Career planning shouldn’t feel like a solo journey, but for many workers — especially job seekers without a four-year degree — it does. People who are skilled through alternative routes (STARs) often navigate a maze of options with little guidance, leading them to feel as though they must make career decisions based on guesswork rather than clear pathways. On top of that, many job seekers encounter predatory services that overpromise and underdeliver, fueling distrust in career resources. That’s why SkillUp prioritizes career coaching and wraparound support.
“Merely creating access to training and job listings isn’t enough. People need access to trusted, high-quality guidance to make confident, informed career moves. This is particularly important when someone is the first in their family to pursue a professional career field, or for those who have little or no social capital,” said Desirée Jewell, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications at SkillUp. “Whether through one-on-one coaching, group sessions or real-time text-based support, we help STARs navigate their options, understand job requirements and determine where they’ll see the highest success. Whether they’re ready to apply now or need additional training to get there, we ensure every worker has a clear, supported pathway to a lasting career.”
Finding a Job Shouldn’t Be a Solo Effort
For many job seekers, the search for meaningful work is fraught with frustration and uncertainty. Applications go unanswered and networking can feel like a mystery. It’s hard to know whether the right strategies are used to stand out. For those experiencing prolonged unemployment, the emotional toll can be just as daunting as the job search itself, with continued motivation and confidence becoming an uphill battle. “Even those who are currently employed often struggle with unclear expectations, limited feedback or feeling undervalued in their roles,” said Jewell. Without the right guidance, navigating the job market can feel like an isolating and discouraging process.
That’s where career coaching makes all the difference. Whether it’s helping job seekers refine their approach to networking, build stronger professional brands or explore new industries with confidence, coaching provides tangible strategies that lead to positive outcomes. It also ensures that those already in the workforce have the support they need to navigate workplace challenges, advocate for themselves and grow into long-term, fulfilling careers.
At SkillUp, we take a human-centered approach to workforce navigation. Our coaching partnerships help STARs gain practical career insights, build confidence and connect with pathways that make sense for their goals. Through our multi-pronged supports, we meet job seekers where they are — literally and figuratively.
Four Ways SkillUp Offers Coaching Services
- Group career coaching: We offer our users free, bi-weekly career coaching group sessions that cover topics like job search strategies, remote work and upskilling. This partnership with InsideTrack has helped more than 14,000 people gain confidence and knowledge in their job search.
- Real-time, text-based coaching: SkillUp’s collaboration with Empower Work provides confidential, real-time text-based coaching to help workers tackle immediate challenges like interview nerves, job offer negotiations and career pivots. In just the first few months since launching, over 3,000 of our users have engaged with this accessible, low-barrier support system.
- One-on-one local coaching: Supporting job seekers as they navigate their regional job markets is crucial. We provide tailored career navigation support in partnership with organizations like the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia Works and Western Nevada Community College, helping people identify opportunities that align with local hiring needs.
- On-demand career support: SkillUp offers a wide range of self-guided career resources such as AI-powered career exploration tools, expert-led resume and interview tips, quick career coaching soundbites and step-by-step job search guides. These resources provide job seekers who prefer to self-guide the right information — anytime, anywhere.
The Results Speak for Themselves
Coaching isn’t just a “nice to have” — it’s a game-changer for job seekers who need more than just a job listing. According to recent InsideTrack data:
- 89% of group coaching participants walked away with a clear career action plan
- Nearly half of job seekers reported increased confidence in their career path
- The most valuable coaching takeaways included resume optimization, networking strategies and job search tactics
As one participant put it:
“I knew I had the skills. I just didn’t know how to prove it to employers. After coaching, I finally had a plan — and the confidence to go for it.”
Another shared:
“It was an amazing experience, not only to connect with a community of other job seekers, but also to reflect on ways to use your skills outside of your original career plan.”
Text-based career coaching data demonstrates the effectiveness of accessible coaching and support services:
- 91% of those who connected with Empower Work report improved mental health
- Nine out of ten users recommend Empower Work’s text-based coaching services to a friend
According to an Empower Work user:
“Chatting with my peer counselor was a grounding experience. These last few decades have been rough and the past few years even harder. But in that conversation, I felt heard, supported and valued. I can’t thank the coaches who dedicate their time to helping people like me enough.”
What’s Next: Scaling Coaching and Expanding Access
SkillUp is committed to expanding career coaching and support services in 2025, with new initiatives including:
- AI-Powered Career Coaching: We launched SkillUp AI, currently in beta testing, to provide personalized, skills-first career navigation on demand and at scale. Integration across our platform experience is planned for later in 2025.
- Expanded One-on-One Coaching Networks: Beginning in April, we will partner with SOAR and Eastern Kentucky’s Runway Program to provide local coaching and mentorship support to job seekers in rural Kentucky communities.
- Ask Anything Office Hours: We will host a recurring “Ask Anything” office hours-style forum with a professional career coach.
- More On-Demand Career Resources: We continue to add short video modules, skill-building exercises and interactive career tools to make career guidance even more accessible.
“We need to provide better career support, and coaching provides a critical bridge between job seekers and real, sustainable career pathways,” said Jewell. “As we scale SkillUp’s coaching initiatives, we invite workforce organizations, funders and partners to join us in ensuring that every worker has access to the guidance, tools and support they need to thrive.”
🔗 Want to learn more? Check out our career coaching resources, or explore even more impact metrics from our coaching and wraparound supports in the SkillUp Pulse newsletter on LinkedIn.
