Discover Opportunities
The bad news: A 4-year degree is no longer a guaranteed ticket to a fulfilling future.
The good news: With the right preparation in high school (and even earlier), you can figure out what you like, explore opportunities, and even make connections with potential employers.
​
The Business & Education Alliance can show you how!
The Stakes are High
Stumbling into a career won’t guarantee your success.
40%
of college students drop out before earning a degree
52%
of college grads are underemployed in their first job
5.5%
of recent college grads are unemployed—the highest it’s ever been
Get a Head Start on Your Future
Here’s how BEA can help.
We’ve found that students who experience career-connected learning in high school are more confident, more prepared, and more likely to find work they love after graduation.
PLUS: Students who learn workplace communication, problem-solving, and adaptability not only perform better in their first jobs but also build the confidence to pursue bigger opportunities.
BEA Helps Students Explore, Prepare, and Connect Through:
Early exposure: Career exploration from elementary through high school
Hands-on experiences: Job shadowing, internships, workplace tours, and more
Built-in training: Professionalism, communication, and workplace skills
Employer connections: Matches with businesses and professionals aligned to student interests
What Students Are Saying
“It helps to ask a professional about all the nuances of a job and learn about their work through their experiences.”
Banning Lewis Prep Academy student
Your Secret Weapon: the CCL MARKETPLACE
The Career-Connected Learning (CCL) MARKETPLACE was built to help students like you turn curiosity into opportunity. It’s your space to explore careers, meet mentors, and take real steps toward a future that feels exciting and achievable.
On the CCL MARKETPLACE website, you can:
Match your talents and interests to real career opportunities
Connect with professionals ready to mentor and share their experiences
Explore in-demand industries like healthcare, IT, trades, business, and more
Gain hands-on experience through job shadowing, informational interviewing, and internships
Make confident decisions about education, training, and your career path
Turn your career dreams into reality as you gain working knowledge of your chosen field
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Get Started?
Your future doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With BEA and the CCL MARKETPLACE, you have the tools, mentors, and opportunities to start building a career path that excites you—right now, while you’re still in school.
Don’t wait until after graduation to figure out what comes next. Take action today and give your future self the advantage of clarity, confidence, and connections.
Start exploring your possibilities.