On Wednesday, April 30th, EmployIndy hosted over 90 career coaching practitioners at the 2025 Career Coaching and Advising Summit, a full-day event designed to strengthen the skills and knowledge of those who work directly with K-12 and postsecondary students, ensuring they are well-equipped to support the seamless transitions into further education or the workforce our students need for successful futures. 

As businesses grow, the demand for workers with specialized skills and postsecondary training has become increasingly urgent as most jobs now require more than a high school education. However, navigating postsecondary options, including advanced training and certifications, can be challenging for both students and jobseekers, leading to low rates of persistence and completion. Coaching and career advising services that provide personalized guidance and support are essential to helping individuals choose the right education or training paths. 

“It’s vitally important for the career coaches and advisors in our community to be supported to help deliver the best possible outcome for our students, in a way that matches the needs of our employers and growing businesses,” says Marie Mackintosh, EmployIndy’s president and CEO. “This summit, with the help of our ecosystem partners, was an important step towards this goal.” 

During the summit, attendees participated in a series of sessions aimed at deepening their understanding of career coaching and advising, including a keynote address by Carletta Clark, community and business development manager at JP Morgan Chase & Co. Session content centered around proven methodologies for career development, emphasizing effective approaches to guiding students in their career choices, growth and transitions. Attendees also heard directly from students who have benefitted from coaching and training, during a student panel that included participants from EmployIndy programs including Indy Achieves, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), Modern Apprenticeship Program (MAP) and YES Indy.  

Information and guidance vital to providing quality coaching and advising was a strong focus at the summit, including trends in labor market information (LMI) and helpful tools to ensure career guidance is meeting both current and future job market needs. Throughout the summit, participants had the opportunity to connect with fellow advisors, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions to the challenges they encounter in their work. 

To learn more about EmployIndy’s work in providing guidance to career coaches and advisors, visit www.employindy.org.