Chicago Scholars Leverages AI to Enhance Career Opportunities for Under-Resourced Students
Students today encounter various challenges while navigating their learning journeys — and for many, emerging AI technologies have risen to the top of the list. Today’s generation, more than any before, will face pressure to reskill amid rapid advancements to begin their careers and grow within them.
Combine developing technologies with the challenges of exploring potential career pathways and leveraging opportunities after graduation. Additional factors such as a student's location, school, family background and cultural experiences can all significantly influence their journeys and determine whether they have access to career-connected learning programs that nurture their skills and potential.
Catalyze grantee Chicago Scholars, and its social enterprise REACH Pathways, were created to address the challenges that diverse, first-generation college students in Chicago may face in achieving a successful future. Student-centered design is foundational to Chicago Scholars' approach, prioritizing equitable access for under-resourced students. They actively involve students in developing and training AI tools to ensure relevancy, relatability and engagement.
“AI is changing everything. It helps expose students to many career pathways they otherwise might not have considered or been exposed to. AI can also provide specific guidance on achieving different pathways,” said Brooke McKean, president of Chicago Scholars and co-CEO of REACH Pathways.
As Scholars persist through a seven-year program, from high school to career, they are prepared for the world. Helping learners understand the unwritten rules of college and career success is essential for career navigation. The organization uses AI-driven tools and support to facilitate exploration through chatbots, scenario-based training and an AI resume builder.
“When students first enter our website, there are prompts that help them determine what they're reaching for,” said Kenneth Woodard, director of virtual engagement for Chicago Scholars and head of product for REACH Pathways. “Whether a student is considering career options or wants to understand their social belonging, they can chat with a bot and be pointed in the right direction — be it our skills tree or job board.”
Additional tools featuring students and program alumni are offered to help current students visualize and navigate potential career pathways more effectively, learn from peer experiences, and engage in student-centered interactions — as seen in these short TikTok-style, near-peer videos. More than 80 videos created by students are now available.
Chicago Scholars and REACH Pathways combine an established nonprofit's stability and experience with a startup's innovation and agility. They work to develop and implement emerging technologies that further career-connected learning for the city of Chicago and the next generation of leaders.
“When we look at the makeup of Chicago, while it is a city full of talent, there's a lot of disparity in how talent and opportunities are distributed. Technology allows us to democratize access to young people in every neighborhood, every community and every school in our city and beyond,” said Jeffery Beckham, CEO of Chicago Scholars and co-CEO of REACH Pathways.
Check out REACH Pathway’s AI-driven tools and support for your own career-connected learning experience.