analyzes the extent to which each state has enacted the policies necessary to achieve that goal. 

Check out the summary in our two-pager, and read the complete analysis and findings in our full report. 

Jobs for the Future (JFF) is a national nonprofit that drives transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all.