“Ten Easy Steps to an Enhanced Career Studies Course”
Where to start:
- Teachers who deliver the career studies curriculum along with the school administration decide that they would like to provide experiential exposure for the students in their classes.
- Survey students in a class to learn what careers, interests, abilities and passions the students would like to pursue. Input from students helps with making the presentations or visits most meaningful. Involve students with invitations, introductions and thank you letters.
- Decide on the number of talks/visits that would fit in with the course structure of 10 weeks. Students could hear a career talk every second week with a workplace visit in the middle and/or end of the course.
- Explore resources for potential talks or visits: co-operative education employer supporters, parents of students in the class, guidance counselors, and websites like class2careers.com (a website provided by Passport to Prosperity, a Ministry of Education funded project.)
Then:
- Involve students in the final selection of speakers and visits. If, for example, the students are in a Pathways class, the teacher might be looking for opportunities for future job shadows, short-term work experiences and co-operative education work placements.
- Select “best times” and invite speakers and organize tours before the term begins. An idea for a workplace tour might take place in a business or industry close to the school that builds awareness of “what goes on in that workplace,” is within walking distance of the school and presents an opportunity for a possible community partnership.
- Prepare simple pre and post exercises for students so they can focus clearly on the event.
- Keep a list of positive and popular talks/visits for future terms.
- Share your ideas with other that are delivering the Career Studies course.
Benefits:
- Your school’s links to local employers and with the wider community will be strengthened.
- For students, their career awareness will be broadened and their knowledge of the local community/economy will be increased.