The Future of Career Readiness: Why Aptitudes Matter More Than Ever in an AI World with Edson Barton

The Future of Career Readiness: Why Aptitudes Matter More Than Ever in an AI World with Edson Barton

What if the key to career confidence isn't learning more skills, but understanding how you're naturally wired? In this episode of the Career Intelligence Podcast, I sit down with Edson Barton of YouScience to explore why so many students and professionals feel uncertain about their future and what we can do about it. We discuss the difference between aptitudes, interests, and skills, why traditional career assessments often miss the mark, and how understanding your natural strengths can help you make better education and career decisions in a rapidly changing world. We also dive into YouScience's 2026 Post-Graduation Readiness Report, including some eye-opening findings about how prepared today's graduates feel for life after school. If you're a student, recent graduate, parent, educator, career changer, or anyone wondering what's next in an AI-powered future, this conversation will help you better understand the human advantages that technology can't replace. In this episode, you'll learn: • What aptitudes are and why they're different from interests and skills• How self-discovery creates career confidence and direction • Why so many graduates feel unprepared for the future• The role of intentional career exploration and experiential learning • How AI is changing work—and why knowing yourself matters more than ever • Why career readiness should be part of education from an early age Connect with Edson Barton and learn more about YouScience at YouScience.com. [https://youscience.com] ------- We want to hear from you! Connect with us! Betsy Jewell ⁠⁠⁠betsyjewellcoaching.com⁠⁠⁠ [http://betsyjewellcoaching.com] ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyjewell/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyjewell/] Meredith Pasekoff-Dinitz ⁠⁠yourcareerhappinesspc.com⁠⁠ [http://yourcareerhappinesspc.com] ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-pasekoffdinitz/⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-pasekoffdinitz/] Kathleen Dohoney ⁠⁠celticcareerpros.com⁠⁠ [http://celticcareerpros.com] ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleendohoney1/⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleendohoney1/] ------- About our Guest Edson Barton is CEO of YouScience and founder of Industry Certifications (formerly Precision Exams). As a 25-year EdTech veteran, he leads YouScience as it revolutionizes the personalization of career education—bridging the edtech and talent tech markets and solving critical education-to-workforce issues such as the skills gap and program equity and diversity. By providing students a more direct and tangible way to connect their education to their future careers, YouScience improves academic outcomes, including high school graduation rates and postsecondary enrollment and completion rates. As a leader in the education technology industry, Edson has been quoted in numerous reports and media articles, most notably in Forbes, US World & News Report, MSN, and eSchool News. Prior to leading YouScience, Edson was the CEO and co-owner of ProCert Labs, a standards alignment and validation organization, and served as a senior director with Certiport, where he oversaw client activities for Adobe, Autodesk, Intuit, and Microsoft, including worldwide publisher channels. Additionally, he was a sales vice president for Imergent and the executive director for Kids Voting Utah. info@youscience.com [info@youscience.com] youscience.com [http://youscience.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/edsonbarton/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fedsonbarton%2F&user_uuid=BBAHLCDHQRBMWZNZ&stage=1&hmac=bf97c032ca53f38837e7cd281fbba5d6173a0058301cef9ccbbecf0b129f761d] https://www.linkedin.com/company/youscience/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fyouscience%2F&user_uuid=BBAHLCDHQRBMWZNZ&stage=1&hmac=4ddb50eeb680344b25fbe68f48e72af5589de23c6c87f00f62280bc5b68e7e0e]

