Youth Voices: How Self-Assessment Develops Occupational Identity and Builds Career Confidence
- Jul 10
- 1 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
At the 2026 JAG EDGE Conference in Long Beach, the Foundation for Talent Transformation partnered with the Bresee Foundation to present a youth-centered discussion about how self-assessment could strengthen career confidence, clarity, and occupational identity.
The session featured Eric Shepherd, Executive Director of the Foundation for Talent Transformation; Alexandra Mayugba, Educational and Career Development Director; Serjio Acevedo, Workforce Development Coordinator and Career Pathways Facilitator at the Bresee Foundation; and three youth panelists from Bresee’s Career Pathways Program: Josue Alfaro, Emily Aquino Perez, and Emily Martinez.
The panel explored how free online assessments helped young people better understand their strengths, interests, values, and development opportunities. These insights supported more meaningful conversations about career possibilities and future planning.
Attendees also learned how the Bresee Foundation used assessment results to strengthen its career pathways programming, mentoring, career exploration activities, and events such as career fairs.
The session offered practical strategies for educators, JAG specialists, workforce professionals, nonprofit leaders, and youth-development practitioners seeking scalable tools to support young people.
Most importantly, the discussion demonstrated the value of designing programs with young people, not simply for them.
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