How Tallo Is Transforming Early Talent Engagement

The manufacturing workforce is undergoing massive change and so are the young people preparing to enter it. On a recent episode of Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow, Toni Neary sat down with Allison Danielsen of Tallo to talk about bridging the skills gap, rethinking early talent development, and reshaping how Gen Z discovers career pathways. Their conversation highlighted a powerful reality: connecting students to manufacturing careers requires more than job postings, it requires relevance, authenticity, and meaningful human connection.

Allison’s own career journey reflects the nonlinear path many young people will take. Starting in community college studying art and psychology, she spent a decade in corporate America hiring thousands of employees before shifting into work focused on connecting learners to opportunities. At the College Board, she helped support millions of students exploring education pathways. But something was missing.

“I really felt the gap was employers,” she said. “Educational tools are critical, but they don’t determine who gets the job. If we don’t bring employers closer to early talent, we’re not going to bridge the gap.”

That became her calling and ultimately what brought her to Tallo.

A Digital Career Compass for Millions of Students

Today, Tallo is a rapidly growing platform redefining what early career exploration looks like. More than two million young people have created profiles, and 200,000+ log in every month. The key to that engagement? Tallo starts with who students are—their interests, strengths, and passions, before showing them potential career paths.

Whether a student loves art, music, engineering, or even dreams of becoming a professional bowler (as Allison once did), Tallo helps them understand how those interests translate to real careers. Through a partnership with Lightcast, Tallo incorporates live job data and real skills requirements, giving students an up-to-date view of opportunities across industries—including advanced manufacturing.

And the platform isn’t just a directory. Students talk with each other in safe, interest-based communities—an approach that increases their likelihood of returning to the platform by more than 60%. When they’re ready, they can find educational programs, connect with employers, and even apply for jobs, all in one place.

At events like the IMTS Smartforce Student Summit, more than 1,000 students signed up on the spot after interacting with Tallo’s team. “They want this digital career compass,” Toni said. “They want guidance that feels built for their world.”

Gen Z Wants Authenticity and Employers Need to Adjust

A major theme of the discussion was how differently Gen Z views the world of work. For this generation, career success doesn’t mean 80-hour workweeks or climbing rigid corporate ladders. They want balance, a sense of belonging, and an employer whose mission aligns with their values.

And they look for that information where many employers aren’t present: TikTok.

“It should concern all of us,” Allison emphasized. “Young people are getting career information in 15-second clips that may or may not be accurate.”

This is why Tallo coaches employers to highlight workplace culture, real employee experiences, and the “impact behind the widgets”—not just job descriptions and pay rates. When companies meet Gen Z where they are, the connection is immediate and powerful.

Micro-Internships: Real Work, Real Experience, Real Impact

One of the most innovative concepts Tallo is advancing is the micro-internship—short, meaningful, paid experiences that give students real work exposure. At SkillsUSA, Tallo brought in a 16-year-old micro-intern named Kennedy, whose energy transformed the booth experience and helped the team reach dramatically more students.

“Young people need experience to get experience,” Allison noted. “Micro-internships give them that early, foundational exposure to communication, responsibility, and real-world expectations.”

For employers, they’re simple, high-impact, and a powerful way to nurture early talent.

What’s Next for Tallo

Looking forward, Tallo is doubling down on community, connection, and human-centered technology. As AI reshapes both hiring and job-seeking, the team believes the future depends on real people connecting with real people—not just automated platforms screening automated resumes.

Through live conversations, near-peer connections, and expanding school partnerships, Tallo aims to ensure every student, regardless of background or network—has access to meaningful career pathways.

Tallo and SME share a commitment to building the workforce of tomorrow. As Toni concluded, “When we help young people have real conversations and real experiences with real employers, we change everything.”

If your organization wants to attract, inspire, and empower the next generation, now is the time to rethink your approach and Tallo is leading the way.

Listen to Tallo’s full episode here.