Building Real Pathways for Every Student Beyond High School With Sophie Smith and Leah Guesman

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.

What 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.

Together, 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.

If 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.


What You’ll Learn

• How a viral TikTok video led to the creation of College Contact and a nationwide student support network
  
  
• Why traditional counseling models struggle to meet the needs of today’s students
  
  
• The power of near-peer coaching and why students respond differently to it
  
  
• How Gen Z approaches decision-making, including the role of social media and AI
  
  
• Why students are more focused on ROI and career outcomes than ever before
  
  
• The hidden questions students have that never make it to a counselor’s office
  
  
• How College Contact supports pathways beyond college, including careers, trades, and military options
  
  
• The importance of individualized guidance for every student’s unique situation
  
  
• How districts can use postsecondary outcomes as a competitive advantage
  
  
• Why accessibility, flexibility, and real human interaction matter in student support
  
  
• Lessons learned as young founders navigating entrepreneurship and building in education

Episode Timestamps


01:20 The origin story and “happy accident”

02:30 Building a near-peer coaching network

04:03 The counseling gap in schools

05:47 The power of relatable mentorship

10:07 What students aren’t asking counselors

14:03 Changing student mindset about careers

17:48 How College Contact ensures coach quality

21:16 Expanding beyond college into careers

25:49 Real student success story and ROI

30:18 Lessons from entrepreneurship challenges

34:55 Handling advice, pressure, and growth

37:56 Final reflections and how to connect


Connect with Us
Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/
Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerschool-group


Special Thanks
To Sophie Smith and Leah Guesman for sharing their journey, their mission, and their commitment to helping every student find a path forward with confidence and clarity.


Stay Connected
Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration. Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

What is Solve for X?

Solve for X is the podcast where district leaders and EdTech innovators come together to tackle the real challenges in K–12 education. Hosted by Dr. Rick Fernandez, each episode explores what schools truly need, how vendors respond, and how stronger partnerships can lead to smarter solutions and better outcomes for students.