Key points:
For the last three years, I have worked as a digital integration specialist for Anderson School District 5 in South Carolina. In this role, I support teachers by providing high-quality learning opportunities through innovative integration of instructional technology. One of the schools I serve is a CTE high school and I am always on the hunt for new tools to prepare these students for their future careers.
According to a study conducted by ECMC Group, 81 percent of high school students surveyed said learning skills they need to be successful in the real world is a top criterion in choosing a path after they graduate. But there’s a disconnect between what students know they want to learn and what they do learn. A YouScience survey found 83 percent of today’s learners can’t connect the skills they have and learn in school to future employment. Many students simply don’t have access to industry professionals to get a better look at careers they are interested in and understand what skills and abilities are necessary for those fields. This can lead to thinking that pursuing that career in the future is impossible.
Knowing this, I work to provide students with opportunities for career-focused learning that encourages them to be curious about different careers. Here are some tools that I love to use and have found effective with my students:
Career Connect
I was invited to pilot Discovery Education’s Career Connect platform during the 2023-2024 school year (and I’m happy to report that it is now open to all 4.5 million educators who use Discovery Education!). Through Career Connect, students connect with working industry professionals to learn about career journeys and what it’s like to work in the field. Teachers can virtually connect students with industry professionals to talk about their careers, the concepts they use to solve problems, and the path they have taken to get to where they are today.
Career Connect offers many industry professionals for teachers to choose from, including software engineers, microbiologists, financial analysts and planners, and many more. For example, I worked with our computer science teacher to choose a professional that fit into her curriculum and submit a request through the Career Connect platform. The students were able to connect virtually with a Software Engineer and a Vice President of IT at a technology company.
It’s not just about the connection with the professional, though. I help make the learning last by utilizing the turnkey worksheets. With this resource, students are prompted to share three things they learned, two things they can do to prepare for their future, and one way the speaker inspired them. At the end of both conversations, students were given an opportunity to ask questions and have a meaningful conversation with the professional.
A Day in the Life
A Day in the Life is a free digital archive of first-hand written accounts of what it’s like to work in a specific field or role. Students will be able to find jobs that reflect their interests and get excited about their future. From social media manager, to oncology charge nurse, to video game lead animator, there are countless different career paths to explore.
These blogs are snippets of one day in the life of these industry professionals. Each one is time stamped, starting from when the professional first begins work that day and going until they arrive back home. Some articles provide additional background into their role’s responsibilities, such as explanations of the research conducted by an entry-level scientist in biotech, before going into a description of a typical day.
Students can explore a diverse range of careers connected to their current interests through these short, easily digestible articles. The standardized format, regardless of industry, makes the insights accessible and engaging, allowing students to quickly dive into a wide range of possible careers.
Forage: Free Virtual Work Experiences
Forage offers free-to-use job simulations that expose students to a wide array of careers and skills. Through partnerships with top companies, students get a unique look into what being an industry professional would be like. Industries range from marketing to software engineering, with popular companies such as J.P. Morgan and Lululemon offering job simulations. This is a great tool for students looking to develop industry-related skills and explore real-life projects.
These short, self-paced, open access lessons guide students through a variety of tasks, giving them insight into the company and developing the skills needed to hold this position. Students follow along with videos and text resources and compare their answers and projects to real company deliverables. For example, Lululemon explores Omnichannel Marketing, walking students through creating integrated marketing plans and key data analysis tasks.
My advice: Just begin!
Career planning can seem daunting to students, especially if they do not feel they have the necessary connections or skills to enter the work force. Forging connections between students and industry professionals is key to opening their eyes to future possibilities. These resources are a great way to encourage your students to consider different career paths, giving them access to key professionals and skill development opportunities. So now, the challenge is to just get started.
