diff --git a/src/components/CareerSuggestions.js b/src/components/CareerSuggestions.js
index 9a97e98..de40687 100644
--- a/src/components/CareerSuggestions.js
+++ b/src/components/CareerSuggestions.js
@@ -1,121 +1,121 @@
 import React, { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import axios from 'axios';
-import './Dashboard.css';
+import './Dashboard.css'; // or replace with Tailwind classes if desired
 
-const apiUrl = process.env.REACT_APP_API_URL || ''; // ✅ Load API URL directly
+const apiUrl = process.env.REACT_APP_API_URL || '';
 
-export function CareerSuggestions({ careerSuggestions = [], userState, areaTitle, onCareerClick }) {
+export function CareerSuggestions({
+  careerSuggestions = [],
+  userState,
+  areaTitle,
+  setLoading,
+  setProgress,
+  onCareerClick,
+}) {
   const [updatedCareers, setUpdatedCareers] = useState([]);
-  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
-  const [progress, setProgress] = useState(0);
 
   useEffect(() => {
+    // If no careers provided, stop any loading state
     if (!careerSuggestions || careerSuggestions.length === 0) {
       setLoading(false);
       return;
-    }    
+    }
 
-    const token = localStorage.getItem('token'); // Get auth token
+    const token = localStorage.getItem('token');
 
     const checkCareerDataAvailability = async () => {
       setLoading(true);
       setProgress(0);
-      const totalSteps = careerSuggestions.length * 4; // Each career has 4 API checks
+
+      // Each career has 4 external calls
+      const totalSteps = careerSuggestions.length * 4;
       let completedSteps = 0;
 
+      // Helper function to increment the global progress
       const updateProgress = () => {
         completedSteps += 1;
-        setProgress((completedSteps / totalSteps) * 100);
+        const percent = Math.round((completedSteps / totalSteps) * 100);
+        setProgress(percent);
       };
 
+      // Universal fetch helper
+      const fetchJSON = async (url, params) => {
+        try {
+          const response = await axios.get(url, {
+            headers: {
+              Authorization: `Bearer ${token}`,
+              Accept: 'application/json',
+            },
+            params: params || {},
+          });
+          updateProgress(); // increment if success
+          return response.data;
+        } catch (error) {
+          updateProgress(); // increment even on failure
+          return null;
+        }
+      };
+
+      // Map over careerSuggestions to fetch CIP, job details, economic, salary data in parallel
       const careerPromises = careerSuggestions.map(async (career) => {
         try {
-          const headers = {
-            Authorization: `Bearer ${token}`,
-            Accept: 'application/json',
+          // e.g. "15-1199.00" => "15-1199"
+          const strippedSoc = career.code.split('.')[0];
+
+          const [cipData, jobDetailsData, economicData, salaryData] = await Promise.all([
+            fetchJSON(`${apiUrl}/cip/${career.code}`),
+            fetchJSON(`${apiUrl}/onet/career-description/${career.code}`),
+            fetchJSON(`${apiUrl}/projections/${strippedSoc}`),
+            fetchJSON(`${apiUrl}/salary`, {
+              socCode: strippedSoc,
+              area: areaTitle,
+            }),
+          ]);
+
+          // Evaluate if any data is missing
+          const isCipMissing = !cipData || Object.keys(cipData).length === 0;
+          const isJobDetailsMissing = !jobDetailsData || Object.keys(jobDetailsData).length === 0;
+          const isEconomicMissing =
+            !economicData ||
+            Object.values(economicData).every((val) => val === 'N/A' || val === '*');
+          const isSalaryMissing = !salaryData;
+
+          const isLimitedData =
+            isCipMissing || isJobDetailsMissing || isEconomicMissing || isSalaryMissing;
+
+          return {
+            ...career,
+            limitedData: isLimitedData,
           };
+        } catch (err) {
+          // If any errors occur mid-logic, mark it limited
+          return { ...career, limitedData: true };
+        }
+      });
 
