Students will begin to understand how school relates to the "world of work" through businesses, parents, and adults who "share and tell" their story about their profession and why they their job.

During career awareness, middle school students will be given the opportunity to:

• understand how school relates to the world of work.
• become aware of different careers and career pathways.
• experience field trips to various businesses and industries.
• participate in community volunteer organizations and service- learning projects.
• embrace classroom assignments and project- based learning around specific industries.
• become involved in school-based business entrepreneurship projects.
• hear guest speakers from industry experts.
• visit theme-specific high schools that are of interest to them via class tours and open houses.

Other opportunities for developing career awareness include:

• Job shadowing
• Classroom visits
• Field trips to various businesses and industries
• Assignments aligned with career exploration and discovery
• Job visits with parent/guardian for the day

Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the working world with an understanding of the importance of career discovery. Course work and project-based learning support discovery of various careers in numerous occupations as well as the needed educational foundation and prerequisites needed to be successful in a specific career pathway.

During career exploration, middle and high school students (8-11) will:

• understand how school relates to the world of work.
• research and design a career interest.
• take an inventory assessment to help align specific educational courses and career goals.
• develop an understanding of various occupations within a specific career-theme pathway.
• become aware of how specific skills are needed to be successful in the work world.
• research, design and develop a plan for post-secondary training and education for a specific career pathway.

Students will develop and possess the needed skills for college and career readiness via classroom academic and work-based skills needed in the world. Students will develop soft skills, relationship building tools, teamwork development, successful communication and business attributes sought from employers.

During career preparation, high school students (12 to post-secondary) will:

• develop needed skill-building aptitudes sought from all employers.
• know and understand the function and the skills needed to be successful in a specific career.
• be able to seek resources to find a specific career/job.
• have the core knowledge to be successful in a particular career pathway.
• understand and possess the appropriate work attitude, characteristics and professionalism needed for a successful work placement.
• develop an understanding of various occupations within a specific career theme/pathway.
• become aware of how specific skills are needed to be successful in the work world.
• research and design a career interest inventory that will help align their courses and career goals.
• develop career and educational goals that align with their selected career pathway.
• follow and utilize post-secondary training opportunities and education to design their own pathway.
• apply for a specific job or work-based learning experience via employment protocol methods utilizing the following: cover letters, resumes, interviewing skills, application forms, and thank you follow-up letters.