Why Do Middle School Students Need Career Education?

Many students and parents have asked "Why do we have career lessons in middle school?" Some feel the students are too young to be thinking about careers. Others are concerned the students are being asked to identify a career of choice at an early age. We would like to demystify the reasons career education is important to include in middle school. To address those first two, common, concerns, it is never too early to talk about future careers. In fact, parents often encourage career exploration through play at earlier ages and may not even realize it. Many young children role play as teachers, police officers, doctors, soldiers, etc.. As parents, we buy them the cash register to play store, the toy doctor's kit, or the easel to play school teacher. Maybe a child sees a housing development being built and suddenly chooses to wear a toolbelt everywhere they go. Parents and schools typically support these interests through play.

Middle school career activities are a developmentally appropriate step forward into looking at what careers may be of interest to students as individuals. Through our lessons, we have students complete assessments and activities that help them connect their interests, values, and strengths to future career possibilities. We are not asking them to identify a final career of choice. We want them to explore possibilities and create a pathway or direction they will work to narrow over time.

Middle school years are the perfect time for students to look ahead toward what they hope to do after high school. Those first years after high school are typically spent gaining education to prepare for a specific career, entering the workforce, or as a member of the military. In order to know which next step is best for them, students need to have considered the different possibilities. The days of a four year college degree being required to prepare for a career that provides a sustainable wage are fading away. Our students are part of a generation that will need to determine whether their career interest requires college (2 year or 4 year, trade school, an apprenticeship, or a certificate program). Technology is evolving so quickly that many of the careers that will be available to them have not even been created yet!

Through our lessons, students will be exposed to aspects of career exploration and planning that will stretch their imagination and give them a foundation of vocabulary and resources to use as they move forward. Career education in high school will help them fine tune their ideas and create a distinct pathway that suits their individual needs. We are working hard to ensure each student understands the evolving workforce, the training necessary for the career they choose, and that they have the opportunity to meet requirements set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

If you have questions regarding career exploration, please contact your child's grade level counselor.