When I began my career 16 years ago, I taught a course to middle school students called Career Research and Decision Making. This course allowed students to explore careers, take surveys to understand their interests and plan for their futures. During my initial call with a student, I would ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
The answers I received were often predictable: veterinarian, doctor, professional athlete, singer or, increasingly popular today, influencer. These careers have one thing in common - they are familiar to students.
Instead of asking, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I should have asked: “What problems do you want to solve? What are you passionate about? What are your strengths and how can they translate into a career?”
By shifting the focus, we can inspire students to think beyond the obvious and discover a broader range of career possibilities.
1. Start Early with Elementary Students
In elementary school, students should understand why people work. Educators can help them identify their strengths and interests through simple, relatable activities like assigning “classroom jobs” or household responsibilities.
Expose them to different careers through:
- Guest speakers and field trips.
- Career fairs, even those designed for older students.
- Community engagement opportunities to meet professionals in various fields.
2. Transitioning to Middle School
As students progress to middle school, educators can have them:
- Take interest inventory exams that assess their strengths and interests to help guide decisions about education and careers.
- Research career clusters, which help organize CTE-related curriculum, programs, activities and instruction for schools and districts.
- Set long-term goals and explore high school and post-secondary options.
Focus on building soft skills such as teamwork, communication, goal setting and adaptability, which employers value.
3. Preparing High School Students for the Future
Starting career exploration early ensures students gain the preparation and confidence necessary to make informed decisions. This “fail fast” approach allows them to explore various careers and rule out those that don’t align with their interests or strengths.
When students reach high school, they should have a clear plan that aligns with their goals. This might include:
- Selecting relevant courses, certifications and electives.
- Joining clubs and extracurricular activities.
- Pursuing internships, volunteer opportunities or part-time jobs related to their interests.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Every student will have a job someday, but no two paths are the same. By shifting the focus from “What do you want to be when you grow up?” to “What problems do you want to solve?” educators can encourage students to connect their passions and strengths with meaningful career opportunities. Together, we can prepare them to enter the workforce with confidence, purpose and the skills needed to thrive.
Our team developed a free guide to help school and district leaders take their CTE program to the next level.
Download the free guide at FlexPointEducation.com/CTEGuide.
