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As a graduating senior at Howard University, Leah Kabuya is stepping into her next chapter with confidence, clarity, and a growing understanding of how her skills can shape her future. After using The DeBruce Foundation’s Graduation Toolkit, Leah sat down with us to chat about ways for new grads to think about their strengths, career possibilities, and the future of work.
Discovering Top Skills with the Agile Work Profiler©
The first step in the Graduation Toolkit is taking the Agile Work Profiler, a career assessment that identifies your Agilities© (the work skills you are best at and enjoy most).
Leah learned that her top Agilities are Developing Others, Innovating, and Organizing. While the results did not surprise her, seeing those strengths helped reinforce what she already recognized in herself through her experiences and activities. “It gave me a boost of confidence,” Leah shared. “I could see it in the different activities I would partake in. Just knowing these are the things I can hone in on and market myself with helped me better understand my strengths.”
Exploring Career Paths Beyond the “Typical” Route
As she explored the Graduation Toolkit, Leah found that it helped her narrow down her career interests while also opening new doors she had not previously considered. She is now considering three potential career paths — including two that were not originally part of her plan. According to The DeBruce Foundation’s research, considering multiple career options is vital in today’s workforce.
The toolkit also helped Leah think more broadly about the kinds of organizations and professional environments where she could thrive. By connecting her Agilities with her financial goals and professional interests, she began to see possibilities that once felt outside of her “typical” path.
“It’s opened my mind to all that I can do,” she said. “It helped me think about organizations and positions where I would thrive with my Agilities and with the income that I want.”
Preparing for Career Pivots and a Changing Job Market
For Leah, one of the most valuable lessons from the toolkit is that there may not be one single “right” job: “I think it’s more about whether it meets the majority of your needs. The toolkit helped me figure out what those needs are.”
That mindset has also helped her feel more prepared for a future where adaptability and career pivots are increasingly important. Leah shared that the toolkit gave her a clearer understanding of how to present herself professionally and identify what she wants from the workplace — not just what employers expect from her.
Building Confidence in Life After College
Like many graduates, Leah also felt uncertainty about future planning after college. While students are often taught how to prepare for college itself, she noted that there is far less guidance about planning for what comes after graduation. Using the Graduation Toolkit helped her feel more equipped to build a roadmap for the years ahead.
“The future planning in the toolkit helped me develop a plan for the next few years of my life,” she said.
Today, Leah feels optimistic about her professional and financial future. As she prepares to begin working on Capitol Hill, she believes the skills and experiences she has built are helping create a clear path forward.
Advice for Graduates Navigating an Uncertain Future
When asked what advice she would give to graduates who are nervous about today’s changing job market, Leah offered a powerful reminder: “You’ve done the hard work. Now it’s just about the timing.”
Leah also believes the Class of 2026 is entering the workforce with determination: “We’re not afraid of work or of showing up in these spaces,” she said. “We’re not letting our age or classification define us. We’re showing up as our best selves and knowing we have the skills to thrive.”
As graduates like Leah step into the future, they are demonstrating exactly what it means to adapt, grow, and confidently navigate a changing world of work. Congratulations, Class of 2026!
