THE CAREER ECOSYSTEM BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
The Career Leadership Collective is committed to advancing higher education through original research, publications, frameworks, standards, and professional learning that strengthen institutional career ecosystems.
Building The Career Ecosystem Movement @ The Collective
Since 2017, The Career Leadership Collective has helped define, advance, and institutionalize the career ecosystem movement across higher education.
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2017: The Career Leadership Collective was formed.
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2019: The National Alumni Career Mobility Survey was invented and launched.
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2020: The 1st Collective Annual Conference on building Career Ecosystems took place.
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2023: Lightcast acquired the National Alumni Career Mobility Survey.
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2024: The Collective surpassed doing business with 1,000 colleges and universities.
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2025: The Career Ecosystem Era in Higher Education book was published.
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2025: The Career Ecosystem Era in Higher Education Podcast was launched.
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2026: The first Career Ecosystem Institute™ for U.S. colleges and universities was offered.
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2026: The Group Discussion Guide companion to The Career Ecosystem Era in Higher Education™ book was published.
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2026: The Career Ecosystem Standard™ (forthcoming) is a new landmark publication defining the national standard for an institutional commitment to career learning.
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2027: The Career Ecosystem Standard Certification™ (forthcoming) is a comprehensive institutional assessment and recognition process that evaluates how effectively a U.S. college or university has implemented the principles of the Career Ecosystem Standard.
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Foundational Frameworks
& Intellectual Property
The Career Leadership Collective has trademarks, copyrights, and/or ownership rights to the following:
SIGNATURE FRAMEWORKS
The Career Ecosystem Era™
The Career Ecosystem Era describes the emerging movement in higher education from optional, career center-led services toward institution-wide career learning that prepares every student for meaningful work and lifelong career success. First introduced in the 2025 book The Career Ecosystem Era in Higher Education, by Jeremy Podany, published by The Career Leadership Collective.
The Career Ecosystem Standard™
The Career Ecosystem Standard™ is a forthcoming publication of The Career Leadership Collective. The Standard defines the institutional commitments, infrastructure, and essential career learning experiences that characterize a thriving career ecosystem in higher education.
The Career Ecosystem Standard Certification™
The Career Ecosystem Standard Certification is a comprehensive institutional assessment and recognition process that evaluates how effectively a U.S. college or university has implemented the principles of the Career Ecosystem Standard. It assesses five levels of career ecosystem maturity and provides certification for levels 2-5 :
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Level 1: Not Yet a Career Ecosystem
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Level 2: Emerging Career Ecosystem
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Level 3: Established Career Ecosystem
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Level 4: Advanced Career Ecosystem
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Level 5: Exemplary Career Ecosystem
The Career Ecosystem Standard Domains™
The Career Ecosystem Domains™ are the foundational areas with The Career Ecosystem Standard that provide the organizational framework for designing, assessing, and continuously improving an institution-wide career ecosystem.
Essential Career Learning™
Essential Career Learning™ defines the foundational career learning experiences every student should intentionally complete before graduation to prepare for meaningful work and lifelong career success.
The Career Ecosystem Institute™
The Career Ecosystem Institute is a hands-on, working experience designed for teams of up to 5 leaders from the same institution, ready to move beyond fragmented efforts and build a strategic and outcomes-driven career ecosystem.
COPYRIGHTS ©
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The Career Ecosystem Standard, Defining Institutional Commitment for Career Learning, (Forthcoming).
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Strategic Employer Relations Toolkit, 2026
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The Career Ecosystem Era in Higher Education, Group Discussion Guide, 2025.
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Strategic Planning for Career Centers Toolkit, 2025
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Designing a Career Champions Program Toolkit, 2024
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Kickstart Career Leaders Workbook, 2022, and yearly updated versions
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Aspire Career Leaders Workbook, 2019, and yearly updated versions
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Mastermind Career Leaders Workbook, 2018, and yearly updated versions
BOOKS, REPORTS, & TOOLKITS
Integrating Career Advising for Equitable Student Success
This landmark 2021 research report explores the question: “Can increasing career advising integration into other types of advising and student engagements across campus help to close equity gaps?” Written by: The Career Leadership Collective. Brought to you by the: American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).
In partnership with the: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).
On Behalf of: The Advising Success Network (ASN)
TOOLKIT: Integrating Career Advising for Equitable Student Success
The toolkit complement to the 2021 research report provides actionable steps for campus to take together. Written by: The Career Leadership Collective. Brought to you by the: American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).
In partnership with the: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).
On Behalf of: The Advising Success Network (ASN)