A complete college and career readiness system.
Built for every student, every grade, every path — from 6th grade through graduation and beyond.
Ensuring that students are on the path to becoming successful adults is a mission that every school administrator, counselor, and educator takes to heart. With limited resources and competing priorities, however, achieving that for every single student can seem impossible.
Career Compass of Louisiana partners with public school districts across the state to make it possible. We combine dedicated, in-person coaching with the OverGrad technology platform to deliver measurable college and career readiness — from 6th grade through graduation and beyond.
Whether your students are headed to a four-year university, a technical college, a career training program, or the military, we help them build a plan and get there.
You can download a summary of all of our services in one PDF here. For inquiries and additional information, contact Crystal McKnight at cmcknight@careercompassla.org or 318-730-6950.
College
Four-year universities, community colleges, technical schools, and advanced credentials
Workforce
Career pathways, industry credentials, JumpStart programs, and work-based learning
Military
Enlistment planning, career alignment, and transition support
A coach at every stage
Support grows with your students, from middle school awareness to senior-year decisions.
College & Career Awareness Modules
College and career awareness for every student in every grade — with no additional staffing, no lesson planning, and no changes to student schedules. This series of engaging, grade-appropriate modules is custom-made for Louisiana students and introduces career exploration as early as middle school, when foundational decisions about coursework and pathways begin.
- Grade-specific video modules aligned to Louisiana standards
- Career interest exploration and self-assessment activities
- Information on diploma options, postsecondary pathways, and financial aid
- Digital delivery — no disruption to existing schedules
In-Person Mentoring & Guided Planning
Structured, in-person mentoring builds college and career readiness year by year — tailored to each district's goals. This service can support all students at a grade level or be targeted to students who need additional guidance during the course and diploma pathway selection process.
- Goal-setting and regular progress check-ins with a trained coach
- Career exploration tied to coursework and diploma pathways
- Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) development with adult support, in alignment with Bulletin 741
- JumpStart and career pathway awareness activities
- Flexible scope — whole school or targeted cohorts based on district need
1-on-1 College & Career Coaching
A dedicated Career Compass coach works one-on-one with each senior to finalize their postsecondary plan and take the next step with confidence. From career exploration and FAFSA completion to college applications and military pathway planning, our coaches complement your counseling staff — and take students from uncertainty to action.
- Personalized advisor relationship with a trained coach
- College application and financial aid guidance, including FAFSA completion and TOPS information
- Career, college, or military pathway planning tailored to each student
- Application fee assistance for eligible students
- Data reporting and progress dashboards for school administrators
Beyond the classroom
District-level and postsecondary programs that extend support further.
Work-Based Learning (WBL) Coordination
Work-Based Learning connects classroom learning to real-world careers — and Career Compass helps districts build, expand, and sustain WBL programs that meet state requirements and create genuine opportunity for students.
- WBL program consulting and implementation support
- Employer and business partner recruitment and coordination
- Job shadow, internship, and work experience coordination
- LDOE-compliant site visit and employer evaluation documentation
- Teacher and staff training with on-site support
- WBL activity tracking and reporting through the OverGrad platform
Beyond Graduation
Our commitment to students doesn't end at graduation. Beyond Graduation provides virtual support to graduates as they navigate their first year after high school — staying enrolled, troubleshooting obstacles, and finishing what they started.
- Virtual coaching for graduates transitioning to college, technical programs, or careers
- Support with enrollment, financial aid renewal, and early college success skills
- Connection to campus and community resources
- Continuity of the coaching relationship built during high school
OverGrad — powered by technology, built for accountability
Career Compass coaching is now backed by OverGrad, a comprehensive college and career readiness platform that brings everything together into one centralized, easy-to-use system — designed to support state requirements and reduce administrative burden.
For students and families
- Track graduation plans, IGP milestones, and next steps
- Explore college programs, career pathways, and financial aid options
- Log in anytime to see what's been completed and what's coming up next
For districts and schools
- Career exploration and readiness modules
- College search and planning tools
- IGP and milestone tracking
- Work-Based Learning (WBL) tracking and reporting
- Real-time progress updates for students, parents, and staff
- Automatic activity tracking and export-ready reporting
- Reduced administrative burden — designed to support compliance, not add to it
Want to bring Career Compass to your district?
Our service costs vary depending on the type and scope of services and the number of students served. We work with school systems to ensure our programs are sustainable and not cost-prohibitive, through a collaborative funding model combining local investment with corporate, foundation, and philanthropic support.
Contact Crystal McKnight — cmcknight@careercompassla.org