Career Navigator Toolkit

What is a Career Navigator?
The job of a career navigator is to coach, motivate, support, remove barriers and connect young people to resources, tools and training and prepare them to be successful in the workplace.
Career Navigator
Talent Development Terms
Approaches to Career Navigation

Engagement Strategies for Opportunity Youth

The First Meeting and Follow-Up

Developing a Career Plan
Career planning is an essential component of a career navigator’s work and requires the navigator be able to assess client skills, assist in developing of specific, measurable achievable, relevant and time sensitive (S.M.A.R.T.) goals, and help connect to resources.
Career Exploration Spreadsheet
Career Exploration Tools

Preparing for Work

Retention and Upskill
- First Day on the Job Checklist
- Making a Good Impression
- Keeping a Good Impression
- Investing in Entry Level Talent (Upskill and Retention Best Practices Report)

Education
Educational opportunities are plentiful and can be difficult to navigate. This section will explore financial resources, types of education options and tools to help young people find the right fit.

Work-Based Learning
According to the Colorado Workforce Development Council Education and Training Committee, work-based learning is just that: “Learning opportunities that occur in part or in whole in the workplace and provide the learner with hands-on, real world experience.”

Supportive Services
Online directories in Colorado.
- Remerg Directory (Justice Involved Resources)
- Mile High United Way (2-1-1 General Needs Resources)
- Find Help.org (General Needs Resources)
- DACA/Undocumented Resources

Resources for Justice Involved Youth
The workforce and education resources in the document below are specifically for Justice Involved Youth.

Resources for Foster Care Youth
The workforce and education resources in the document below are specifically for Foster Care Youth that have been in the system, are preparing to exit, or are out.

Special thanks to Katie Kraft and Bobby Brown for their efforts to help put together this guide for Career Navigators in Colorado!