From childhood, we are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” That’s a big question. That’s something that many students struggle to answer. Without real exposure to different career paths or learning about careers they have never heard of, students make choices based on limited information and miss opportunities that suit their skills and interests.
As someone who has worked in education and career development for many years, I saw firsthand how important early career exploration is in shaping the future of students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) has played a major role in preparing students for success in high school and beyond, whether it means higher education, industry accreditation or directly into the workforce. However, the rapid evolution of industry and changing workforce demands have meant that career exploration should be introduced before students can enter high school.
When starting career exploration in junior high school
Many states now require that they become eighth graders now, for good reasons. Middle school is a crucial time when students begin to form academic and career identities. Recent research has revealed this Two-thirds of students report that they began thinking about their careers before 11th grade. If they wait until high school, students risk having to enroll in a program that doesn’t fit their interests or long-term goals, leaving or missing out on opportunities.
At the same time, school districts face increasing pressure to demonstrate student career preparation, and funding and accountability measures are often associated with outcomes such as industry accreditation, post-secondary credit, and job-based learning experiences. However, while school counselors already manage a caseload above the national average of 376 students, they have struggled to provide personalized career guidance. Their responsibilities have grown even further since Covid. With so many requests at the time, it became even more difficult for counselors to provide the personalized support students need to make informed decisions about their future.
Using technology for career exploration
Technology can support and fill this gap in many ways. First, it integrates real-time labour market data into an easily accessible platform that provides students with accurate and practical information. Such platforms are designed to provide insight into the skills needed, industry trends and potential revenues, allowing students to understand the broader context of various professions. Automating assessments and aligning with established educational frameworks, these platforms can potentially streamline the career guidance process for educators and counselors and reduce administrative responsibilities. This approach aims to democratize access to comprehensive career information and ensures that all students have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their educational and professional trajectories, regardless of their background or access to career guidance.
Another approach is to provide an interactive, self-directed experience that resonates with today’s digital natives. Simply watching career videos is not enough. We need dynamic and interactive solutions that help students see themselves in different roles and industries and encourage deeper engagement and informed decision-making. To truly support students, you need to meet them where they are and where they are. Through personalized insights through gamer learning on a digital platform.
To address this, innovative career exploration tools such as Pearson Career Explorer Take advantage of gamification and an immersive experience. These platforms aim to move beyond static assessments and provide a gaming role-playing experience where students are actively involved in discovering their future. Through interactive quests and real-world scenarios, students explore different career pathways, tailoring their interests to real-world opportunities and seeing how academic choices will affect the future.
The power of early investment
Investing in early career exploration opens the door for students and helps them discover high-paid, high-demand careers that match their skills and interests. With proper guidance, students can make informed choices about their future and set the path to success. Schools implementing robust career exploration programs not only empower students, but also strengthen workforce integrity, ensuring graduates are prepared for the evolving job market and are ready to succeed in their chosen careers.
This initiative requires a collective approach between educators, school leaders, policymakers and industry partners. Career exploration cannot be an afterthought. It must be an integral part of the middle school experience. By leveraging technology and creating engaging learning experiences, you can give students the tools and confidence they need to make informed decisions about their future. The future workforce depends on today’s choices, and ensures that every student has the opportunity to explore, discover and pursue careers that begin in middle school, tailoring their strengths and passions.
If you’re looking for ways to enhance career exploration in your district, connect. For more information, please visit pearson.com/ccr. Together, we have our students the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to thrive in the workforce of the future.