-          const fetchJSON = async (url) => {
-            try {
-              const response = await axios.get(url, { headers });
-              updateProgress(); // ✅ Update progress on success
-              return response.data;
-            } catch (error) {
-              updateProgress(); // ✅ Update progress even if failed
-              return null;
-            }
-          };
-
-           // Fetch Data in Parallel
-        const [cipData, jobDetailsData, economicData, salaryResponse] = await Promise.all([
-          fetchJSON(`${apiUrl}/cip/${career.code}`),
-          fetchJSON(`${apiUrl}/onet/career-description/${career.code}`),
-          fetchJSON(`${apiUrl}/projections/${career.code.split('.')[0]}`),
-          axios.get(`${apiUrl}/salary`, {
-            params: { socCode: career.code.split('.')[0], area: areaTitle },
-            headers,
-          }).then((res) => {
-            updateProgress();
-            return res.data;
-          }).catch((error) => {
-            updateProgress();
-            if (error.response?.status === 404) {
-              return null;
-            }
-            return error.response;
-          }),
-        ]);
-
-        const isCipMissing = !cipData || Object.keys(cipData).length === 0;
-        const isJobDetailsMissing = !jobDetailsData || Object.keys(jobDetailsData).length === 0;
-        const isEconomicMissing = !economicData || Object.values(economicData).every(val => val === "N/A" || val === "*");
-        const isSalaryMissing = salaryResponse === null || salaryResponse === undefined;
-
-        const isLimitedData = isCipMissing || isJobDetailsMissing || isEconomicMissing || isSalaryMissing;
-
-        return { ...career, limitedData: isLimitedData };
-
-      } catch (error) {
-        return { ...career, limitedData: true };
+      try {
+        const updatedCareerList = await Promise.all(careerPromises);
+        setUpdatedCareers(updatedCareerList);
+      } finally {
+        setLoading(false);
       }
-    });
-
-    try {
-      const updatedCareerList = await Promise.all(careerPromises);
-      setUpdatedCareers(updatedCareerList);
-    } finally {
-      setLoading(false);
-    }
-  };
+    };
 
     checkCareerDataAvailability();
-  }, [careerSuggestions, apiUrl, userState, areaTitle]);
+  }, [careerSuggestions, userState, areaTitle, setLoading, setProgress]);
 
   return (
-    <div>
-
-      {loading ? (
-        <div className="progress-container">
-          <div className="progress-bar" style={{ 
-            width: `${progress}%`,
-            maxWidth: "100%", }}>
-            {Math.round(progress)}%
-          </div>
-          <p>Loading Career Suggestions...</p>
-        </div>
-      ) : (
-        <div className="career-suggestions-grid">
-          {updatedCareers.map((career) => (
-            <button
-              key={career.code}
-              className={`career-button ${career.limitedData ? 'limited-data' : ''}`}
-              onClick={() => onCareerClick(career)}
-            >
-              {career.title} {career.limitedData && <span className="warning-icon">⚠️</span>}
-            </button>
-          ))}
-        </div>
-      )}
+    <div className="career-suggestions-grid">
+      {updatedCareers.map((career) => (
+        <button
+          key={career.code}
+          className={`career-button ${career.limitedData ? 'limited-data' : ''}`}
+          onClick={() => onCareerClick(career)}
+        >
+          {career.title}
+          {career.limitedData && <span className="warning-icon"> ⚠️</span>}
+        </button>
+      ))}
     </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/src/components/Dashboard.js b/src/components/Dashboard.js
index b0fc0a7..068a143 100644
--- a/src/components/Dashboard.js
+++ b/src/components/Dashboard.js
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ function Dashboard() {
   const [economicProjections, setEconomicProjections] = useState(null);
   const [tuitionData, setTuitionData] = useState(null);
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);
+  const [progress, setProgress] = useState(0);
   const [error, setError] = useState(null);
   const [userState, setUserState] = useState(null);
   const [areaTitle, setAreaTitle] = useState(null);
@@ -359,6 +360,26 @@ function Dashboard() {
     ],
   };
 
+  const renderLoadingOverlay = () => {
+    if (!loading) return null;
+
+    return (
+      <div className="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center bg-gray-900 bg-opacity-50">
+        <div className="rounded bg-white p-6 shadow-lg">
+          <div className="mb-2 w-full max-w-md rounded bg-gray-200">
+            <div
+              className="h-2 rounded bg-blue-500 transition-all"
+              style={{ width: `${progress}%` }}
+            />
+          </div>
+          <p className="mt-1 text-center text-sm text-gray-600">
+            {progress}% — Loading Career Suggestions...
+          </p>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    );
+  };
+
   return (
     <div className="dashboard">
       {showSessionExpiredModal && (
@@ -383,6 +404,8 @@ function Dashboard() {
       </div>
     )}
     
