One of the first classes I taught when I began teaching 17 years ago was middle school career research and decision making. I still remember one student because of the way she answered my question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
She hesitated before answering, “I don’t know. Maybe a teacher or an artist?”
I could tell she wasn’t confident in her answer, so I asked her why those careers stood out. She told me her mom was a teacher and when I asked about art she admitted, “I like to draw, but I don’t think I’m very good at it.”
That’s when our conversation took a turn. I told her that being an artist isn’t just about drawing, it’s about creativity. We started discussing other possibilities like graphic design, fashion, interior design or even a makeup artist.
As we talked, my student’s excitement grew. She realized creativity could open doors to many career paths she had never considered.
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, educators must introduce career pathways to students at an early age. This proactive approach broadens their horizons and helps them align their passions and strengths with future career opportunities.
I’ve put together three ways to help school leaders strategize on the best ways to showcase career paths to younger students.
1. Lay the foundation in elementary school
When my daughter was in third grade, her elementary school hosted a Great American Teach-In, bringing in guest speakers from all kinds of professions. One of those speakers was an animal caretaker from a nearby theme park, who spoke to her class about feeding, caring for and socializing the animals.
That day, her dream was born, and she announced that she wanted to work with animals. From that moment on, she found ways to turn her passion into experience. She started dog-sitting for our neighbor and family members, and by high school, she was working at a local veterinary clinic as a kennel technician, and it all began with one inspiring guest speaker visit.
This story highlights how elementary students already grasp the basic concept of a career and why people work. It is an educator’s job to help them identify their strengths and interests, which can be done through simple activities, such as assigning classroom jobs.
For instance, a child interested in becoming a teacher can become a group leader in certain activities. To further expose students to various carers, school administrators can:
- Invite guest speakers from different professions.
- Organize field trips to local businesses and organizations.
- Host career fairs, even if they are primarily designed for older students.
- Facilitate community engagement opportunities where students can interact with professionals.
The aim is to make early career exploration fun and engaging, helping students see the wide array of possibilities.
2. Building on interests and skills in middle school
As students transition to middle school, it’s essential to build on their early experiences. Educators can guide students through interest inventory exams to assess their strengths and preferences, which can inform their education and career decisions.
Researching career clusters can also help students understand how different careers are interconnected and what educational paths they might pursue. Middle school is an ideal time to:
- Encourage students to set long-term goals and explore high school and post-secondary options.
- Help students understand their learning styles, which can influence their career choices. For example, kinesthetic learners might excel in hands-on professions like carpentry, welding or the electrical industry.
- Focus on developing soft skills such as teamwork, communication, goal setting and adaptability, which are highly valued by employers.
In the middle school career research course I used to teach, each student took a personality interest inventory assessment called RIASEC (which stands for the six personality types realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising and conventional). One student’s results came back as RIC, which stands for realistic, investigative and conventional. I could tell he was curious but unsure about what that meant for him.
During a one-on-one conversation, I asked him what he liked doing and he told me he enjoyed building Legos and taking things apart to see how they worked. As the course progressed, he used the Bureau of Labor Statistics website to research careers that matched his strengths.
That’s when he discovered the role of an electrician—a hands-on, problem-solving career. From there, we worked together to map out a plan for high school, identifying technical programs and post-secondary options that would keep him on track.
3. Preparing for the future in high school
By the time students reach high school, they should have a clearer idea of their career interests. Early career exploration allows them to make informed decisions and avoid paths that don’t align with their strengths or interests.
High school students should be encouraged to:
- Select relevant courses, certifications, and electives that align with their career goals.
- Participate in clubs and extracurricular activities related to their interests.
- Pursue internships, volunteer opportunities, or part-time jobs to gain practical experience.
Every student will eventually enter the workforce, but their paths will be unique. By shifting the focus from “What do you want to be when you grow up?” to “What problems do you want to solve?” educators can help students connect their passions and strengths with meaningful career opportunities.
Together, we can prepare them to enter the workforce with confidence, purpose and the skills needed to thrive.
