middle school career exploration “the perfect storm” dan blake, career development specialist...
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Middle School Career Exploration
“The Perfect Storm”Dan Blake, Career Development Specialist
Sonoma County Office of Education
Educating for Careers ConferenceSacramento Convention Center
February 14, 2012
What do we mean by
“The Perfect Storm?”
Four Converging Megatrends:
Great Recession
Changing
Demographics
Upskilling
Of Jobs
Unprepared
WorkforcePhil Jarvis, The National LifeWork Centre, Memramcook, New Brunswick
The Great Recession
…
The percentage of teens & young adults who have jobs…
is now at the lowest level since WWII.
Changing Demographics…
Latino students now make up the majority of K-12 students in California
Key factors to consider:
The racial/ethnic groups that are the least educated are the fastest growing.National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education
Upskilling of
Jobs…
Percentage of jobs requiring a 4-year degree = 20%
Percentage of jobs requiring a 2-year degree or certificate = 20%Percentage of jobs requiring minimal on-the-job training = 60%
Job Market in 1960…
Job Market Today…
Percentage of jobs requiring a 4-year degree = 20% (no change)Percentage of jobs requiring a 2-year degree or certificate = 65% (an increase of over 300%)Percentage of jobs requiring minimal on-the-job training = 15%
Unprepared Workforce…
According to a 2006 report…
70% of employers cite deficiencies among workers in the areas of professionalism, work ethic, & critical thinking
40% of employers say incoming employees are deficiently prepared for entry-level jobs
What do you want to be when you grow up?
We’re asking the wrong question…
Most of us acquired a superficial and narrow knowledge base of occupations while we were
growing up. Our occupational knowledge reflected what we knew about our family
members’ jobs, the jobs of our neighbors, and the people we came in contact with in our community on a regular basis. This natural occurrence tends to severely limit the career options that students see for themselves. It may explain why so many
children mention the jobs of firefighter, police officer, nurse, or teacher when asked what they want to be when they grow up. These jobs are
familiar to them in their daily lives.(Colussy, 1998)
93% of middle school students say there is “no chance” they will drop out of high school
29% of Californians age 18-24 lack a high school diploma
92% of middle school students say they will attend college
Of those students, only 32% know what classes are required in high school that would allow them to attend college.
Perhaps most importantly…
when surveyed, the majority of high school dropouts say they began
to “disconnect” in middle school or earlier.
At a time when the need for career counseling is more critical than ever…
California’s counselor to student ratio is 945 to 1, ranking California last in the nation.
What are the ramification
s of this “perfect
storm” on the way we approach
career development
in the 21st Century?
The New Career Paradigm
Old… New…
Choosing Learning
Occupation Skills & Character
Work Life
Information Creativity
Lists Relationships
Phil Jarvis, The National LifeWork Centre, Memramcook, New Brunswick
OLD: Choose a destinationWhat will you be when…?
NEW: Focus on the journeyWho are you now?
What are your special skills, abilities, talents, gifts (assets)?What will you do next (stepping stones)?What competencies will you work on?What does your future look & feel like?
These “megatrends” lead to an important conclusion:A new approach to career awareness, exploration, and
preparation beginning in middle school (or earlier) is a moral & economic imperative
if we are to fulfill our responsibility to current and
future generations.
Career Development ContinuumPreparing all Youth for Success in College, Career, and Life
9-16
Career Awareness
Learn about a wide variety of jobs and careers
Career Exploration
Explore, research, and plan for the future
Career Preparation
Gain education, training, and work experience
Educated
Engaged
Experienced
Aware
Skilled
Prepared
Connected
K-8
Awareness Exploration Preparation
Classroom & School • Web Research• Guest Speakers• Career Interest Assessment• College & Career Fairs• Career Contextual Instruction• College Awareness
School & Workplace• Core Academic Preparation• Career Technical Courses &
Programs• Career-Related Project-Based
Learning• Career Plan Refinement• Work-Ready Certification/Soft Skills• Occupational Certifications• Job-Seeking Skills• Work Experience• Internships• College Preparation
Families & Neighborhood
• Adult Interaction • Role Model Observation
Families & Neighborhood
• Risk Taking• Role Playing• Progression of Responsibility
Workplace• Job Shadowing• Career Mentoring• Community Service Projects• Informational Interviews
Workplace• Industry Tours & Field Trips• Career & Job Fairs • Youth in the Workplace
Classroom & School• Career Pathways, Courses, & Clubs• Integrated Curriculum• Classroom Simulations • Career Plan Development• Career-Focused Projects &
Assignments• College Exploration
Postsecondary Options• Community College• 4-year College or University• Trade/Technical School• Military Service/National Service• Apprenticeship• Enter Workforce (full or part time)• Self-Employment/Entrepreneur
Program Goals & Objectives
Expand knowledge of career options
Program Goals & Objectives
Expand knowledge of high school and post-secondary education/training options
Program Goals & Objectives
Increase perception of post-secondary relevance
(stress the importance ofeducational attainment)
Program Goals & Objectives
Increase understanding of career goals, interests, and
aspirations
Program Goals & Objectives
Increase the number of students who develop
integrated academic/career development plans,
including course sequences that are consistent with career pathway options
Program Goals & Objectives
Increase awareness of middle school staffs &
parents regarding career development resources and
educational options
Who has time for this?
