The employment landscape is undergoing a sustained, yet seismic, shift. The current environment calls for a renewed focus on career readiness. One that approaches the connection between the classroom and the workplace with fresh eyes.

The world of work is buffeted by automation, artificial intelligence, globalization, and, of course, the pandemic. Over the past decade, the average U.S. job has seen 30 percent of its skills change — and the pace of change is only accelerating. What do we need to do to make sure that our graduates can successfully make the transition from classroom to college and/or career?

Here’s what we are doing and focusing on this year:

• Paid internships for 11th and 12 graders.

• Full-time (daytime and after-school) Future Readiness Coordinators in Norwalk and Brien McMahon High Schools devoted to the success of Carver students

• Preparation for students to understand that they can no longer rely on their college degree to accurately signal their fitness for a job.

• Integrating career education into the after-school curriculum, connecting students with career networks, and ensuring equitable access to internships and apprenticeships.