Districts and postsecondary leaders report students are redefining success after high school, with growing interest in applied training, technical credentials and industry‑aligned pathways. Schools are updating counseling and career‑readiness programs to highlight shorter, job‑focused routes as viable alternatives to four‑year degrees, a shift driven by students’ concern about return on investment and automation risks. At the same time, employers and labor‑market research show a widening skills mismatch: many graduates signal broad, generalist competencies while employers seek specialized, execution‑oriented skills. Colleges and workforce partners are responding with credential design, stackable certificates, and stronger employer partnerships to improve job placement and align curricula to demand.