Introduction
School counselors play a critical role in helping students navigate pathways beyond high school. As postsecondary options expand beyond traditional four-year degrees, career and technical education grows, and technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) emerge, counselors face increasing demands with limited resources. In partnership with the American School Counselor Association, Britebound surveyed 600 K-12 counselors nationwide to examine how they support career readiness and postsecondary planning for their students.
Key Findings
Career readiness is defined and measured differently across settings.
School counselors share a common goal of helping students explore options and make informed decisions, but priorities vary by school context. While 58% of high school counselors say building awareness of postsecondary options is critical, 52% of middle school counselors prioritize helping students understand their own skills and interests. Elementary counselors focus most heavily on early exploration and career awareness.
Access to career readiness opportunities remains uneven.
School counselors report significant gaps in the resources students need to explore careers. Most middle school counselors (60%) want more curriculum focused on trades and technical careers, while 61% of high school counselors say students need better access to local workforce information. Across grade levels, respondents cite shortages of career exploration tools, experiential learning opportunities, and workforce insights.
School counselors need stronger systems and structures of support.
Nearly all school counselors (93%) agree that collaboration between career specialists and school counselors improves student outcomes, yet only 45% of high school counselors report having a dedicated career specialist in their school. Just 54% say they have enough time to collaborate effectively, underscoring the need for additional staffing and tools. Respondents also cite a need for guidance around emerging resources like AI.
This survey is part of Britebound's Youth Career Readiness Outlook, a new research series exploring what it means to be ready for life after high school from the perspectives of young people and the adults who support them—parents, educators, school counselors, and employers. Drawing on primary research, each report examines key aspects of teen career readiness, including education plans, skill-building, and career aspirations. Together, the series offers a comprehensive look at how today's youth are navigating their paths toward a bright future.
