A product leader for a major edtech shares her unique perspective—and a significant opportunity for schools today. 

GUEST COLUMN | by Shivani Stumpf

Supporting students in navigating the complex landscape of career options and the various pathways to turn their dreams to reality remains a significant opportunity for schools today. According to a recent survey from the ECMC Group, only 13% of students feel fully prepared to choose their path after high school.

‘…only 13% of students feel fully prepared to choose their path after high school. …How can we help students understand the spectrum of relevant postsecondary choices and empower every learner to choose their best path?‘

This is particularly crucial now, as school counselors are managing an average caseload of over 400 students. Burdened by administrative duties and critical responsibilities like behavioral and mental health interventions, today’s counselors have less time to provide one-on-one college and career guidance. 

How can we help students understand the spectrum of relevant postsecondary choices and empower every learner to choose their best path? Moreover, how can we equip school counselors with the resources to enhance their efforts?

A new wave of generative AI assistants is emerging to tackle these challenges. Natural language AI tools, built responsibly, can significantly empower students to make informed decisions about their futures in a way that is personalized to their individual circumstances and actionable—while allowing counselors to concentrate on providing high-impact support.

Starting young helps to break down barriers while students explore

Studies have shown that exposing young people to a broader range of career options can help students overcome self-limiting beliefs and solidify the connection between academic achievement and future endeavors. By introducing career literacy early in a student’s education, we can maintain and even boost student engagement.

Today’s AI tools, when developed using Responsible AI guidelines, can significantly enhance this process. For elementary school students, engaging in play-based interactions allows them to explore careers while accessing age-appropriate assessments that help identify their interests. Additionally, when teachers incorporate career information into classroom activities, it not only increases students’ awareness of how their learning connects to future careers but also boosts the effectiveness of this exposure, ultimately enhancing academic achievement. Understanding the relevance of what they learn is key to helping students see how it will benefit them in their careers. 

High School students need more comprehensive support

As students advance through middle and high school, ongoing exploration of career pathways and participation in work-based learning opportunities, such as internships and career fairs, can help keep them on track. With an on-demand, personalized AI assistant, whenever they encounter a new career of interest, they can interact with the tool to gain a better understanding of the role, including its responsibilities, salary, demand, and advice on how to pursue that career path. 

These tools not only assist students in discovering potential careers and colleges, but also empower them to apply for financial aid and identify scholarships that align with their achievements and aspirations.

For instance, PowerBuddy for College and Career, the responsibly-built generative AI assistant integrated within college, career, and life readiness solution, Naviance — one of the most widely used CCLR solutions in the country— provides students with personalized guidance based on a multitude of factors. These factors include GPA, assessments, career interests, location preferences, aptitudes, personal goals, military interests, and scholarship qualifications. With PowerBuddy, students can craft a personalized postsecondary plan that highlights their ideal careers, the necessary skills, certifications, trainings, and education, and specific pathways to achieve their goals. This comprehensive support not only enhances decision-making but also paves the way for their future success. 

Improving access to school resources can also boost engagement 

AI is redefining how districts interact with their communities and stakeholders. Today’s AI tools can easily integrate into a district or school website, including parent portals, communication platforms, student information systems, e-learning platforms, analytics tools, and community engagement sites. AI assistants can help students and caregivers find information about policies, athletic schedules, after-school programs, student handbooks, school calendars, lunch menus, job postings and more. 

These tools represent a significant leap in empowering people with efficient, secure, and personalized access to critical information. Through natural language interactions, they can eliminate what has traditionally been a cumbersome barrier for students and families — time-consuming searches sifting through information online, or phone calls that tie up school staff.

AI also offers accommodations such as speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and speech-to-speech functionality — and the ability to operate in dozens of languages — which can help schools provide equitable access for all users. 

One of our recent survey findings revealed that families, particularly mothers, play a significant role in their children’s post-secondary decisions. AI tools can increase access to the information available to parents, aiding them as they guide their children through various options. Furthermore, the capability of AI to provide this information in the languages spoken at home is crucial for increasing access and support.

AI can help students maximize their full potential

Achieving any goal is rarely a straightforward journey. When students are informed about a variety of career opportunities, they can pivot and explore different paths to discover the best fit for themselves. With an AI assistant that comprehends their specific educational and career journeys, students will receive enhanced, personalized support in evaluating their options and making informed decisions about their futures. 

The power of AI is already making its way into schools as leaders realize its potential. According to our own 2024 Education Focus Report, 70% of district leaders now believe AI can enhance teaching and learning — up from 53% in 2023 — and 60% of school leaders and educators believe AI can enhance teacher practice and development.

These tools, when developed and used responsibly, hold remarkable potential to help young learners reach their goals—and often inspire them to aim even higher. In this sense, AI is not merely an accessory for a progressive school district; it is a fundamental element in improving educational outcomes and fostering meaningful engagement for everyone.

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Shivani Stumpf is Chief Product and Innovation Officer at PowerSchool. Connect with Shivani on LinkedIn. 

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