Organizational Structure
Program Coordinator Responsibilities
• Program goals and direction• Site Coordinator recruitment and training• Research, acquisition, and dissemination of
career awareness/exploration curriculum• Sponsor solicitation• Budget management• Liaison to professional organizations, CDE, and
the State Legislature• Marketing and promotional event planning• Media and public relations• Program evaluation and revision• Overall program oversight and support
Site CoordinatorResponsibilities
• Planning and implementation of program activities• Participation in program planning meetings and
trainings• Recruit teachers/counselors for participation in
career exploration activities• Solicit information and suggestions from
teachers/counselors regarding program activities• Coach teachers/counselors on the implementation of
career exploration activities• Communicate program goals & activities to
administration, faculty, and parents/guardians• Assist Program Coordinator with the recruitment of
business and community professionals to take part in school site’s career exploration activities
• Liaison between the school site faculty and the Program Coordinator
Teacher & Counselor Responsibilities
• Implement career awareness curriculum as part of regular classroom instruction and in student counseling sessions
• Participate in trainings and workshops on career awareness/exploration as necessary
Site AdministrationResponsibilities
• Provide general support for career awareness and exploration program
• Meet regularly with Site Coordinator to discuss program goals & activities
• Promote program to faculty and parents
• Explore and support delivery methods to reach widest possible audience
What does it look like?
Key Curriculum & Activities
The Real Game CaliforniaBeing implemented in a variety of ways:• Elective “wheel” or “rotation” (9-12 weeks straight)• Core curriculum for year-long Career Exploration
course• Once-a-week over the course of year (e.g. every Friday)• After-school or summer enrichment class
And by a number of disciplines:• Variety of elective teachers• English teachers• Math teachers• ELL teachers• AVID teachers• Special Education teachers
Step-Up Classes
• 8 to 16 hour CTE “Mini-Courses” for middle school students at their partner high school
• After-school (e.g., 5 consecutive Wednesdays) or summer (e.g., three hours per day for one week)
• Benefits:– Opportunity for hands-on experience in high
school pathway– Smoother transition from middle school to high
school– Make connection to high school teacher– Recruitment/marketing opportunity for HS
pathway programs
Career Day• OPTIONAL FORMATS/FEATURES:
– Keynote Speaker + two breakout sessions– Three breakout sessions– Pre-Activities:
• Use of career interest inventories to identify careers
• Survey/menu of speakers• Lesson on appropriate/inappropriate questions to
ask presenters• Career-themed poster contest
– Post-Activities:• Thank you notes• Debrief/review of learning• Career report/presentation on career of choice
Kuder NavigatorCareer & Academic
Planning System
Final Thoughts…
Building School-Wide Support
• Create committee or planning team to plan activities & share ideas
• “Pet the friendly dogs”• Let others come on board gradually• Provide concrete examples of how
career exploration can fit in all disciplines
Engaging Your Local Community
• Educate community about value of “working upstream”
• Create opportunities for community members to share expertise (e.g., Career Days, workplace tours, guest speakers, informational interviews)
• Implement “Adopt-a-School” campaign
Ask your principal…
How are we helping kids become literate in
the 21st Century?
Ask your school board member…
Are you providing the resources and training necessary to prepare
students to be successful in 21st century society?
Ask your elected representatives…
What changes should be made to current education policy?
Contact Information
Dan BlakeCareer Development SpecialistSonoma County Office of Education