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Preparing Your Students for a Successful Career: A Professional Learning Activity for Teachers

Updated: Apr 25, 2023

Objective:



By completing this professional learning activity, teachers will be able to identify the skills and knowledge necessary for students to be career-ready, locate and utilize resources to support student career readiness and develop strategies to integrate career readiness into their curriculum.


Approximate time of completion: 90 minutes


Introduction:


As teachers, we are responsible for preparing our students for success beyond the classroom. A critical aspect of this is ensuring that our students are ready for their future careers. In this professional learning activity, you will learn about the skills and knowledge necessary for students to be career-ready, locate and utilize resources to support student career readiness and develop strategies to integrate career readiness into your curriculum.


Activity Steps:


Step 1: Becoming Career Ready - Watch the following videos:

Make a note of specific points that resonate with you.

Time to complete: 15 minutes


"The Importance of Career Pathways":



How Can a Child Aspire to a Career They Don't Know Exists?




Step 2: Review the following infographics to learn about the skills necessary for students to be career-ready:

Time to complete: 10 minutes


Step 3: Explore the following website to locate resources that can support student career readiness: Website Link: PA Career Ready

Time to complete: 20 minutes


Step 4: Watch the video "Making Career Connections in Every Classroom": Video Link: https://youtu.be/iQcUPr2eK2E

Time to complete: 5 minutes




Step 5: Review the list of Career Readiness strategies below and choose several that you can begin using in your classroom. Make a note of why you chose the specific strategy to implement.

Time to complete: 20 minutes

  1. Incorporate real-world projects: Provide students with opportunities to work on projects relevant to their future careers. These projects can be completed individually or in groups and can be tied to the curriculum in various subjects.

  2. Invite guest speakers: Bring professionals from various fields to speak to students about their careers. This can help students better understand what different jobs entail and what skills are necessary for success.

  3. Conduct mock interviews: Have students practice interview skills by conducting mock interviews in class. This can help students become more confident in communicating effectively and presenting themselves professionally.

  4. Provide job shadowing opportunities: Arrange for students to spend time with professionals in their field of interest to learn more about a particular job.

  5. Incorporate technology: Use technology to simulate workplace scenarios or help students develop skills in high demand in the job market.

  6. Encourage teamwork: Promote collaboration among students to help them develop communication, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.

  7. Emphasize soft skills: Teach students soft skills such as time management, teamwork, and professionalism, which are essential in any career.

  8. Use career-related vocabulary: Incorporate industry-specific vocabulary and terminology into lessons to help students become more familiar with the language of their chosen career paths.

  9. Provide career counseling: Work with school counselors to provide career counseling to students, helping them to identify their interests, skills, and goals.

  10. Offer internships or apprenticeships: Work with local businesses to provide internships or apprenticeships for students to gain hands-on experience in a particular field.

Reflection Prompt: How can you apply what you learned in this professional learning activity to your teaching practice? What specific strategies will you use to support student career readiness, and how will you measure their success?


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