Tools and Tiaras with Judaline Cassidy

Through hands-on workshops and camps, Judaline Cassidy is introducing girls as young as six years old to careers in STEAM and skilled trades with her program, Tools & Tiaras. Tools & Tiaras is breaking stereotypes early by building confidence and creating real pathways into high-paying, in-demand careers. If we want to close workforce gaps, we need to start by expanding who we expose to these opportunities. We want to hear from you! Connect with us! Kathleen Dohoney celticcareerpros.com [http://celticcareerpros.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleendohoney1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleendohoney1/] Meredith Pasekoff-Dinitz yourcareerhappinesspc.com [http://yourcareerhappinesspc.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-pasekoffdinitz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-pasekoffdinitz/] Betsy Jewell betsyjewellcoaching.com [http://betsyjewellcoaching.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyjewell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyjewell/] Bio Judaline Cassidy is a union plumber, feminist, founder, and disrupter who builds women up the same way she builds buildings, from the ground, with her own two hands. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, she came to New York in 1989 with grit in her bones and big dreams in her carry-on. She made history as one of the first women accepted into Plumbers Local 371 in Staten Island. Then she became the first woman elected to the Examining Board of Plumbers Local Union No. 1 NYC. In 2017, she founded Tools & Tiaras Inc. on one stubborn truth: power tools and tiaras belong in the same sentence. Named ENR's 2025 Award of Excellence winner and one of ENR's 2025 Top 25 Newsmakers, she's also a CNN Champion for Change and L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth honoree. Her trademarked mantra, "Jobs Don't Have Genders®," says it all. Whether she's on a stage, on a job site, or in a room full of little girls learning to solder, Judaline is here to change the game. Judaline Cassidy 🔧 Union Plumber. Feminist. Founder. Disrupter. ENR 2025 Award of Excellence Winner · ENR 2025 Top 25 Newsmaker Founder, Tools & Tiaras Inc. · Plumbers Local Union No. 1 NYC Judaline@toolsandtiaras.org [Judaline@toolsandtiaras.org] https://www.linkedin.com/in/tools-and-tiaras-inc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tools-and-tiaras-inc/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/judaline-cassidy-b1570021/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judaline-cassidy-b1570021/] https://www.toolsandtiaras.org/ Check out her video: “Award of Excellence”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vDt7Ufsm5A [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vDt7Ufsm5A]

6 Ways to Stay Visible and Build Career Momentum This Summer

Is summer really a “dead zone” for networking and career growth? Not even close. In this episode of the Career Intelligence Podcast, Betsy Jewell is joined by fellow career coaches Kathleen Dohoney and Meredith Dinitz to share practical strategies for building career momentum during the summer months, even when hiring feels slower. Together, they discuss how to stay visible, strengthen your network, develop in-demand skills, and position yourself for opportunities before the busy fall hiring season begins. From networking without feeling transactional to building proof of work, volunteering strategically, using LinkedIn more effectively, and developing AI fluency, this episode is packed with actionable career advice for today’s job market. Whether you are a college student, recent graduate, career changer, mid-career professional, or actively job searching, these tips will help you use the summer intentionally and avoid the September panic. In this episode, we discuss:• Summer networking strategies that actually work• How to build proof of work and stand out to employers• Why volunteering can create career opportunities• How to stay visible on LinkedIn during slower hiring periods• AI fluency and digital skills employers are looking for• Why relationship-building matters more than mass applying• How to create career momentum before fall hiring ramps up If you are looking for practical career advice, networking tips, job search strategies, LinkedIn guidance, or ways to future-proof your career in an AI-driven job market, this episode is for you. ======== We want to hear from you! Connect with us! Betsy Jewell ⁠betsyjewellcoaching.com⁠ [http://betsyjewellcoaching.com] LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyjewell/⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyjewell/] Meredith Pasekoff-Dinitz yourcareerhappinesspc.com [http://yourcareerhappinesspc.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-pasekoffdinitz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-pasekoffdinitz/] Kathleen Dohoney celticcareerpros.com [http://celticcareerpros.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleendohoney1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleendohoney1/] Links and Resources Udemy [https://www.udemy.com/] Coursera [https://www.coursera.org/] AppSumo [https://appsumo.com/]

Career Cushioning: Is It Helping or Hurting Your Career?

