Why are so many well-educated and well-supported American youths struggling to make successful transitions to adult life? It’s an important question and the first that Hans Meeder asks on Episode 14 of our Ready for Work podcast, which was recorded at our recent ACT Workforce Summit.

Hans works at the National Center for College and Career Transitions (NC3T), which he founded in 2012. His organization believes in a simple concept: every young American should have a dream and a plan. The problem? Millions of students don’t.

Hans argues that the missing piece is Career Connected Learning, which is defined as a range of activities that help students connect learning to the real world to develop the knowledge, skills, and mindset they’ll need to successfully enter the world of work, careers, and community life.

This concept isn’t only for some students. It’s for all students. The harsh reality is that so many students—regardless of location or demographic—are struggling to make the transition to adult life, even with a great high school education.

Hans also discusses elements of Career Connected Learning that are often overlooked, including hands-on learning and career navigation skills.

Listen as Hans provides his passionate insight on the successful profile of a career and life-ready graduate, how the design of a career development model engages students, families, and community members, and much more.