# Career Planning Beyond the College Track: How Work-Based Learning Expands Career Options for Students

By Michael B. Horn · Published 2025-05-02 · Updated 2026-06-08 · Education Technology on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/career-planning-beyond-the-college-track-how-work-based-learning-expands-career-options-for-students
Creator hub: The Future of Education with Michael Horn

> Students are discovering viable career pathways that skip the traditional four-year college route and lead to six-figure earning potential

## Key points

- MEFA Pathway is a free college and career planning platform serving middle and high school students across Massachusetts with localized tools and counselor support.
- MEFA has evolved from a college-focused financing authority to a holistic postsecondary planning resource that includes career exploration and work-based learning.
- Middle-skill jobs requiring only a certificate or associate's degree can pay over $53,000 early in a career and rise to $80,000 at mid-career, according to Georgetown's CEW.

Block Field

As debates around the value of college heat up and the demand for skilled workers rises, a growing number of educators and policymakers are rethinking the "college for all" mindset. A [2024 report](https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/high-paying-middle-skills/?utm_source=chatgpt.com#resources) from Georgetown's CEW found that many middle-skill jobs—requiring only a certificate or associate's degree—pay over $53,000 annually early on in a career and rise to $80,000 by mid-career. Now, guidance systems are evolving to support a [broader range](https://marketscale.com/industries/original-series/future-of-education/linking-education-with-employment-navajo-nation-aspire-ability-fighting-underemployment/) of postsecondary paths including career training, technical education, and work-based learning.

> Many middle-skill jobs—requiring only a certificate or associate's degree—pay over $53,000 annually early on in a career and rise to $80,000 by mid-career.

So, how do we help students and families make informed choices in an increasingly complex education and career landscape?

In this episode of [*The Future of Education*](https://marketscale.com/shows/the-future-of-education-with-michael-horn/), host [Michael Horn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbhorn/) is joined by **Jonathan Hughes**, Associate Director of College Planning and Education at the [**Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority**](https://www.mefa.org/) (MEFA). They dive into how **MEFA Pathway**—a free college and career planning platform—helps middle and high school students across Massachusetts explore interests, understand their options, and prepare for life after graduation.

**Key moments in the conversation include…**

- How MEFA Pathway differentiates itself from other platforms by offering free access, training, and localized tools for students and educators.
- The evolution of MEFA's mission from college-focused financing to holistic postsecondary planning, including career exploration and work-based learning opportunities.
- The growing role of lesson plans, counselor engagement, and employer partnerships in preparing students for multiple paths after high school.

### About the Guest

**Jonathan Hughes** is the Associate Director of College Planning and Education at MEFA, where he has over two decades of experience helping students and families navigate college financing and planning. Since joining MEFA in 2001, he has led customer service initiatives and developed educational resources across savings, loans, and career pathway programs. Earlier in his career, he gained operational experience in data entry and healthcare systems while working at Partners HealthCare.

Tags: career planning, Jonathan Hughes, Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, work-based learning

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