Career cushioning is one of the most talked about workplace trends right now, but many professionals are already doing it without even realizing there is a name for it. Scrolling job boards during your lunch break. Saving roles you are not sure you want. Updating your resume with no real intention of sending it anywhere. Sound familiar? In this episode of the Career Intelligence Podcast, Meredith Dinitz explores why so many professionals are quietly keeping their options open and what that reveals about how people are thinking about work, job security, layoffs, AI, and career stability right now. Meredith shares: * The difference between strategic career cushioning and anxiety driven career cushioning * Why so many professionals are feeling uncertain about work right now * How to stay connected to the market without becoming consumed by fear * Questions to ask yourself if you are quietly wondering what comes next Whether you are actively job searching or simply rethinking your future, this episode offers a thoughtful and practical perspective on navigating career uncertainty in a rapidly changing workplace. We want to hear from you! Connect with us! Meredith Pasekoff-Dinitz yourcareerhappinesspc.com [http://yourcareerhappinesspc.com]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-pasekoffdinitz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-pasekoffdinitz/] Betsy Jewell betsyjewellcoaching.com [http://betsyjewellcoaching.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyjewell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyjewell/] Kathleen Dohoney celticcareerpros.com [http://celticcareerpros.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleendohoney1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleendohoney1/]

Writing Resumes and Career Documents using AI with Denise Bitler

AI can write a resume in seconds, but can it actually tell your story? In this episode, Kathleen Dohoney welcomes Denise Bitler of Pinnacle Executive Career Partners [https://www.pinnaclecareerpartners.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] for a conversation to unpack the growing role of artificial intelligence in resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, and career strategy. Denise’s philosophy, “The power of AI, guided by human expertise. Grounded by ethics,” sets the tone for a discussion focused on the smart use of technology in today’s job market. What are the biggest mistakes people make when using AI-generated content? *  Over-polished resumes *  Fabricated information *  Generic messaging that fails to differentiate candidates.  Denise explains how to use AI as a brainstorming and research partner while still maintaining authenticity and strategic positioning. The episode also includes practical tips for writing stronger prompts, using voice tools to improve content flow, and researching companies more effectively before interviews. Whether you’re actively job searching or simply trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode offers a realistic look at how AI is reshaping career development today. ------------------ We want to hear from you! Connect with us! Kathleen Dohoney celticcareerpros.com [http://celticcareerpros.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleendohoney1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleendohoney1/] Meredith Pasekoff-Dinitz yourcareerhappinesspc.com [http://yourcareerhappinesspc.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-pasekoffdinitz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-pasekoffdinitz/] Betsy Jewell betsyjewellcoaching.com [http://betsyjewellcoaching.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyjewell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyjewell/] About our Guest Denise Bitler is the founder of Pinnacle Executive Career Partners and creator of the TRANSCEND Framework, a comprehensive executive and board-level career branding and advancement program. An award-winning executive coach and industry thought leader in executive career strategy and the ethical use of AI, Denise is a trusted advisor to senior leaders, C-Suite executives, and board candidates.   A nationally recognized and sought-after conference speaker, webinar and workshop developer, and podcast guest, she is known for delivering innovative, high-impact content on leadership branding, interview performance, AI-powered job search strategies, and storytelling that drives influence and opportunity. Her company was named Career Coaching Company of the Year 2025/26, and she was recognized as one of the Top 15 Coaches in Tampa (2025).  When she’s not coaching or speaking, Denise develops training resources for career professionals seeking to elevate their practices and stay ahead of evolving trends. Her work continues to shape industry standards in branding, storytelling, and AI adoption, always with an emphasis on integrity, innovation, and measurable impact. Denise Bitler, MRW, MJSC, CHJMC, CERW, CDBS, CPRW, CICNC dbitler@pinnacleexecutivecareerpartners.com 610-564-9623 (Eastern Time Zone - USA) www.pinnacleexecutivecareerpartners.com [http://www.pinnacleexecutivecareerpartners.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-bitler/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-bitler/]