Career development at this age helps students to connect what they do at school to the "World of Work", which is a transition they will have to be prepared to make in only 4-6 years from now! Providing middle school students with this perspective also helps them develop:

• Purpose for what they are learning,

• Goals that make sense for their future, and

• Motivation to achieve those goals.

Throughout the school year, we will be conducting the following activities:

• Conducting career interest inventories through the Schoolinks (see tab) Career Development Software

• Organizing and chaperoning career-related field trips

• Conducting "Individual Graduation Plan (IGP)" conferences with 8th graders and their parents.

• Organizing Job Shadowing Day for all students

• Coordinating a "Career Day" for all students by pulling resources from the community

• Exposing students to the 16 Career Clusters, which will guide them in eventually choosing a major of study

• Counseling students as they make important daily choices for academic, career, and emotional/social success