Career Readiness

ARIN supports career readiness in a variety of meaningful ways. School counselors come together through the Counselor Collaboration, in which they share resources, discuss upcoming events, and stay current on PDE updates related to 339 Plans. It is a valuable space for connection, learning, and support.

ARIN also plans and hosts student experiences that bring career exploration to life. The Soft Skills Challenge, held each spring, gives juniors and seniors the chance to take part in short, hands on challenges within local businesses in Indiana, Pennsylvania. These experiences highlight the skills employers value most and help students build confidence as they prepare for the workforce.  Mark your calendars for the 2027 Soft Skills Challenge, to be held from Tuesday, April 20, through Thursday, April 22, 2027!

In the winter, the Health Education Learning Pathway, known as H E L P, takes place at Lenape Tech and is open to students from both Indiana and Armstrong counties. This event invites students to explore careers in healthcare through interactive, personalized learning alongside professionals from local organizations and agencies. We are hopeful to host this event in the 2026-27 school year.

Building on that experience, the H E L P Mini Med Camp at Indiana University of Pennsylvania gives students interested in healthcare an even deeper look. In 2026, students participated in a two-day camp that included hands-on labs, conversations with university faculty connected to the proposed college of osteopathic medicine, and rotations through Indiana Regional Medical Center to explore a wide range of healthcare careers. Additional learning opportunities were also offered at Westmoreland County Community College. 

ARIN also supports the Armstrong Indiana Career Fair, held each spring. This event brings together students and local employers, creating opportunities to explore career pathways and connect with the current workforce across both counties.  Date to be released prior to the end of the 2025-26 school year.

Teaching is having a moment, and the need for meaningful, relevant career connection has never been more real!

Right now, the Careers Collaborative is creating a space designed specifically for educators who are ready to bring career exploration to life in their classrooms in ways that actually stick with students.

When you step into the Careers Collaborative, you are stepping into a community of educators who are navigating the same questions you are every day: how do we make learning feel relevant? How do we connect content to real careers? How do we prepare students for a future that keeps changing?

Here is what you can expect when you join:

• Real conversations about what career readiness actually looks like in today’s classrooms and how to make it meaningful for students at every level

• Professional learning centered on career pathways, workforce trends, employer connections, and classroom integration that makes sense

• Collaboration with fellow teachers who are trying new things, sharing ideas, and building something better together

• Ready-to-use strategies, lessons, and tools that connect your content to the real world

• A space to grow as an educator who is not just teaching standards, but helping students see what is possible beyond them

Because students are asking bigger questions than ever before.

And educators deserve a space that helps them answer those questions with confidence.

Careers Smore (opens in  new window)