Questions? We've probably heard it before.
Answers for students, families, schools and districts, higher ed partners, and supporters. Don't see yours? Email us at careercompass@careercompassla.org.
What can Career Compass help me do?
Career Compass coaches help with almost anything related to planning your life after high school — including:
- Career exploration, if you're not sure yet what you want to do
- Pathway planning for college, workforce, or military — not just college applications
- Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities, like job shadows and internships
- Finding the right school or program for your goals, in Louisiana or "beyond the boot"
- Help covering exam and application fees
Wait — what does "postsecondary" mean?
Postsecondary just means anything after high school. That includes technical college, community college, a four-year university, an industry credential or apprenticeship, or military service.
Do I have to pay for Career Compass?
No. Students and parents are never asked to pay for our services. You just need to be enrolled in a school that partners with Career Compass.
Where do I go for Career Compass? Do I need to stay after school?
All of our services happen on site at your school, during the school day. You won't need to come early or stay late.
Do I need to go to a four-year university to get help from Career Compass?
Not at all. We help students pursue whatever path fits them — technical school, community college, a four-year university, workforce credentials, or military service. All you need is to be enrolled in a school that partners with Career Compass.
What is Work-Based Learning (WBL), and can I take part?
Work-Based Learning connects what you're learning in class to real work experience — things like job shadows, internships, and workplace visits. If your school participates in WBL through Career Compass, your coach can help you find an opportunity that fits your interests.
How do I know if postsecondary education is right for me?
Earning your high school diploma is a huge accomplishment, but most jobs today require some form of specialized training or credential beyond it. Postsecondary education looks different for everyone — that's exactly why we help each student build a plan around their own goals, not a one-size-fits-all path.
How am I going to pay for applications and tuition?
Applications: If paying for college or exam applications is a barrier, your Career Compass coach can help you find fee waivers or application fee assistance if you demonstrate financial need. Just ask.
Tuition: Your coach will help you understand your costs and the ways to fund your education — including TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students), the FAFSA, and scholarship opportunities.
What resources do you provide for my grade level?
Career Compass works with students from 6th through 12th grade, always on site at your school. Check out our Services page for what's available at each grade level. Your school guidance counselor can connect you with a Career Compass coach if your school has a partnership with us.
Where can I go for help between visits with my coach?
You can meet with your coach as often as you need whenever they're on site at your school. Your coach will also give you their contact information so you can reach them between visits.
Do I have to pay for Career Compass?
No. Students and their families are never asked to pay for our services — your student just needs to be enrolled in a school that partners with Career Compass.
What resources does Career Compass offer families?
Families in partner districts can access the OverGrad platform, where students and parents can log in anytime to track graduation plans and milestones, explore college, workforce, and military pathways, and see information on FAFSA, scholarships, and diploma options.
Login access is provided through your student's school — reach out to your Career Compass coach if you need help getting set up.
Wait — what does "postsecondary" mean?
Postsecondary just means anything after high school — technical college, community college, a four-year university, an industry credential, or military service.
What should I be doing to support my student while they're in middle or high school?
Career Compass helps your child build a plan for life after high school that fits their abilities and goals — including covering some exam and application fees. Our role is to help them plan and then stick with it. What we can't do: ensure academic readiness, provide test prep, or track school attendance.
What information will my student need from me for college and financial aid applications?
Financial Aid: If your student applies as a "dependent student," they'll need to report your household information alongside their own on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Louisiana uses this information to determine eligibility for state and school aid. You should never be asked to pay to get help filling out the FAFSA.
For more information: Federal Student Aid website and the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance.
Applications: Your student won't need anything from you to complete their applications — feel free to offer to review, but the work should be their own. Their Career Compass coach will help track deadlines and can help cover application fees for students with financial need.
How is Career Compass different from what our counselors are already doing?
Career Compass coaches don't replace guidance counselors — we supplement what they're doing. Most counselors are stretched thin, juggling substitute teaching, exam proctoring, and more, on top of supporting students in crisis. The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of 250 students to one counselor — our role is to support school staff, not replace them.
How much does it cost to bring Career Compass into our schools?
Costs vary depending on the type of service (one-on-one coaching, group mentoring, Work-Based Learning coordination, or awareness modules) and the number of students served. We work with school systems to keep our programs sustainable and not cost-prohibitive, using a collaborative funding model that combines local district investment with corporate, foundation, and philanthropic support.
You can request a quote for services here.
What facilities or resources do schools need to provide?
For one-on-one coaching, a Career Compass coach needs:
- A private area with little to no foot traffic
- A computer with internet access
- Access to student schedules
We provide all materials students need — no copies or additional costs required from your school.
How do we know if our school is a good candidate for Career Compass?
Any school serving grades 6 through 12 is a strong candidate. If your school's postsecondary or workforce outcomes lag behind peer schools, you're an especially good fit — anecdotal data also suggests our services can help reduce dropout rates.
How many of our students can Career Compass serve?
We work with every student at a given grade level and provide the appropriate number of coaches to make sure students get the attention they need — whether that's 50 students, 500, or more.
What is Work-Based Learning (WBL) support, and how do we bring it to our district?
Career Compass helps districts build, expand, and sustain Work-Based Learning programs — including employer partnerships, job shadow and internship coordination, compliance documentation, and teacher training. Visit our Work-Based Learning page or reach out to Crystal McKnight at cmcknight@careercompassla.org to learn more.
What does the OverGrad platform do for our district?
OverGrad brings career exploration, college search and planning tools, IGP and milestone tracking, and Work-Based Learning tracking and reporting into one centralized system — with real-time updates for students, parents, and staff.
It's built for accountability and efficiency: automatic activity tracking and export-ready reporting are designed to support state requirements while reducing administrative burden for your staff, not adding to it.
What does Career Compass offer institutions of higher education?
Career Compass helps connect students to the right program for their goals, which supports stronger retention. School systems that partner with us see greater postsecondary enrollment than districts that don't. A majority of Career Compass students remain enrolled in their programs a year after high school graduation.
How can a postsecondary institution support Career Compass?
Our collaborative funding model relies on local school system participation alongside support from regional partners — higher education institutions, employers, and philanthropic funders. We'd love to talk with you about supporting our work in your region.
What is the impact of Career Compass on Louisiana communities?
In the 2024–25 school year alone, Career Compass served more than 65,000 students across 42+ school districts and 237 public schools statewide — part of more than 200,000 students supported since 2006.
How exactly are donated funds put to use?
Just over 16% of our budget covers management and administrative costs. The remaining nearly 84% goes directly into program services for students.
Is my donation to Career Compass tax-deductible?
Yes. Career Compass will provide you with written acknowledgement of your donation.
Still have a question? Email us at careercompass@careercompassla.org.