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Kerry McKittrick | Team Profile

Writer: Project on Workforce Team
Project on Workforce Team
Apr 9, 2024
9 min read

Updated: Oct 15

Kerry McKittrick profile image

Kerry McKittrick is the Executive Director of the Project on Workforce, where she works at the intersection of research, policy, and practice to transform the systems that connect people to education, work, and economic opportunity.


Kerry's work focuses on how education and workforce systems can help people navigate pathways to meaningful careers in a changing labor market. Her research on postsecondary transitions, state and federal workforce policy, career navigation, and career and technical education has informed policy and practice nationwide. Kerry serves on multiple advisory boards focused on expanding economic opportunity and was selected as a 2025 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow, where she is part of a national cohort of cross-sector leaders working to improve the lives of children and families.


Prior to joining the Project on Workforce, Kerry served as a Senior Policy Advisor to Congressman Jim Langevin, where she led federal policy spanning education, workforce development, and child welfare issues. She also served as a Senior Manager at Jobs for the Future, where she partnered with executive leadership to develop and oversee cross-organizational strategic initiatives. Kerry started her career in politics as the successful campaign manager for Massachusetts State Representative Ken Gordon.


She holds a master’s degree in Education Policy and Analysis from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she was distinguished as a Leadership in Education Fellow, and a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Brown University. She is a frequent speaker on education and workforce transformation.



CONTENTS


Selected Research & Projects

As generative AI reshapes work and skill demands, traditional approaches to workforce development are no longer sufficient. This report presents a new model for how community colleges can continuously adapt to changing workforce and learner needs through better use of data, technology, and institutional decision-making.

This report details findings from a two-year, mixed-methods study examining how low-wage workers and community college students navigate their careers, including how they access, interpret, and use education and career information.

This research examines how Governors are leveraging WIOA and other policies to design, fund, and implement workforce development strategies in an evolving economic landscape.

In their article for the American Educator, authors Kerry McKittrick, Co-Director of the Project on Workforce, and Robert Schwartz, Professor Emeritus at Harvard Graduate School of Education, discuss what 'college and career ready' looks like in practice, career pathways and the role of community colleges, and what career-connected learning at scale looks like in states across the country.

The Workforce Futures Initiative is a collaboration by the American Enterprise Institute, the Brookings Institution, and the Harvard Kennedy School Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy. The initiative aims to develop concise and actionable reviews of existing research for federal, state, and local policymakers. Since August 2021, the group has provided a forum for researchers and practitioners to discuss policy ideas, evaluate evidence, and identify priorities for new research on the future of work and the public workforce system.


This playbook provides a framework to help college better deliver on the American Dream by creating a coherent, comprehensive taxonomy of the landscape of college-to-jobs programs and policies through a review of the existing academic research according to a set of common criteria. With a focus on public two-year and four-year colleges, Minority Serving Institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, it identifies 13 “interventions” within the college ecosystem that could be used to ease the transition into good jobs in the workforce.

The paper conducts a comprehensive review of career navigation, identifying core drivers of success and various supportive interventions. Proposing 10 principles for equitable career navigation, it calls for collective action from policymakers, employers, educators, and philanthropists to build an effective and inclusive career navigation ecosystem.

The COVID-19 pandemic placed strain on the healthcare workforce, prompting emergency measures and innovative programs nationwide. This post highlights the impact of the American Rescue Plan Act and the subsequent stabilization of the healthcare workforce. While many states have suspended emergency funding, certain policy initiatives developed during the pandemic may offer solutions to future workforce challenges. The paper includes a table categorizing programs and policies adopted by states to address healthcare worker supply issues during the pandemic, offering insights for Massachusetts and others on effective recruitment and retention strategies.

The post discusses how employment growth outpaced college graduate growth in certain regions from 2014 to 2019, causing a misalignment between the labor market and higher education. It examines examples such as New Orleans and Laredo, TX, where employment grew significantly, but college graduates did not match this pace, leading to challenges in various industries. The analysis emphasizes the importance of aligning education with workforce demands and provides insights into specific occupations experiencing shortages. The College-to-Jobs Map is recommended for further exploration, with methodology details provided.

This report presents the findings of an analysis of promising state strategies to advance equity in secondary career and technical education (CTE). We examined state and territory Perkins V performance data, as reported to the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education, across three indicators: post-program placement, postsecondary credential attainment, and work-based learning participation and spotlight states or territories in which marginalized student populations are performing above the state aggregate level on these key indicators.

Selected Media


In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark dives into the intersection of education and workforce innovation with Kerry McKittrick, Co-Director of Harvard’s Project on Workforce. Together, they explore the evolving job market in the AI era, discussing challenges like the “AI job apocalypse” and the importance of creating agile pathways to economic mobility. Kerry highlights the critical role of work-based learning, industry partnerships, and personalized career navigation to prepare learners for a complex and dynamic workforce. Tune in to hear about the future of work, education’s response, and how regional and adaptive pathways can create equitable opportunities for all.

Authors Joseph Fuller and Kerry McKittrick argue in their latest Op-Ed in Work Shift that the U.S. public workforce system often channels individuals into low-wage jobs with limited prospects for advancement, thereby hindering economic mobility and national competitiveness. They highlight that over 40% of participants in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs earn less than $25,000 annually post-training, frequently entering roles like medical assistants and nursing aides, which offer median incomes as low as $20,200 per year and scarce growth opportunities. This issue disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic women, perpetuating occupational segregation and economic instability. To address these challenges, the authors advocate for a shift in the public workforce system's focus from immediate job placement to fostering long-term career mobility. They recommend holding training providers accountable for participants' wage growth over time, with transparent reporting of outcomes by race and gender to identify and address equity gaps. They also emphasize the need for accessible, clear labor market information and personalized career coaching and call on Congress to seize the opportunity presented by the new session to reform the workforce system.

