{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Solve for X","title":"Building Real Pathways for Every Student Beyond High School With Sophie Smith and Leah Guesman","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/edc8d1a2\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2408,"description":"This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Sophie Smith, Founder and CEO, and Leah Guesman, Co-Founder of College Contact.\nWhat started as a viral TikTok moment during COVID quickly turned into a fast-growing company helping thousands of students navigate life after high school. Sophie and Leah share how a “happy accident” exposed a massive gap in college and career guidance, and how they built a near-peer coaching model to support students in ways traditional systems cannot.\nTogether, they unpack the reality facing school counselors today, why students are overwhelmed and often disengaged from their futures, and how personalized, human-centered support can reignite confidence and direction. From college admissions to career pathways, scholarships, and workforce readiness, this conversation highlights how education systems can better meet students where they are.\nIf you are an educator, parent, or leader trying to help students navigate an increasingly complex future, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what actually works.\nWhat You’ll LearnHow a viral TikTok video led to the creation of College Contact and a nationwide student support network\nWhy traditional counseling models struggle to meet the needs of today’s students\nThe power of near-peer coaching and why students respond differently to it\nHow Gen Z approaches decision-making, including the role of social media and AI\nWhy students are more focused on ROI and career outcomes than ever before\nThe hidden questions students have that never make it to a counselor’s office\nHow College Contact supports pathways beyond college, including careers, trades, and military options\nThe importance of individualized guidance for every student’s unique situation\nHow districts can use postsecondary outcomes as a competitive advantage\nWhy accessibility, flexibility, and real human interaction matter in student support\nLessons learned as young founders navigating entrepreneurship and building in...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/ICghszv8nAx-6isl02_dCXZ8qX2a8xiWRtrzRrHIAJo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wOTQ5/MmZjNjk1ODU4ZWE4/YmFmMmZhMWJlZjEy/M2FmYy5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}