By Kimba Rund
As the school year comes to a close, we are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of students participating in the Career+ Pathways™ Career Scholarship Account (CSA) program. This year, students across Indiana engaged in meaningful career exploration, earned industry-recognized credentials, completed work-based learning experiences, and took major steps toward their postsecondary goals. Students from partner schools across Indiana participated in healthcare, IT, business, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and community-based work experiences aligned to their future career interests. Paired with their work-based learning experiences, students also completed or made substantial progress towards credentials of value aligned to their program of choice.
Senior Success Stories
This year, 39 seniors successfully completed the Career+™ CSA program requirements. Every senior completed:
- The Career+™ Microcredential Series
– Next Level: Helps students explore career pathways, identify interests and strengths, and begin planning for future education and career goals.
-Workplace Communication: Focuses on professional communication skills, including teamwork, workplace etiquette, conflict resolution, and written and verbal communication.
-Workplace Leadership: Prepares students to lead, collaborate, solve problems, and demonstrate professionalism in workplace settings.
- Industry Experiences
-Career+™ Chats: Students engage with industry professionals to learn about careers, workplace expectations, and education pathways through interactive discussions and Q&A sessions.
-Career+™ Tours: Students explore workplaces, businesses, and training environments to gain firsthand exposure to industries and career opportunities.
- 75 hours of Work-based learning aligned to their career interests
- A Credential of Value aligned to their career interests
The Class of 2026 earned an impressive range of industry-recognized credentials and postsecondary achievements, including:
- RISEUp Customer Service & Sales certification
- Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) credential
- General Studies Associate Degrees
- Indiana College Core (ICC)
- Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certifications
- CompTIA A+ certification
Even more exciting are the students’ next steps after graduation:
- 37 of 39 seniors are planning to attend a two- or four-year college/university
- The remaining 2 students were accepted into college and are still finalizing their plans
- 100% of participating seniors received college acceptances
Several students also achieved remarkable individual accomplishments this year. One senior who completed the CompTIA A+ certification earned a full-ride scholarship to Huntington University to study computer science, highlighting the direct impact career-connected learning opportunities can have on students’ futures.
Real-World Learning Experiences Across Industries
One of the most impactful parts of the Career+™ CSA program is the opportunity for students to complete meaningful work-based learning experiences connected to their career interests and future goals. Through the Career+™ CSA program, seniors participated in a wide variety of experiences across industries and settings.
Some students gained entrepreneurial experience by operating school-based enterprises in areas such as broadcasting, business, and entrepreneurship, while others pursued highly individualized placements aligned to their personal interests and career goals.
Students completed experiences, including:
- Operating a student-run sweet shop business
- Supporting an IT school-based enterprise
- Working for a company installing gym flooring
- Interning at Columbian Park Zoo
- Completing healthcare and emergency services experiences through Phoenix Paramedic Solutions
- Participating in salon and cosmetology-related placements, including internships at local hair salons
- Working with landscaping and long-term care employers
- Completing workplace simulations and virtual field placement experiences through ASPIN as part of the Certified Community Health Worker pathway
These experiences allowed students to build professional skills, explore career pathways, and gain firsthand exposure to workplace expectations before graduating high school. More importantly, students were able to connect classroom learning to real-world applications while developing confidence, communication skills, and career readiness.
Personalized Career Coaching & Navigation
In addition to credentials and work-based learning experiences, students received year-long personalized career coaching and navigation support through the Career+™ CSA program.
Throughout the school year, students participated in one-on-one coaching sessions focused on credential pacing, work-based learning support, career planning, resume development, interview preparation, and postsecondary readiness.
Students also received ongoing accountability and navigation support, including progress monitoring, employer coordination, access to career resources, and individualized guidance to help remove barriers to success.
This structured coaching model ensured students remained supported throughout the entire academic year while progressing toward their credential, work-based learning, and postsecondary goals.
Preparing Students for What Comes Next
For many students, the Career+™ CSA program represented far more than earning a credential or completing a requirement. It provided an opportunity to explore career interests, gain experience in professional environments, and begin envisioning life after high school.
Throughout the year, students stepped into real workplaces and real responsibilities. Some explored healthcare careers through emergency medical and community health experiences, while others operated school-based businesses, supported IT initiatives, or participated in skilled trades and entrepreneurship placements.
These experiences allowed students to apply classroom learning in authentic settings while developing independence, communication skills, adaptability, and professional responsibility.
Programs like the Career+™ CSA help students graduate with more than academic knowledge. Students leave with real-world experience, stronger professional identities, industry connections, and a clearer understanding of the opportunities available to them after graduation.
Building the Pipeline: Junior Year Growth
In addition to senior outcomes, this year’s juniors made major progress toward their future career and postsecondary goals.
A total of 46 juniors completed or made substantial progress toward a Credential of Value this year, including:
- Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) certifications
- CompTIA Network+ certification
- General Studies Associate Degrees
- Social Media Marketing Professional certification
- RISE Up Customer Service & Sales certifications
- EPA 608 and NATE HVAC certifications
Many juniors also completed work-based learning experiences, career exploration activities, and industry engagement opportunities that positioned them for continued success as they move into their senior year and beyond.
Thank You to Our Partners
None of this work would be possible without the incredible collaboration between students, families, school counselors, employer partners, credential providers, and community organizations. From healthcare placements and IT certifications to school-based enterprises and dual credit opportunities, students were able to engage in meaningful experiences that connected classroom learning to future careers.
As we look ahead to next year, we are excited to continue expanding opportunities for students across Indiana and helping more students graduate with real experience, industry credentials, professional confidence, and a clearer vision for their future.
To view our whitepaper focused on our Career+™ CSA program work, click here.
Bio
Kimba Rund is a workforce training and career development specialist with a background in psychology and a focus on helping students connect education to real career opportunities. She holds a master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, which informs her work designing programs that support student growth, skill development, and long-term success. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, reading, and spending time with her family, husband, and two dogs.
