About the Career Journey Model
A four-phase model that connects student experiences across campus to career development and post-graduation outcomes.
Career Journey & Competencies
The Career Journey Model helps students navigate their development. NACE career readiness competencies help them recognize and explain the skills they build. Use both to plan learning, guide reflection, and connect classroom and campus experiences to the priorities in Roadmap 2030.
Career Journey Model: How Students Progress
The Career Journey Model helps students connect self-discovery, exploration, skill development, and post-graduation goals. Students revisit these phases as their interests and circumstances change. Use the model to design courses, advising conversations, student employment, and co-curricular experiences that support the six priorities in Roadmap 2030.
Discover Yourself
Identify interests, values, and strengths to build a foundation for career exploration.
Explore Careers & Pathways
Connect interests to majors, careers, and opportunities through informed exploration.
Develop Skills & Competencies
Build and apply NACE career readiness competencies through hands-on and applied experiences.
Pursue Your Goals
Prepare for and secure post-graduation opportunities through strategic action and planning.
Career Readiness Competencies: A Common Language for Skills Employers Value
The NACE career readiness competencies describe skills students develop and demonstrate across courses, employment, mentoring, leadership, and applied experiences. They provide a shared language for reflection and communication throughout the Career Journey. For example, a mentoring experience can support career exploration while developing communication and career self-development. Help students identify the competencies they practice and explain their growth with evidence.
About Career Readiness Competencies
Eight core competencies developed by NACE that define the skills students build across the Career Journey Model.
Career & Self-Development
Continuously develop yourself through reflection and lifelong learning.
Communication
Clearly and effectively exchange ideas, information, and perspectives.
Critical Thinking
Analyze information and make informed decisions to solve problems.
Equity & Inclusion
Engage and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Leadership
Recognize strengths and guide others toward shared goals.
Professionalism
Act with integrity, accountability, and awareness of workplace expectations.
Teamwork
Collaborate effectively with others to achieve common goals.
Technology
Use technology strategically and ethically to enhance your work.
Put This Into Practice
Start with a learning goal, choose a Career Journey phase, and help students reflect on the competencies they practice. For example, use Traitify for Discover Yourself, an internship-search activity for Develop Skills, or an offer-negotiation simulation for Pursue Your Goals. The Career Presentation Toolkit includes materials for all three.