Centering Career Navigation with Learner and Earner Voices
Highlights from the 2025 Learner Voice Symposium
Our 2025 L/Earner Voice Symposium brought together educators, employers, policymakers, and – most importantly – learners and earners to explore how Colorado can build career navigation systems that reflect learners’ real experiences, aspirations, and needs.
A clear theme emerged throughout the morning: Career advising works best when it’s shaped by learner and earner voices and backed by strong, coordinated systems that help learners thrive.
View our video highlights of the Symposium:
Keynote Highlight: Leaning In
Dr. Roberto Montoya, Senior Vice President at Colorado Mesa University, spoke with warmth and humility as he shared how CMU is “leaning in” at a moment when many institutions are cutting back – doubling the size of its advising team and embedding advisors across campuses to support the whole student.
“Our advisors don’t just process forms; they build trust, look students in the eye, and say, ‘You belong here,’” said Dr. Montoya.
From Apprenticeships to Data Tools
Presenters in our seven breakout sessions emphasized that strong advising and mentoring relationships help learners stay motivated, navigate complexity, and see themselves in high-value careers.
- CareerWise shared how the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship program is supporting future teachers in rural Colorado as they blend work and learning.
- ActivateWork demonstrated how data tools can help learners make informed, timely decisions by showing clear wage and employment trajectories.
- Ednium explored how their five principles of agency can frame a new way of supporting learners,
- CEI partners in the field shared on how they use student voice to shape decision making and enhance their pathway programs;
- MSU Denver’s Brewery Science Program, the Denver Botanic Gardens, and the C2Hub Industry Partnership Team showed how hands-on training deepens learners’ industry skills.
- Careers in Construction Colorado shared their approach to developing strong relationships with both learners and employers to help each effectively navigate workforce challenges.
- The San Luis Valley Career-Connected Partnership shared upskilling strategies that are building a homegrown pipeline of healthcare professionals.
📑 Access all session slides and resources here »
Now is the Time to Focus on Career Advising
With recent legislation requiring all high school students to complete a credential, postsecondary coursework, or work-based learning – the L/Earner Voice Symposium came at the perfect time to ensure our career advising systems and practices are aligned, accessible, relevant, and grounded in the voices of those navigating their careers.
Many thanks to our sponsors, CareerWise, Better Data for Better Decisions, and CHFA. Their generous support enabled this event to be provided at no cost to all educators, employers and policymakers committed to strengthening career-connected learning across Colorado.
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