Kuder Powers Nebraska's Next Generation of Talent Through Career Exploration and Work-Based Learning

ADEL, Iowa, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kuder, Inc., a leading college and career readiness technology company, has announced a major expansion of its longstanding partnership with the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE). The expansion puts powerful new tools directly in the hands of Nebraska's youngest learners and the educators preparing students for the workforce.

For the first time, Nebraska students in grades PK-5 will have access to interactive career exploration designed just for them, while high schools across the state gain the work-based learning platform infrastructure to connect students with real internships, job shadows, and employer partnerships before they ever graduate, all through the state's custom education and career planning platform, Nebraska Career Connections.

"We believe every student deserves a clear line of sight to their future," said Connor Harrington, CEO of Kuder, Inc. "Deepening our long-term partnership in Nebraska means more students will have that, earlier, more consistently, and with the support of their educators and families along the way."

Starting Career Conversations in Kindergarten

Elementary students will now have access to Kuder Galaxy, an interactive career exploration experience built specifically for PK–5 learners. Through age-appropriate games and activities, young students begin connecting who they are, their interests, strengths, and curiosities, to the world of work, years earlier than most states begin career education.

Starting these conversations earlier gives Nebraska students a head start that few peers nationally receive. By the time they reach middle and high school, students will already have a foundation of self-awareness and curiosity about careers, making every decision that follows, from course selection to college applications, more informed and more confident.

Turning Classrooms Into Launchpads for Real Careers

On the other end of a student's journey, Kuder Connect 2 Business gives Nebraska educators the work-based learning features to manage workplace experiences at scale: coordinating internships, job shadows, and employer partnerships through a single platform built for visibility and accountability.

That means more Nebraska students walking across the graduation stage with real workplace experience already on their resume, and more local employers connected directly to the talent pipeline they'll need for years to come. For a state where workforce readiness is a top economic priority, this expansion turns high schools into a direct bridge to Nebraska's employers.

Additional Tools Supporting the Full Journey

The expansion also strengthens the tools surrounding these two flagship features. Pathways Link connects older students directly with local CTE opportunities in their own communities; Bulk Email lets counselors and administrators reach students and guardians at scale so no family misses a key milestone; Form Builder digitizes evaluations, reflections, and signature collection to cut down on paperwork; and Common App Integration removes friction from the college application process by connecting Kuder's planning tools directly to the Common App. Together, these features ensure that the momentum built in elementary school and the experience gained through work-based learning carry students all the way through to their next step after graduation.

"This is about making sure no Nebraska student misses out on the guidance they need to find their path," said Katie Graham, Ph.D., Nebraska State Director for Career and Technical Education. "Whether a fifth grader is discovering what excites them or a senior is securing real-world experience with a local employer, these tools meet students at every stage and help them move forward with confidence."

Nebraska educators and administrators interested in learning more about the features available in Nebraska Career Connections can reach out to the Kuder team at nebraksacareerconnections.org.

About Kuder

Kuder is a recognized leader in career development and college readiness solutions, serving millions of students, educators, and career practitioners worldwide. Learn more at kuder.com.

About the Nebraska Department of Education

The Nebraska Department of Education provides leadership, support, and resources to help all Nebraska students succeed. Learn more at nde.ne.gov.

SOURCE Kuder, Inc.