Redefining Career Education Access for Public High Schoolers in the United States
Interface Design | Wireframing & Prototyping | UX Research
Project Role
User Interface Lead
Tool
Figma
Timeline
Q1-2 2023
Team Size
7 UX/UI Designers + 1 Professor
Overview
Across the U.S., public high school students face uneven and often inadequate access to career education. Without structured guidance, many make college decisions without a clear sense of purpose, causing a sharp increase in first-year college dropout rates. The gap is about systemic barriers and a lack of personalized, unbiased support.
Koyu set out to rethink what career education could look like for young people navigating an uncertain future. Framed as a student-first, non-linear exploration system, Odyssey goes beyond traditional career planning tools. She and the team focused on designing an ecosystem, one that empowers students to reflect, explore, and engage in honest conversations with their support networks.
The Problem
30%
of college freshmen drop out after their first year.
40%
of college students end up changing their major at least once.
Only 1
school counselor for every 482 students in U.S. public high schools. (ASCA-2023)
Solution & Impact
Discover career paths through self-assessment
Gain a clearer understanding of your strengths and interests, then explore career paths you might not have thought of but could be a natural fit.
Get the Full Picture Behind Every Career Path
Dive deeper into career paths with curated insights, industry advice, FAQs, and up-to-date job market trends. Each recommendation is tailored to your personality profile, helping you connect your value with what the world needs.
Turn preferences into possibilities
As students rate their interest in different career suggestions, the system will deliver more personalized and relevant options over time. This ongoing feedback loop helps students uncover connections between their preferences and lesser-known but well-matched paths.
Build career path with professional guidance
Schedule a one-on-one session with a career advisor to turn exploration into action. Whether it’s choosing courses, mapping long-term goals, or validating your interests, students get tailored advice and support to make confident, informed decisions about their future.
Lessons Learn
Designing for teens requires empathy, flexibility, and intention.
As designers and educators, Koyu realized that she needs to be intentional about what we ask young people to learn, and even more intentional about how we guide them through it. That means breaking down problems clearly, offering step-by-step support, and always designing with room for curiosity, doubt, and growth. Most importantly, youth thrive when they feel seen, supported, and trusted.
From Ownership to Alignment
Taking the lead on prototyping taught Koyu that initiative is less about ownership and more about creating clarity for the team. She learned how to work closely with the project lead, work within a tight schedule, be flexible in making sudden changes, and be persuasive with her multiple design versions.