The 24/7 Career Advisor I Wish I’d Had in College

November 11, 2025

Stepping into Cornell’s Career Services office, I remember fighting back tears. I waited too long to get help.

The light was dim, and the room was utterly silent. Only one woman was managing the front desk here. Where were all the advisors? Were there enough?

I stepped up to the desk, taking in a deep breath. “Can I see someone today?”

“Unfortunately, your advisor is currently seeing another student,” she told me after checking my name.

“It’s urgent,” I told her. She hesitated, then had me seen by someone else.

After talking for half an hour, we decided I would drop that class and no longer pursue a poli-sci minor. I felt freed, but something was missing. What would I do instead?

I wish I had gotten help sooner, but the shame prevented me from seeking help from real people who would judge me. A chatbot would have helped me. There’s a charm to being able to explore your problems privately.

This is why I built Career Companion. It’s a 24/7 AI companion designed to be a well-informed and empathetic partner. When you’re not quite ready to talk to faculty, Career Companion bridges that gap – it’s the space where you can work through the embarrassment and confusion.

When you talk to CoCo, it’s like talking to a friend with a vast knowledge base, including courses, majors, skills, and jobs. It’s the pre-advisor and 24/7 thought-partner you can trust. It’s a tool that empowers you to work through the confusion before you step into an advisor’s office, ensuring that when you do seek human help, you arrive prepared and confident in the direction you’ve begun to chart.


See how CoCo and the College Companions are helping students explore their goals, plan their paths, and make informed decisions.

Lorlei Boyd

Decision Intelligence Developer

About Gray DI

Gray DI provides data, software and facilitated processes that power higher-education decisions. Our data and AI insights inform program choices, optimize finances, and fuel growth in a challenging market – one data-informed decision at a time.

Related Posts
Subscribe to Our Blog

Don’t miss our latest research and insights

Related Posts

Gray Insights

Easy to Use, Eager for More: Key Takeaways from Our CoCo Pilot

Early results from Gray DI’s Communication Companion pilot hint at the promise of AI-enabled speech coaching, revealing strong ease-of-use feedback and early traction among student users. Discover what students noticed, where opportunity emerges, and how this pilot is shaping the next evolution of AI-powered communication learning.

Read More
Gray Insights

Why Your AI Tutor Might Be Widening the Achievement Gap

AI tutoring tools promise personalization and better outcomes, yet emerging evidence reveals a hidden risk that could quietly widen learning gaps. A small group of motivated students gains the most, while many others see little benefit and may lose opportunities for deeper cognitive growth. Discover how well-intentioned AI use can backfire and what strategies truly ensure that AI supports equity, independence, and lasting student success.

Read More
Gray Insights

Gray DI’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide: Give the Gift of Data-Informed Decisions!

Get ready to rethink holiday gifting with a look at how data-informed tools can offer far more value than another mug or fruit basket. This guide showcases how Gray DI’s Program Evaluation System and AI College Companions bring clarity, better decisions, and meaningful improvements across campus, revealing how modern insights can shape a more confident and strategic year ahead.

Read More