Joshua SneidemanTable of Contents
As a middle school student, it can be tough to know what you want to do when you grow up. That’s why it’s so important to support career exploration in Middle School. Middle schoolers might not have an idea of a career they’re interested in, and without support, it can be hard to know what the right fit is. If administrators support students, they can find their passions and the paths to their dream careers. Here are a few Career Exploration Tips.
Introducing Careers to Middle Schoolers
It’s important for students to explore their own interests and skills. This can help them narrow down potential career options and start thinking about what they want to do in the future. Here are some ideas for how middle school students can explore careers in their classes and how teachers can help them:
Career Exploration Tip #1: Invite guest speakers
Invite professionals from various careers to speak to your class about their jobs, the skills and education required for their field, and what a typical workday looks like. This can give students a firsthand look at different careers and help them understand what is involved in different fields.
Career Exploration Tip #2: Create career-themed projects
Assign projects that allow students to research and learn about different careers. For example, students could create a presentation on a career they are interested in or create a mock business plan for a company in a field they are interested in.
Career Exploration Tip #3: Host A Career Fair
Organize a career fair at your school where students can interact with professionals from various fields. This can be a great opportunity for students to ask questions and learn about different careers firsthand.
Career Exploration Tip #4: Offer Job Shadowing
Encourage students to participate in job shadowing or internship opportunities to gain hands-on experience in a particular field. This can give students a chance to see what a day in the life of a particular career is like and help them understand what is involved in that field.
Career Exploration Tip #5: Encourage Students to Explore Subjects
Encourage students to take classes in various subjects to help them explore different interests and see how different subjects can be applied to different careers.
Career Exploration Tip #6: Provide Resources and Guidance
Make sure students have access to resources and guidance for exploring different careers. This might include providing information about different careers, helping students identify their interests and skills, and providing information about education and training requirements for different fields.
Career Exploration Tip #7: Encourage Parent Participation
Assign students to interview their parents or other family members about their careers. This can be a great way for students to learn about different careers firsthand and understand what is involved in different fields.
Students can ask their parents or family members questions about their education, training, and career experiences, as well as any challenges or successes they have experienced in their careers. This can also be a great opportunity for students to learn about the different paths people take to enter different careers and how their interests and skills can be applied in different fields.
To make this assignment more engaging and interactive, teachers could have students present their findings to the class or create a class presentation on the different careers represented. This can help students understand the diversity of careers available and how different people’s interests and skills can be applied in different fields.
Lead Career Technical Success
By providing opportunities for students to explore different careers and offering guidance and support, teachers can help students make informed decisions about their future and set themselves up for success.
Exploring different careers in middle school is an important step in the journey to finding a path that’s right for each student. By learning about different careers and what they entail, students can make informed decisions about their future and set themselves up for success.
Don’t be afraid to try new things and explore different career options – it could lead to a fulfilling and rewarding future.