+    {renderLoadingOverlay()}
+
       <div className="dashboard-content">
 
         <div className="career-suggestions-container">
@@ -427,7 +450,10 @@ function Dashboard() {
           <CareerSuggestions
             careerSuggestions={memoizedCareerSuggestions}
             onCareerClick={handleCareerClick}
-          />
+            setLoading={setLoading}
+            setProgress={setProgress}
+            userState={userState}
+            areaTitle={areaTitle}/>
         </div>
 
         <div className="riasec-container">
diff --git a/src/components/InterestInventory.js b/src/components/InterestInventory.js
index 5e04892..1c9f5be 100644
--- a/src/components/InterestInventory.js
+++ b/src/components/InterestInventory.js
@@ -1,79 +1,69 @@
 import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
 import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { ClipLoader } from 'react-spinners';
-import authFetch from '../utils/authFetch.js'; 
-import './InterestInventory.css';
+import authFetch from '../utils/authFetch.js';
 
 const InterestInventory = () => {
   const [questions, setQuestions] = useState([]);
   const [responses, setResponses] = useState({});
   const [currentPage, setCurrentPage] = useState(1);
   const [isSubmitting, setIsSubmitting] = useState(false);
-  const questionsPerPage = 6;
-  const navigate = useNavigate();
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);
   const [error, setError] = useState(null);
   const [userProfile, setUserProfile] = useState(null);
-  const userId = localStorage.getItem('userId');
 
-  const apiUrl = process.env.REACT_APP_API_URL || '';
+  const navigate = useNavigate();
 
-  const fetchQuestions = async () => {
-    setLoading(true); // Start loading
-    setError(null); // Reset error state
-    
-    const url = '/api/onet/questions?start=1&end=60';
-    try {
-      const response = await authFetch(url, {
-        method: 'GET',
-        headers: { Accept: 'application/json' },
-      });
-
-      if (!response.ok) {
-        throw new Error(`Failed to fetch questions: ${response.statusText}`);
-      }
-
-      const data = await response.json();
-
-      if (data && Array.isArray(data.questions)) {
-        setQuestions(data.questions);
-        console.log("Questions fetched:", data.questions);
-      } else {
-        throw new Error("Invalid question format.");
-      }
-    } catch (error) {
-      console.error("Error fetching questions:", error.message);
-      setError(error.message); // Set error message
-    } finally {
-      setLoading(false); // Stop loading
-    }
-  };
+  const questionsPerPage = 6;
+  const totalPages = Math.ceil(questions.length / questionsPerPage) || 1;
 
   useEffect(() => {
     fetchQuestions();
     fetchUserProfile();
   }, []);
 
+  const fetchQuestions = async () => {
+    setLoading(true);
+    setError(null);
+
+    try {
+      const response = await authFetch('/api/onet/questions?start=1&end=60', {
+        method: 'GET',
+        headers: { Accept: 'application/json' },
+      });
+      if (!response.ok) {
+        throw new Error(`Failed to fetch questions: ${response.statusText}`);
+      }
+
+      const data = await response.json();
+      if (data && Array.isArray(data.questions)) {
+        setQuestions(data.questions);
+      } else {
+        throw new Error('Invalid question format.');
+      }
+    } catch (err) {
+      setError(err.message);
+      console.error('Error fetching questions:', err.message);
+    } finally {
+      setLoading(false);
+    }
+  };
+
   const fetchUserProfile = async () => {
     try {
-      const res = await authFetch('/api/user-profile', {
-        method: 'GET',
-      });
-  
+      const res = await authFetch('/api/user-profile', { method: 'GET' });
       if (!res || !res.ok) throw new Error('Failed to fetch user profile');
-  
       const data = await res.json();
       setUserProfile(data);
     } catch (err) {
       console.error('Error fetching user profile:', err.message);
     }
   };
-  
-  
-  
+
+  // Restore previously saved answers if available
   useEffect(() => {
     const storedAnswers = userProfile?.interest_inventory_answers;
-    if (questions.length === 60 && storedAnswers && storedAnswers.length === 60) {
+    if (questions.length === 60 && storedAnswers?.length === 60) {
       const restored = {};
       storedAnswers.split('').forEach((val, index) => {
         restored[index + 1] = val;
@@ -81,23 +71,14 @@ const InterestInventory = () => {
       setResponses(restored);
     }
   }, [questions, userProfile]);
-  
-  
+
   const handleResponseChange = (questionIndex, value) => {
-    setResponses((prevResponses) => ({
-      ...prevResponses,
+    setResponses((prev) => ({
+      ...prev,
       [questionIndex]: value,
     }));
   };
 
