Pathways Resource Library
Tools to help people understand their options
Explore messaging, research, and resources from across the field—along with customizable, white-label tools that you can adapt, brand as your own, and use in your organization’s communications—to help you reach key audiences with language that builds confidence and expands what’s possible.
Research Report
The Value of Community Colleges: Recent Students’ Motivations and Outcomes
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This study offers new insights about value community colleges provide and the range of needs that they serve. It examines recent community college students' motivations for enrolling, and their self-reported perceptions of the value of their education and training experiences, and the degree to which they acheived their goals for enrolling.
Research Report
Walton FamilyFoundation‑GallupVoices of Gen Z Study: Year 3 Annual Report
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
The third installment of this annual survey series tracks the wellbeing, education, and future outlook of Generation Z, based on responses from nearly 3,800 13- to 28-year-olds. Key findings include a widening life-evaluation gap between Gen Z students and adults, record-high levels of classroom engagement, and persistent disparities linked to teacher quality and school experience. The report also examines reading habits, chronic absenteeism, cellphone policies in schools, and Gen Z's growing sense of preparedness for the future.
Research Report
Question the Status Quo: Gen Z Teens Have Changed Their Priorities for Education and Work
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Research Report
The AI Paradox: More Exposure, Less Confidence Among Gen Z
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This Gallup, Walton Family Foundation, and GSV report examines how Generation Z's relationship with artificial intelligence has evolved over the past year. Drawing on survey data from more than 1,500 14- to 29-year-olds, the report finds that while AI adoption has remained flat, negative sentiment has grown sharply, with declining excitement and hopefulness alongside rising anger and persistent anxiety. It explores Gen Z's skepticism toward AI's impact on creativity, critical thinking, and workplace trust, alongside growing recognition among students that AI skills will be essential for their education and careers.
Article
What it will take to change the narrative about career education
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
The article discusses the growing issue of young Americans aged 18-24 not engaging in college or work, exacerbated by the pandemic. Despite high job vacancies, there's skepticism toward non-college education and job-training programs. The article highlights policy recommendations to integrate workforce training and higher education, stressing that both traditional and non-degree credentials are essential for economic mobility. The purpose is to advocate for a broader, more inclusive approach to postsecondary education and workforce training, aiming to enhance economic opportunities for all.
Research Report
MAKING THE CASE FOR SKILLS-FIRST HIRING WITH HIRING PROFESSIONALS
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
In 2023, SHRM Foundation commissioned Topos Foundation to investigate the effectiveness of various framing, language, and argumentation deployed in an ongoing effort, by SHRM Foundation and many other partners, to promote hiring that puts less emphasis on academic degrees and considers all the ways job candidates may be qualified for a position. This report contains valuable insights into effectively communicating the case for skills-first hiring with the broadest audience.
Research Report
Family Voices
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Faced with unprecedented change in the postsecondary landscape, America's families are wrestling with questions of college, careers, skills development and meaningful work. This study aimed to understand American parents' aspirations for their children after high school, as well as the barriers they face to following a preferred postsecondary path.
Research Report
The Pathways Narrative Project
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Pathways Narrative is a cohort-based pilot project focused on the education and career pathways space. Each of the nine organizations in the cohort works with dedicated strategists from Wonder: Strategies for Good to develop a narrative change research project that aligns with and advances the organization’s goals. Get to know the cohort partners here, and explore the many possible approaches to narrative change.
Research Report
High School Awareness Research
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This is a report containing the results of a study on new approaches in higher education, funded by the Charles Kock Foundation.
Filters
Research Report
The Value of Community Colleges: Recent Students’ Motivations and Outcomes
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This study offers new insights about value community colleges provide and the range of needs that they serve. It examines recent community college students' motivations for enrolling, and their self-reported perceptions of the value of their education and training experiences, and the degree to which they acheived their goals for enrolling.
Research Report
Walton FamilyFoundation‑GallupVoices of Gen Z Study: Year 3 Annual Report
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
The third installment of this annual survey series tracks the wellbeing, education, and future outlook of Generation Z, based on responses from nearly 3,800 13- to 28-year-olds. Key findings include a widening life-evaluation gap between Gen Z students and adults, record-high levels of classroom engagement, and persistent disparities linked to teacher quality and school experience. The report also examines reading habits, chronic absenteeism, cellphone policies in schools, and Gen Z's growing sense of preparedness for the future.
Research Report
Question the Status Quo: Gen Z Teens Have Changed Their Priorities for Education and Work
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Research Report
The AI Paradox: More Exposure, Less Confidence Among Gen Z
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This Gallup, Walton Family Foundation, and GSV report examines how Generation Z's relationship with artificial intelligence has evolved over the past year. Drawing on survey data from more than 1,500 14- to 29-year-olds, the report finds that while AI adoption has remained flat, negative sentiment has grown sharply, with declining excitement and hopefulness alongside rising anger and persistent anxiety. It explores Gen Z's skepticism toward AI's impact on creativity, critical thinking, and workplace trust, alongside growing recognition among students that AI skills will be essential for their education and careers.
Article
What it will take to change the narrative about career education
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
The article discusses the growing issue of young Americans aged 18-24 not engaging in college or work, exacerbated by the pandemic. Despite high job vacancies, there's skepticism toward non-college education and job-training programs. The article highlights policy recommendations to integrate workforce training and higher education, stressing that both traditional and non-degree credentials are essential for economic mobility. The purpose is to advocate for a broader, more inclusive approach to postsecondary education and workforce training, aiming to enhance economic opportunities for all.
Research Report
MAKING THE CASE FOR SKILLS-FIRST HIRING WITH HIRING PROFESSIONALS
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
In 2023, SHRM Foundation commissioned Topos Foundation to investigate the effectiveness of various framing, language, and argumentation deployed in an ongoing effort, by SHRM Foundation and many other partners, to promote hiring that puts less emphasis on academic degrees and considers all the ways job candidates may be qualified for a position. This report contains valuable insights into effectively communicating the case for skills-first hiring with the broadest audience.
Research Report
Family Voices
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Faced with unprecedented change in the postsecondary landscape, America's families are wrestling with questions of college, careers, skills development and meaningful work. This study aimed to understand American parents' aspirations for their children after high school, as well as the barriers they face to following a preferred postsecondary path.
Research Report
The Pathways Narrative Project
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Pathways Narrative is a cohort-based pilot project focused on the education and career pathways space. Each of the nine organizations in the cohort works with dedicated strategists from Wonder: Strategies for Good to develop a narrative change research project that aligns with and advances the organization’s goals. Get to know the cohort partners here, and explore the many possible approaches to narrative change.
Research Report
High School Awareness Research
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This is a report containing the results of a study on new approaches in higher education, funded by the Charles Kock Foundation.