top of page
VR Headset.png

NextStep AI Career &
Life Skills Academy

Preparing Foster Youth for Real Life Not Just Their First Job

Every young person deserves more than a job placement. They deserve the confidence, skills, and clarity to navigate adulthood.

​

NextStep AI Career & Life Skills Academy is a core initiative of the Stephen Braggs Youth Foundation’s Building Pathways to Independence program.

​

The NextStep AI Career & Life Skills Academy is an innovative program of the Stephen Braggs Youth Foundation designed for foster youth and young adults ages 16–23. This program blends life coaching, career readiness, and immersive technology to help youth build real-world skills in a supportive, judgment-free environment.

​

What Is NextStep AI?

NextStep AI is a career and life readiness program that uses virtual reality (VR) experiences, guided coaching, and practical skill-building to help youth prepare for the realities of work, independence, and decision-making.

​

Instead of only talking about careers, youth are able to experience and practice real-life scenarios; building confidence before they encounter them in the real world.

​

Through guided VR training, youth can also work toward industry-aligned pre-certifications that build early credentials and career readiness.

​​​​​

🔹 Life & Career Readiness Training
Practical tools for navigating adulthood, including:

  • communication and workplace skills

  • interview practice and job preparation

  • decision-making and problem-solving

  • professional confidence and self-advocacy​​​​​

​​

🔹 AI & VR Career Exploration
Using immersive VR technology, youth can:

  • explore different career pathways

  • experience real-world workplace scenarios

  • practice responses, communication, and choices

  • work toward industry-aligned pre-certifications through supported VR training

​🔹 Financial Literacy Basics

Youth learn how to:

  • manage money and budgeting basics

  • understand paychecks, saving, and planning

  • avoid common financial traps

  • connect money decisions to long-term stability

​​

​🔹 Ongoing Coaching & Accountability

Youth receive consistent encouragement through:

  • goal setting and progress check-ins

  • coaching support that builds trust and follow-through

  • guidance tailored to each participant’s readiness level

  • builds confidence and strengthen's decision making 

​

How NextStep AI Fits Into Our Programs
NextStep AI is part of SBYF’s broader approach to preparing youth for adulthood. The academy complements our Compass Project retreats, where youth practice these same skills in real-world, experiential environments focused on confidence, mindset, and community.
Together, these programs help youth move from survival mode toward stability and self-direction.
 
Why This Program Matters
Youth aging out of foster care often face:

  • limited access to career guidance

  • interrupted support systems

  • uncertainty about work, money, and independence
     

NextStep AI addresses what traditional programs often miss: readiness, confidence, and real-life preparation.
When youth feel supported and prepared, they are better equipped to make decisions, pursue opportunities, and build sustainable futures.
 
Interested in NextStep AI?
If you’re a youth, partner organization, or community member interested in learning more about the NextStep AI Career & Life Skills Academy, we’d love to connect.  Contact us for more information.

bottom of page