-  const randomizeAnswers = () => {
-    const randomizedResponses = {};
-    questions.forEach((question) => {
-      randomizedResponses[question.index] = Math.floor(Math.random() * 5) + 1;
-    });
-    setResponses(randomizedResponses);
-  };
-
   const validateCurrentPage = () => {
     const start = (currentPage - 1) * questionsPerPage;
     const end = currentPage * questionsPerPage;
@@ -106,9 +87,8 @@ const InterestInventory = () => {
     const unanswered = currentQuestions.filter(
       (q) => !responses[q.index] || responses[q.index] === '0'
     );
-
     if (unanswered.length > 0) {
-      alert(`Please answer all questions before proceeding.`);
+      alert('Please answer all questions before proceeding.');
       return false;
     }
     return true;
@@ -125,77 +105,124 @@ const InterestInventory = () => {
     }
   };
 
+  const randomizeAnswers = () => {
+    const randomized = {};
+    questions.forEach((question) => {
+      randomized[question.index] = Math.floor(Math.random() * 5) + 1; // 1–5
+    });
+    setResponses(randomized);
+  };
+
   const handleSubmit = async () => {
     if (!validateCurrentPage()) return;
-  
+
+    // Combine answers into a 60-char string
     const answers = Array.from({ length: 60 }, (_, i) => responses[i + 1] || '0').join('');
 
-    await authFetch(`${apiUrl}/user-profile`, {
-      method: 'POST',
-      body: JSON.stringify({
-        firstName: userProfile?.firstname,
-        lastName: userProfile?.lastname,
-        email: userProfile?.email,
-        zipCode: userProfile?.zipcode,
-        state: userProfile?.state,
-        area: userProfile?.area,
-        careerSituation: userProfile?.career_situation || null,
-        interest_inventory_answers: answers,
-      }),
-    });
-    
-    
+    // First save the answers to user profile
+    try {
+      await authFetch('/api/user-profile', {
+        method: 'POST',
+        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+        body: JSON.stringify({
+          firstName: userProfile?.firstname,
+          lastName: userProfile?.lastname,
+          email: userProfile?.email,
+          zipCode: userProfile?.zipcode,
+          state: userProfile?.state,
+          area: userProfile?.area,
+          careerSituation: userProfile?.career_situation || null,
+          interest_inventory_answers: answers,
+        }),
+      });
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.error('Error saving answers to user profile:', err.message);
+    }
 
+    // Then submit to the O*Net logic
     try {
       setIsSubmitting(true);
-      setError(null); // Clear previous errors
-      const url = `${process.env.REACT_APP_API_URL}/onet/submit_answers`;
-      const response = await authFetch(url, {
+      setError(null);
+      const response = await authFetch(`${process.env.REACT_APP_API_URL}/onet/submit_answers`, {
         method: 'POST',
         headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
         body: JSON.stringify({ answers }),
       });
-  
+
       if (!response.ok) {
         throw new Error(`Failed to submit answers: ${response.statusText}`);
       }
-  
       const data = await response.json();
-      console.log("Careers Response:", data);
-
       const { careers: careerSuggestions, riaSecScores } = data;
 
       if (Array.isArray(careerSuggestions) && Array.isArray(riaSecScores)) {
         navigate('/dashboard', { state: { careerSuggestions, riaSecScores } });
       } else {
-        console.error("Invalid data format:", data);
-        alert("Failed to process results. Please try again later.");
+        throw new Error('Invalid data format from the server.');
       }
     } catch (error) {
-      console.error("Error submitting answers:", error.message);
-      alert("Failed to submit answers. Please try again later.");
+      console.error('Error submitting answers:', error.message);
+      alert('Failed to submit answers. Please try again later.');
     } finally {
       setIsSubmitting(false);
     }
   };
-  
 
+  // Compute which questions to show
   const start = (currentPage - 1) * questionsPerPage;
   const end = currentPage * questionsPerPage;
   const currentQuestions = questions.slice(start, end);
 