Kerry McKittrick on Education, Career Navigation, and Workforce Development | American Enterprise Institute's Hardly Working Podcast

Kerry McKittrick, in her work as co-director of The Project on Workforce at Harvard, looks into different aspects of the relationship between workforce development and careers. In this episode of Hardly Working, we dive into three different reports that McKittrick has authored recently.


Institute for the Future of Education's EduTrends Podcast

Kerry McKittrick speaks with José Escamilla to share insights on the durable skills and experiences students need to thrive in the workforce after college. Discover the innovative strategies some colleges are using to bridge the gap between education and employment.

Each month, the National Fund for Workforce Solutions will take a deeper dive into the diverse, innovative, and effective workforce solutions its network is adopting to address local challenges across the country. This month, National Fund Director of Evaluation and Learning, Michelle Wilson Ed.D, is joined by Kerry McKittrick, Associate Director of the Project on Workforce at the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, for a conversation about career navigation.

Joseph Fuller, Kerry McKittrick, and team highlight the importance of foundational skills amidst technological advancements, emphasizing the need for a career navigation system akin to a "Waze app." The current job search process lacks user-friendly interfaces and often excludes qualified candidates. The team advocates for partnerships between employers and educational institutions to address skills gaps and adapt benefits to meet evolving workforce needs. They propose four steps: creating new data sources, recognizing foundational skills, acknowledging changing worker needs, and leveraging generative AI for improved career navigation.

Harvard's Workforce Almanac project reveals the fragmented nature of workforce development in the US, prompting calls for better coordination. Buffalo exemplifies this need, with various training providers lacking integration. To address workforce gaps, Buffalo must align employer expectations with job seeker realities and ensure opportunities for underrepresented groups. Initiatives like CareerWise Greater Buffalo offer pathways to high-paying jobs, crucial for economic growth and equity. “There’s often this disconnect between the workforce sector and the economic development sector, so bringing those folks together to have a more cohesive plan that is both expanding opportunities, but also is helping the region grow as an economy is crucial,” McKittrick said.


Navigating Changing Careers | Harvard Magazine

In the face of profound shifts in the nature of work due to generative artificial intelligence, Joseph Fuller and Kerry McKittrick draws parallels to the Industrial Revolution and calls for better preparation of workers. A new white paper by Harvard's Project on Workforce and the National Fund for Workforce Solutions addresses challenges facing low-wage earners, focusing on career navigation to promote upward mobility. The paper highlights five drivers of career navigation success, emphasizing the importance of accurate information, skill development, and social capital. To address disparities in access to resources, the authors propose formalizing processes for obtaining information and skills and providing wraparound supports. They also advocate for leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline job searches and promote efficiency. Encouraging collaboration among stakeholders and philanthropic support are seen as vital for building a more effective career navigation system amidst rapid labor market changes.

To discuss the challenges and opportunities in preparing post-secondary graduates for the world of work we welcomed Joseph B. Fuller and Kerry McKittrick of Harvard University. Our guests and Dr. Ford chatted about: The importance of work-based learning experiences, such as internships and apprenticeships; The role of intermediaries, including workforce boards and social entrepreneurs, in connecting educational institutions and employers; The potential for AI to provide more accurate and comprehensive information about career pathways; The College-to-Jobs Map, a tool that allows college leaders to assess the alignment between education and employment in their regions; What constitutes a “good job.”; and the importance of identifying pathway jobs that lead to economic security.


Apprenticeships, traditionally associated with trades, are gaining traction in industries like education, healthcare, and technology. Programs combine on-the-job experience with classroom training, offering pathways to higher-paying roles. Kerry McKittrick, from Harvard's Project on Workforce, highlights the bipartisan support and government investment in apprenticeships. Colorado, in particular, has seen growth in apprenticeship opportunities, with Governor Jared Polis aiming to expand such programs further. While employers may initially hesitate due to administrative burdens, apprenticeships offer benefits for both employers and workers, promoting skill development and increasing earning potential. Although still a small portion of the labor market, apprenticeships hold promise for addressing workforce challenges and promoting equity.

A white paper from Harvard University's Project on Workforce reveals that colleges' programs for preparing students for well-paying jobs are fragmented, underinvested, and lack sufficient research. Kerry McKittrick, associate director of the project, highlights the need to shift focus towards the role of colleges in economic mobility due to rising student debt levels. The paper evaluates 13 career preparation methods used by colleges, including internships, apprenticeships, and cohort programs, assessing their impact on students' academic and economic outcomes. Surprisingly, while work-based learning programs like internships and apprenticeships show strong evidence of improving job prospects, popular options like job shadowing lack supporting evidence. The paper suggests integrating experiential learning into more courses, offering career training opportunities, and creating centralized resources for employers to partner with colleges. McKittrick emphasizes the shared responsibility of colleges, employers, and policymakers in creating effective pathways from college to careers, underscoring the need for collaboration and data-driven decision-making. Additionally, the project developed an interactive map to help stakeholders identify mismatches between graduates' skills and local job markets, facilitating informed decisions and collaboration among educators, policymakers, and employers.

 
 
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