In PowerSchool’s 2025 Naviance Student Survey, 75% of middle and high school students named themselves the most influential voice in their postsecondary decisions, up from 63% in 2024. At the same time, students are navigating more options after high school, while counselors are being asked to provide increasingly personalized guidance at scale. How can schools make sure every student graduates with a clear path forward?
Join PowerSchool for a look at what students are saying about their goals and plans after high school, from growing interest in hands-on career exploration to the importance of cost, work-life balance, and mental health support. We’ll explore how districts can turn those insights into action by connecting each student’s interests, strengths, and goals to personalized pathways, whether that means a four-year college, trade school, military service, or going directly into the workforce.
You’ll leave with practical strategies to:
- Strengthen future planning and counselor-student conversations
- Expand career exploration and connect students with real-world opportunities
- Help every student build a meaningful plan for what comes next
