Results from NACE’s 2026 Career Services Benchmarking Poll on AI show a big shift in just a few years in how AI is integrating into the work of career centers. Eighty-six percent of career centers are using AI as an assistive tool when working with individual students—up sharply from just 20% in 2023 and 76% in 2025.

For generations, the transition from college to career followed a relatively stable script, and entry-level jobs were not just jobs; they were training grounds. Now we’re seeing a shift away from that traditional path. So, whose responsibility is it to prepare students for work?

Volunteering to serve as a mentor can be one of the most powerful ways to give back because it directly shapes future generations and helps them grow both personally and professionally.

The irreplaceable value of career staff is found in their judgment, personal relationships, and the human capacity to help a student understand who they are becoming, not just where they are applying.