What happens when career exploration tools are put behind bars?
Picture this: You’re navigating one of the hardest chapters of your life, but instead of being given a roadmap, you’re left to figure it out alone. That’s the reality for many incarcerated individuals trying to prepare for life post-release. But in 2024, Roadtrip Nation and Edovo teamed up to change that.
Edovo, a learning platform dedicated to providing educational, vocational, and rehabilitative programs to incarcerated Americans, partnered with career exploration nonprofit Roadtrip Nation to bring life-changing career content to over 900,000 incarcerated individuals.
Who’s Who?
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Roadtrip Nation
Roadtrip Nation has spent over two decades inspiring people to explore careers through storytelling, digital tools, and project-based learning. Their five-lesson course, the Roadtrip Nation Experience, helps learners connect their interests to real career paths while building digital literacy and confidence. And their latest documentary, Being Free, takes viewers on a journey with three formerly incarcerated individuals who carved out fulfilling careers after leaving the system.
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Why This Matters
Until recently, half of America’s incarcerated population had little to no access to structured career exploration. But thanks to this partnership, that’s no longer the case. With Edovo’s reach across more than 1,100 correctional facilities, Roadtrip Nation’s career education tools are now available to 50% of incarcerated individuals in the U.S.
The Proof Is in the Data: Real Impact in Year One
If you’re wondering whether this kind of initiative actually moves the needle, the answer is a resounding yes.
Over 63,000 incarcerated individuals participated in the Roadtrip Nation Experience in its first year on Edovo.
Before diving into the Roadtrip Nation Experience, participants took a pre-course survey, ranking their awareness of career resources, their ability to connect interests to career paths, and their confidence in setting and reaching career goals.
Fast forward through five lessons, and we asked them the same questions in a post-course survey—plus, they had the chance to drop additional feedback.
Then came the real test: comparing pre- and post-course responses to see if the needle moved. We focused on the percentage of participants who selected “Agree” or “Strongly Agree” for each statement before and after the course. The results? Let’s just say, they speak for themselves. Here’s how it changed their outlook on careers:
Career Sentiment Growth After the Roadtrip Nation Experience
19%
increase in knowing the steps to reach career goals
17.4%
increase in awareness of available career opportunities
14.9%
increase in networking and role model connection skills
12.1%
increase in confidence in achieving career goals
10.1%
increase in having clear career goals
Career Sentiment Growth After the Roadtrip Nation Experience
The Words That Say It All
After completing the Roadtrip Nation Experience course, participants were asked, “How has this experience impacted you?” Here’s what they had to say:
"This prison experience has taken a lot from me, especially educational and rehabilitative opportunities. Edovo is the experience that gives me the opportunity to teach myself to heal, feel, and educate myself."
"I must start things off with one of the most meaningful and grateful thank yous that I have ever given anyone before. Thank you so much to the entire staff at Edovo."
"Edovo gave me the tools and encouragement I needed to start fresh. I’m building a future I can be proud of, and that’s something I never thought was possible."
"Thanks to Edovo, I am definetly going to make a difference. I won't make excuses anymore because it's my choice and decision, no one else. Through Edovo, I am now prepared for re-eentry and have the guided tools needed to open up my business."