Career Connects was created to help students gain exposure to careers before they are expected to make life-changing decisions about college majors and professional paths. Too often, young people are asked to choose a future without truly understanding the options available to them. Career Connects was founded to bridge that gap by helping students explore industries, understand workplace expectations, and develop the skills needed to succeed beyond high school.

Through partnerships with schools, community organizations, and professionals across multiple industries, Career Connects introduces students to real career pathways while strengthening the confidence and practical skills they will need in the workforce. Our programs combine career exploration, professional development, and mentorship in ways that help students connect what they learn in school to real opportunities in the world around them.

Career Connects was founded by educator and scientist Shannen Tyson, whose experience in both education and healthcare shaped her commitment to helping students make informed decisions about their futures. After working in science education and laboratory medicine, she recognized how many young people graduate without meaningful exposure to the wide range of careers available to them. Career Connects was created to ensure students have access to the information, mentorship, and experiences that can guide them toward purposeful and informed career choices.

What makes Career Connects unique is our focus on how students actually learn, develop, and make decisions during adolescence.

Career Connects incorporates research on adolescent brain development and decision-making to help students explore careers in ways that align with how young people process information, form identity, and develop long-term goals. By understanding how the developing brain influences motivation, curiosity, and risk-taking, our programs are designed to engage students at a stage when exposure and mentorship can have a lasting impact.

This work is developed in collaboration with Dr. Robert Labril, a child psychiatrist whose expertise in youth development, emotional regulation, and performance psychology brings an important dimension to the Career Connects model. Together, we study how career exposure, mindset development, and emotional wellness can be integrated to support students during critical stages of growth.