College and Career Connect

College and career readiness doesn’t just happen in schools—it’s a shared effort that involves the whole community. That’s why Indiana Youth Institute is hosting a series of local College & Career Connect events to bring together youth-serving professionals, educators, and community partners passionate about preparing Indiana’s youth for what’s next.

Whether your organization supports young people through life skills, leadership development, teamwork, communication, or other essential “soft skills,” your work is a critical part of college and career readiness. These local events are designed with youth-serving organizations in mind! Join us to connect with others in your region, share what’s working, exchange resources, and explore new ways to collaborate.

What to Expect at Your Local College & Career Connect

We’ll kick things off with a light breakfast, coffee, and time to network with fellow youth-serving professionals from your region. Then, we’ll dive into 90-minute interactive sessions designed to spark conversation and share insight:

• Learn about resources and support available from IYI
• Participate in a hands-on activity to identify local strengths, challenges, and opportunities in college and career readiness
• Hear quick spotlights from local partners, including youth-serving organizations, postsecondary institutions, and community leaders

We’ll wrap up with small group conversations, resource sharing, and time to build new partnerships that support youth success in your community.

What will you take away?

•  A Clearer Picture of Local Needs: Your input will shape a regional report that highlights what’s working—and where more support is needed—to better serve Indiana’s youth.
• A Voice in Shaping Statewide Solutions: Your ideas and experiences will directly inform how we help young people succeed beyond high school.
• Stronger Connections and a Growing Network: Connect with fellow youth-serving professionals, share resources, spark new ideas, and grow your college and career readiness network across your region and the state.