-  return (
-    <div className="interest-inventory-container">
-      <h2>Interest Inventory</h2>
-      {loading && <ClipLoader size={35} color="#4A90E2" />}
-      {error && <p style={{ color: 'red' }}>{error}</p>}
+  // Calculate progress for the bar
+  const totalQuestions = 60;
+  const answeredCount = Object.keys(responses).filter((key) => responses[key] !== '0').length;
+  const progressPercent = Math.round((answeredCount / totalQuestions) * 100);
 
-      {questions.length > 0 ? (
-        <div className="questions-container">
+  return (
+    <div className="flex min-h-screen flex-col items-center justify-center bg-gray-50 p-4">
+      {/* Card Container */}
+      <div className="w-full max-w-xl rounded bg-white p-6 shadow-md">
+        <h2 className="mb-4 text-center text-2xl font-semibold">
+          Interest Inventory
+        </h2>
+
+        {/* Loading & Error States */}
+        {loading && (
+          <div className="flex justify-center">
+            <ClipLoader size={35} color="#4A90E2" />
+          </div>
+        )}
+        {error && (
+          <p className="mb-4 rounded bg-red-50 p-2 text-sm text-red-600">
+            {error}
+          </p>
+        )}
+
+        {/* Progress Bar & Page Indicator */}
+        <div className="mb-4">
+          <p className="text-sm text-gray-600">
+            Page {currentPage} of {totalPages}
+          </p>
+          <div className="mt-2 h-2 w-full overflow-hidden rounded bg-gray-200">
+            <div
+              className="h-full bg-blue-600 transition-all"
+              style={{ width: `${progressPercent}%` }}
+            />
+          </div>
+          <p className="mt-1 text-right text-xs text-gray-500">
+            {answeredCount} / {totalQuestions} answered
+          </p>
+        </div>
+
+        {/* Questions */}
+        <div className="space-y-4">
           {currentQuestions.map((question) => (
-            <div key={question.index} className="question">
-              <label>{question.text}</label>
+            <div key={question.index} className="flex flex-col">
+              <label className="mb-1 font-medium text-gray-700">
+                {question.text}
+              </label>
               <select
+                className="rounded border border-gray-300 px-2 py-1 text-sm focus:border-blue-500 focus:outline-none"
                 onChange={(e) => handleResponseChange(question.index, e.target.value)}
                 value={responses[question.index] || '0'}
               >
@@ -209,20 +236,47 @@ const InterestInventory = () => {
             </div>
           ))}
         </div>
-      ) : (
-        <p>Loading questions.</p>
-      )}
 
-      <div className="pagination-buttons">
-        {currentPage > 1 && (
-          <button type="button" onClick={handlePreviousPage}>Previous</button>
-        )}
-        {currentPage * questionsPerPage < questions.length ? (
-          <button type="button" onClick={handleNextPage}>Next</button>
-        ) : (
-          <button type="button" onClick={handleSubmit} disabled={isSubmitting}>Submit</button>
-        )}
-        <button type="button" onClick={randomizeAnswers} disabled={isSubmitting}>Randomize Answers</button>
+        {/* Pagination / Action Buttons */}
+        <div className="mt-6 flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between space-y-2 sm:space-y-0">
+          <div className="flex space-x-2">
+            {currentPage > 1 && (
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                onClick={handlePreviousPage}
+                className="rounded bg-gray-300 px-4 py-2 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-400"
+              >
+                Previous
+              </button>
+            )}
+            {currentPage < totalPages ? (
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                onClick={handleNextPage}
+                className="rounded bg-blue-600 px-4 py-2 text-white hover:bg-blue-700"
+              >
+                Next
+              </button>
+            ) : (
+              <button
+                type="button"
+                onClick={handleSubmit}
+                disabled={isSubmitting}
+                className="rounded bg-green-600 px-4 py-2 text-white hover:bg-green-700 disabled:bg-green-300"
+              >
+                {isSubmitting ? 'Submitting...' : 'Submit'}
+              </button>
+            )}
+          </div>
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            onClick={randomizeAnswers}
+            disabled={isSubmitting}
+            className="rounded bg-orange-500 px-4 py-2 text-white hover:bg-orange-600 disabled:bg-orange-300"
+          >
+            Randomize Answers
+          </button>
+        </div>
       </div>
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/user_profile.db b/user_profile.db
index 974afec..2dbc6d0 100644
Binary files a/user_profile.db and b/user_profile.db differ