Middle School Career Planning
Stages of career development
Career development is truly "developmental." It begins with knowing one's self and become aware of the world of work. In middle school emphasis is placed on self-awareness and exploration. It is a time to discover abilities and interests and to formulate career and educational plans. Helping students understand and reflect on their unique, personal characteristics allows them to answer the first question in their career plan - Who am I?
In sixth grade, emphasis is placed on self-knowledge and career awareness. Students become aware of their likes and dislikes and formulate career aspirations. As students progress into seventh grade, a deeper approach to career awareness takes place as they are becoming more mature. Tying students’ understanding of the world of work to education is critical. They need to connect what they are learning in school to their dreams. In eighth grade, students are now able to make decisions and set goals. Career decisions further students’ understanding of themselves and of their options. Making decisions and setting goals advances students toward their future in a purposeful, personal, and meaningful way.
6th Grade: Career Awareness & Self-Knowledge - Sample Student Learning Outcomes
Experiences might include:
Experiences might include:
Experiences might include:
Career development is truly "developmental." It begins with knowing one's self and become aware of the world of work. In middle school emphasis is placed on self-awareness and exploration. It is a time to discover abilities and interests and to formulate career and educational plans. Helping students understand and reflect on their unique, personal characteristics allows them to answer the first question in their career plan - Who am I?
In sixth grade, emphasis is placed on self-knowledge and career awareness. Students become aware of their likes and dislikes and formulate career aspirations. As students progress into seventh grade, a deeper approach to career awareness takes place as they are becoming more mature. Tying students’ understanding of the world of work to education is critical. They need to connect what they are learning in school to their dreams. In eighth grade, students are now able to make decisions and set goals. Career decisions further students’ understanding of themselves and of their options. Making decisions and setting goals advances students toward their future in a purposeful, personal, and meaningful way.
6th Grade: Career Awareness & Self-Knowledge - Sample Student Learning Outcomes
Experiences might include:
- Learning style assessment
- Interest inventory
- Values assessment
- Skills assessment
- Personality test
- Developing organizational skills
- Career speakers & career fairs
- College and Career Readiness workshops
Experiences might include:
- Review and update career assessments
- Examine and explore career clusters
- Develop time management skills
- Develop work principles and integrity
- Learn to take initiative and being resourceful
- Students@Work / Industry tours
- Career speakers & career fairs
- College and Career readiness workshops
- Informational interviews
- Volunteer opportunities
Experiences might include:
- Developing 4 year graduation plans
- Focus on goal setting and decision making
- Learning to take responsibility - citizenship
- Review and update career assessments
- Identify college and career pathways
- Identify transferable skills
- Business tours
- College and Career Readiness workshops
- Career fairs
- College visits
- Volunteer opportunities
- High school transition