“Young people feel empowered when using the tool kit, and confident. They learn more about themselves.”
Not every high school or college graduate knows what the next step of their journey looks like. It’s possible that their academic careers, education, life experiences, and passion has prepared them for the next chapter. But what if it hasn’t? Then what?
The Graduation Toolkit is a free graduation gift from The DeBruce Foundation to help graduates explore life after school. Dr. Darren Woodruff, Senior Director at The DeBruce Foundation, leads initiatives and partnerships that expand access to education, workforce preparation, and career opportunities.
The DeBruce Foundation has partnered with Harris-Stowe State University to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools to build an empowered career. The Graduates of the Spring ‘24 Entrepreneurship Accelerator program at HSSU have utilized the tools in the Graduation Toolkit within their program curriculum at HSSU.
“We want to help young people make good decisions about next steps after graduation,” said Woodruff. “Rather it is going to college, or entering the workforce, or becoming an entrepreneur.”
Woodruff believes information is power and partnerships are critical to success. He said he hopes the tool kit helps young people build career literacy and network strength.
The DeBruce Foundation is a national nonprofit foundation, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. The Foundation’s mission is to expand career pathways. The Graduation Toolkit is The DeBruce Foundation’s gift to the Class of 2024, offering a collection of free online tools to equip and empower high school and college graduates.
Most students don’t know how to navigate the myriad of available options to find the best career that fits them, Woodruff said. The Graduation Tool Kit comes with five separate tools, each one designed to fit a specific need.
Agile Work Profiler:
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15-20 minute assessment
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Helps students identify strengths and interests
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Helps students identify specific talents
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Helps students identify their passion
Career Explorer Tools:
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Helps students find jobs
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Tells the salary of chosen career
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Gives additional information on needed education/training
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The tool explains if the career choice is in high demand or not
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List schools and other institutions for education/ training
Income Estimator:
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Students type in the lifestyle they want to have and the income estimator will calculate an estimate on the salary needed to meet those expectations
Resume Builder:
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Helps students build a professional resume
Draw Your Future:
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Helps students who need a visual plan to set their goals
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Students use the template to draw their goals and steps to achieve them
The foundation has done a lot of research to assemble the tool kit, which Woodruff offers to young people of color. “We are trying to erase that gap in knowledge and information about how to start your career,” he said.
“Young people feel empowered when using the tool kit, and confident. They learn more about themselves.” The foundation’s partnership with HSSU helps expand career opportunities among graduating students.
Kristy Jackson, Executive Director of the Anheuser-Busch School of Business Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) at HSSU has embedded the tools included in the Graduation Toolkit within the numerous CIE programs that HSSU offers to scholars and entrepreneurs. Jackson is excited about the partnership with The DeBruce Foundation and implementing the tool kit into HSSU’s curriculum, The Agile Work Profiler is embedded in the program curriculum for the CIE’s MECCA program. It utilizes the Agile Work Profiler to help entrepreneurs discover their skills and interests related to work, or their Agilities.
“It seamlessly embeds in so many spaces,” she said. “It has become a staple in what we’re doing here.”
Jackson favors the assessment test and resume builder portion of the tool kit. She said she believes the Agilities give graduating students a real-life picture of how to map out their success stories.
Chaneyll Anderson, owner of C5 Events & Décor, began her journey into the world of event planning when she planned her wedding. “Despite the initial stress, the process turned out to be incredibly enjoyable,” she said. It was the realization that sparked the idea for her business. After taking the Agile Work Profiler, Anderson learned traits about herself she didn’t even realize she had. “I was pretty surprised to see that I have character development as a skill,” said Anderson.
Woodruff said he plans to partner with other high schools and HBCUs. To learn more visit debruce.org/gradgiftor the St. Louis American.
