College and Career Exploration
College and career exploration involves learning and participating in a variety of activities about the world of work. This exploration begins early in the elementary years as awareness. Students begin understanding there are many paths in the work world. It continues with research into career paths and occupations. There are two ways to explore careers. One is to investigate and the other is to experience. During the middle school years, students are engaged in both types of exploration. Children are learning more about careers, their requirements, and the life-style they represent. Students will also begin to relate their own educational choices and achievements to the opportunities they will have in the future.
Advantages to Career Exploration in Middle School:
- Students are able to identify how their interest, values, and skills relate to careers.
- Students learn about career paths and careers they have never considered.
- Students begin understanding how they feel about various types of work, working conditions and work activities.
- Students identify the post-secondary training, tow-year, four-year, or graduate degree programs needed to successfully purse certain careers.
- Students learn about classes that are offered in high school that will give the knowledge and skills for certain careers.
Career Skills Students Can Develop in Middle School:
- Students can identify and demonstrate their abilities, strengths, skills and talents.
- Students are able to engage in goal setting and define short and long term goals.
- Students will recognize that they are growing and changing which will affect their careers throughout their lives.
- Students will recognize they will have many life roles and these will be connected to their lifestyle.
- Students will recognize that their educational performance is important for reaching their goals.
- Students will make decisions and understand the potential consequences.
- Students will learn to compromise in the decision making process.
- Students will use career information resources to evaluate their goals and help with their plans.
Career Focused Activities in Middle School:
- Career assessments/exploration activities in Naviance.
- Career speakers in classrooms (archaeologist, meteorologist, banker, engineers, chefs, etc.) and relating those careers to current SC teaching standards.
- Off campus field trips (airport, manufacturing, news station, restaurants, etc.)
- Career Day - 6th grade
- District Career Day - 7th grade
- Job Shadowing - 8th grade only
- Individual Graduation Plan - 8th only