FloridaACE 2026

This presentation shares the results of a statewide benchmarking study of career services technology across 19 Florida colleges and universities. Evaluating more than 18 platforms across job skills, career exploration, and job search, the study identifies dominant tools such as LinkedIn Learning, Big Interview, and Handshake, highlights emerging momentum around Career Forge, and surfaces widespread dissatisfaction with cost versus actual student utilization. While most platforms are functionally sound, the data reveals consistent challenges: fragmented systems, limited integration, rising subscription costs, and underuse by students. As institutions increasingly turn to free or low-cost AI tools to fill gaps, the presentation argues that technology is no longer the primary bottleneck. Instead, effective adoption depends on intentional team roles, ownership of the student journey, and strategic integration into advising workflows.