American Student Assistance® (ASA) is a proud sponsor of the SXSW EDU 2024 — a celebration of innovation and learning in the education sector– which will be held on March 4-7 at the Hilton Austin Downtown in Austin, Texas. During this year’s conference, ASA, a national nonprofit dedicated to changing the way kids learn about careers and prepare for their futures through equitable access to career readiness information and experiences, will host a hands-on professional development workshop and panel presentation that elevate critical conversations in the youth career readiness space.
Career Education: Policy & Practice to Best Serve Learners
Monday, March 4, 2024 | 11:30 AM | Hilton Salon C
Can state policy change the way you help students learn about careers and prepare for their futures? We say yes. Hear the topline findings from a new study on the State of Middle School Career Exploration in the U.S.–a 50-state analysis on how states are handling career exploration programs, and from state leaders looking to change how their states are preparing young people for the future with exposure to high-impact career focused programming.
- Kayla Jimenez, National Correspondent, USA Today, Moderator
- Julie Lammers, SVP of Advocacy and Corporate Social Responsibility, American Student Assistance (ASA)
- Paul Herdman, President and CEO, Rodel of DE
- Danielle Ongart, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Education
Resources:
- Meaningful Career Conversations Trainings Main Page
- Colorado Career Advising Tool Main Page
- Colorado Work-Based Learning Continuum
- Work-Based Learning Quality Expectations
- Quality and In-demand Non-degree Credentials Framework
- Delaware Middle Grades poster of a “high school ready student”
- A snapshot of Pathways performance in Delaware
- “Scaling Opportunity” a case study of Delaware’s pathways
Workshop: Creating Student Agency in the Career Exploration Classroom
March 5, 2024 | 11:30 AM | Hilton Salon K
Join this hands-on session and learn how to put the free Career Exploration in the Middle Grades: A Workbook for Students to work for you. This workshop will be packed with activities to help students know themselves, know their education and career options, make informed decisions, and turn their passions into actions. We’ll share two lessons, review facilitation techniques, and provide discussion questions that will help your students expand their understanding of self-identity, explore their values and career pathways, and make informed decisions about their futures.
- Jing Cox-Orrell, Philanthropy Program Manager, American Student Assistance (ASA), Facilitator
- Jay Galbraith, Director of Academics (Secondary Science), Kipp MA
- Vanessa Haerle, STEM Teacher, Sutton Public Schools
Engaging Gen Z in Socially Conscious Entrepreneurship
Thursday, March 7, 2024 | 10:00 AM | Austin Convention Center – Room 5ABC
According to an Axios/Momentive poll, 54% of Gen Z has a negative view of capitalism. Meanwhile, ASA research has found that a similar amount—over half—have entrepreneurial ambitions, and 59% want a career that helps others. This panel discussion will focus on how we can help Gen Z fulfill their entrepreneurial aspirations while adhering to their values and aiding the social causes they care about the most.
- J.D. LaRock CEO, NFTE, Moderator
- Thais Rezende, CEO, BUILD.org
- Daquan Oliver, CEO, WeThrive
- Julie Lammers, SVP of Advocacy and Corporate Social Responsibility, American Student Assistance (ASA)