Through research, youth-driven surveys, and focus groups, I developed The Career Launchpad, an online hub designed to equip at-risk youth with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to secure employment and build a sustainable future.
This portfolio features key instructional tools and training interventions designed to support both foster youth and the professionals who guide them:
The Career Launchpad Website: A comprehensive resource hub providing job seekers with resume templates, a digital interview tooolkit, career exploration tools, and networking strategies.
Job and Career Exploration Course: A Canvas-Based Online Course- A structured, self-paced learning experience covering essential job readiness skills, including resume writing, workplace expectations, and career exploration
A Microlearning Course for Social Workers & Contract Care Providers – A training module designed to help professionals effectively coach foster youth on job interview techniques and career preparation.
A TRAIN THE TRAINER Workshop: Teaching Job Interview Skills to Foster Youth-This workshop prepares professionals to teach foster youth essential job interview skills using interactive tools, real-world strategies, and a digital Interview Toolkit.
A Virtual Bulletin Board: A curated statewide resource featuring up-to-date employment training programs, job opportunities, and workforce initiatives accessible to both youth and professionals.
Research Findings on Career Readiness for Foster Youth: This research examines employment challenges for youth aging out of foster care and the impact of career readiness resources. Findings highlight barriers like lack of guidance and housing instability, with strong support for tools like Career Launchpad to improve job preparedness and workforce transition.
While this portfolio focuses on career readiness and job exploration, my broader vision is to expand The Career Launchpad to include other critical areas identified by youth through research and surveys:
Employment & Career Exploration – Equipping youth with the tools to find, apply for, and succeed in jobs aligned with their interests and skills.
Fiscal Literacy – Teaching essential financial skills, including budgeting, credit management, and financial planning to build long-term stability.
Stable Housing – Providing guidance on finding safe, affordable housing, understanding tenant rights, and navigating housing assistance programs.
Mental Health & Well-Being – Offering trauma-informed resources, stress management strategies, and access to mental health support to promote overall stability.
The Career Launchpad is designed for:
Foster youth & at-risk young adults, who need practical tools and guidance for transitioning into adulthood.
Social workers, employment coordinators, guidance counselors, and contract care providers, who play a critical role in supporting youth career development and life skills training.
By integrating learning theories, trauma-informed practices, and instructional design principles, The Career Launchpad serves as a scalable solution to help at-risk youth successfully transition into the workforce and, in the future, will support the creation of additional tools that help foster youth achieve financial stability, secure housing, and overall well-being.