GradUp
Overview:
Research Plan:
Our main focus initially was to figure out where GradUp could position itself in the market for products and services dedicated to helping first generation and low income students attend college. We conducted a competitive analysis and discovered that most school districts were already paying for products that supplement the work that teachers and counselors are doing inside schools. From there, we needed to figure out the struggles that students and school professionals face when confronted with the college application process.
Research Overview:
Initial Research:
Out of 33 first generation students surveyed, nearly 67% say they have received help from their school counselor with the college application process. Less than 40% say that they have received help from their parents and teachers.
Out of the 33 first generation students surveyed, 85% say that they would like to have access to a support system to help them with the college application process.
Competitive Analysis:
Students have access to a variety of free services and resources
There is not a lot of engagement with the students on a personal level
Survey Observations:
Students find the college application process to be difficult
The college application process takes anywhere between 1-5 years to complete
Important Factors to Consider for Chicago Public Schools:
Freshmen on Track - A metric used by CPS to determine if students will graduate. CPS uses this metric to identify and support students who need additional help
School budgets are tight and they need to be assured that the product they are paying for will help them meet their goals
The School Ecosystem:
Students receive support from a variety of different outlets
Digital tools exist to assist parents, teachers, students, and counselors in the college application process
Despite a support system in place whose purpose is to help students get into college, there are unique factors outside of this ecosystem that play a role in the lives of first generation and low income students that influence their academics.
What We Heard:
Synthesis:
Solution and Ideation:
Solution Should…
Foster mentorship between students and professionals
Create awareness of post-secondary career readiness options earlier in students’ high school years
Measure attainability and selectivity on a personalized level
Solution Overview:
The coworking mentality was a very powerful influence for GradUp. GradUp is a team consisting of a high school student, a college student, and a professional who support one another both academically and socially.
The High School Student student receives mentorship and academic assistance from a college student who recently completed that journey and a professional who comes from a similar background and has mutual career interests.
The College Student is able to give back through mentorship while receiving career readiness advice from a professional in their chosen field.
The Professional acts as the leader of the team, facilitating meetings, visits to their office, and providing advice to the students.
Academic Component:
Each member of the team is required to complete a project over the course of the school year related to a mutual interest. The example shown here is related to coding. The students have the option of changing their area of interest over the course of the program.
Digital Component:
The digital component needed to have:
Resources for members
Partnerships
A description of the program
Dashboard for users
Moving Forward:
Moving forward, GradUp will need to hire a variety of people to get the program off the ground including a curriculum designer and a developer. They will need to partner with schools, colleges, and professionals within their network, and they have some initial costs that will get the project off the ground and moving forward. If you would like to learn more about how I considered future business needs in the creation of the GradUp program, please contact me!