Description
More than 2 million skilled immigrants in the US face structural obstacles to career advancement; surprisingly, 25% of them suffer skill underutilization despite foreign qualifications. With immigrants reaching 70% of lower-end workforce/labor in cities such as Miami and Los Angeles, their potentials need evidence-based assessment and personalized development pathways to become professional impact.
This abstract examines the Hexagon Assessment Framework, a six-dimensional career readiness diagnostic addressing Self (values, purpose, clarity), Territory (market awareness, demand intelligence), Positioning (value articulation, influence), Skills (competencies, mastery), Levers (networks, mentorship, visibility), and Systems (processes, tools, information). The framework informs GB Simplicity Academy's SPG or Simplicity Professional Growth Program, a 6-month hybrid professional development curriculum.
Methodology: Comparative validity testing was conducted against NACE Ready (National Association of Colleges and Employers), Yale Career Assessment Tools, and Ivy League institutional benchmarks. Sample: 12 Miami-based participants (pre/post assessment) across industries.
Reliability metrics: internal consistency alpha (Cronbach = 0.87), test and retest correlation (r = 0.81), and inter-rater agreement. Validity evidence gathered from content analysis (SHRM, PMI, IACET accreditation alignments), response process validation, and career outcome relationships (employment advancement lifespan, salary progression, skill utilization/underutilization).
Preliminary Findings: Strong consistency and test reliability confirmed. SPG Program participants achieved average advancement of 2.3 medal levels (Bronze-Gold proprietary metric scale). The mid-term vision considers a strategic partnership with EcosPro Careers job placement platform aiming at a 68% employment placement within 90 days post-assessment, validating the assessment to employment pipeline.
Status of Research: Ongoing - Phase 3 (execution/mid-program data collection). Phase 4: evaluation/analysis of outcomes complete Q1 2026. Final Dataset: 100+ participants with 10-month tracking of outcomes.
Contribution: This study validates a scalable assessment tool addressing career development - a documented gap with a first focus on immigrant development abroad. We connect rigorous measurement methodology to employment outcomes and advance evidence-based practice in career education and professional integration.
| Affiliation / University / Organization | GB Simplicity Academy |
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