Important points:
While there is an emphasis on preparing for college and employment, K-12 students also need to explore career possibilities and careers in order to form an idea of what their future will look like. Too often we are not exposed to resources.
According to the 2024 edition, students have an aptitude (or natural talent) for the nation’s most in-demand career fields, including healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and finance, but a significant lack of experience They have no inclination to pursue a career. A State of the U.S. Workforce report from YouScience, a technology provider aimed at solving the skills gap crisis for students and employers.
The exposure gap is particularly prevalent in STEM education, and is even more pronounced for underrepresented groups such as girls and minorities.
Women play a critical role in filling high-paying, high-demand STEM careers, but they make up just 34 percent of the STEM workforce, according to the 2024 Women Students and STEM Report.
Starting in middle school, girls experience a significant gap in STEM exposure that continues into high school. This report highlights important insights into career gaps in a variety of high-demand jobs among female students across the country and provides practical solutions to close these gaps in STEM careers. There is.
“Too many young people graduate high school without a clear idea of where they are going next or how they will get there. In fact, fewer than half of respondents identified as members of Generation Z. “They said they had enough information to decide which career path after high school was best for them,” said Judy Goldstein, senior vice president of public relations and communications at American Student Assistance (ASA). says. .
A study commissioned by ASA and Jobs for the Future (JFF) found that parents and educators alike lack sufficient information about the range and quality of education and career paths available to young people today. . The survey and its accompanying white paper, Beyond Degrees, found that nearly 90% of parents are interested in learning more about their children’s career paths beyond degrees, and 2 in 5 parents are interested in learning more about their children’s academic career paths as early as middle school. We found that they wanted to start advising students about their post-educational options.
“With over one million credentials available through a variety of programs and organizations, today’s young people are faced with a wide range of degree and non-degree options, including certificate programs, apprenticeships, short-term certifications, and professional certifications. There is little information about the degree path that leads to a meaningful and high-quality job or career. “There will be a growing trend toward increasing equitable access to the information needed to find out, including free digital resources,” Goldstein added.
As the workforce evolves, students and teachers need to know how learning in the classroom connects to their future careers. In fact, making learning relevant to careers and the real world is one of the strategies educators employ to increase student engagement and interest in class.
“Learning that leads to a career will be more important than ever. The workforce has changed significantly, and today’s jobs require advanced skills and specialized training, especially in STEM fields. classrooms continue to use outdated college and career readiness models, which can leave high school graduates feeling unprepared for their futures,” said Edson Burton, CEO of Uscience. said. “This highlights the growing need for high schools to incorporate career-relevant learning.Next academic year, more educators and counselors will be making sure that their students’ educational experiences are aligned with the demands of the job market. We hope to prepare students to pursue successful college and career paths.”
One way to help students learn what their future holds? Career planning.
“High school students say learning the skills they need to succeed in the real world is the most important criterion when choosing a career path after graduation. There is a disconnect between what students are learning and what they are actually learning,” writes Joanna McCumber, digital integration specialist for Anderson School District 5 in South Carolina.
Macomber uses several career planning tools to help students find what they want to do and identify career paths in the field.
1. Discovery Education’s Career Connect helps students connect with industry experts to learn about their career journeys and what it’s like to work in the field. Teachers can virtually connect students with industry experts to talk about their careers, the concepts they use to solve problems, and the journey that got them to where they are today.
2. A Day in the Life is a free digital archive of first-hand accounts of what it’s like to work in a particular field or role. Students can find jobs that reflect their interests and get excited about their future. From social media managers to oncology nurses to lead video game animators, there are countless career paths to explore.
3. Forage offers free job simulations that expose students to a wide range of careers and skills. Through our partnerships with leading companies, students get a unique perspective on what it’s like to be an industry professional. Industries range from marketing to software engineering, and popular companies like JP Morgan and Lululemon offer job simulation. This is a great tool for students looking to develop industry-related skills and explore real-world projects.
Laura Ascione is Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
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