How to Help Young People Build Career Confidence Using Free Assessments and AI Coaches
- Jul 17
- 1 min read
At the 2026 JAG EDGE Conference in Long Beach, Eric Shepherd, Executive Director of the Foundation for Talent Transformation, delivered a presentation on how free assessments and AI Coaches could help young people build career confidence.
The session explored how assessments helped young people better understand their strengths, interests, values, preferences, and development opportunities. These insights supported greater self-awareness and more informed conversations about careers, learning, and personal growth.
Attendees also learned how AI Coaches gave young people a private and supportive environment to practice workplace communication. Young people could prepare to ask questions, request feedback, contribute ideas, seek clarification, and speak up when they needed help.
The presentation offered practical strategies for educators, JAG specialists, workforce development professionals, nonprofit leaders, and youth-development practitioners seeking to integrate assessments and AI coaching into career-readiness programs, mentoring, advising, classrooms, and out-of-school-time activities.
The session demonstrated how accessible digital tools could complement the work of trusted adults while helping young people strengthen communication skills, workplace readiness, and confidence.
Eric Shepherd, Executive Director Foundation for Talent Transformation eric.shepherd@talenttransformation.com
If you're looking to bring meaningful insight and practical inspiration to your organization, Eric Shepherd is available to lead engaging workshops, webinars, and seminars that empower individuals and teams to understand themselves and others—so they can thrive personally and professionally. With a deep passion for supporting nonprofit leaders and workforce development professionals, Eric helps participants build self-awareness, enhance collaboration, and strengthen leadership and interpersonal skills. His sessions explore how personal values and purpose align with professional goals, offering actionable tools to navigate today’s rapidly changing world of work and counter the divisive effects of social media echo chambers.
.png)