A free online tool was recently unveiled to guide adults in helping middle school students navigate their college and career paths in Bexar County. The tool, AdviseMe2010.org, was developed as a three-year roadmap for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders who are on the cusp of selecting a career pathway.

Addressing the Shortage of College Advisors

On average, there is only one college advisor for every 600 students in the region. The tool aims to help students discover their likes, dislikes, and to better understand what’s available to them locally. UP Partnership, a local nonprofit organization, alongside the San Antonio Area Foundation and Future Ready Bexar County Partners, worked together to find a solution to the shortage of advisors that may leave students and families to figure this out on their own.

The free online tool provides advisory guides for students in each of the three school grades. These are designed to be facilitated by an adult in a 1-1 setting, small groups, or to be integrated into courses. Using scripts and prompts written in youth-friendly language, students are asked to explore their likes, strengths, and what matters to them, before starting to explore career paths.

Goals and Success Measurement

The north star of this movement is to reach 70% postsecondary enrollment by 2030, according to UP Partnership CEO Cathy Jones. The success and impact of the tool will be measured in how many conversations with young students it helps facilitate, and it will be periodically updated with new information and opportunities in the region.

Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.