Empowering the Next Generation: Rethinking Career Readiness in Education

It's graduation season! Yet 50+% of students are grappling with the question of "What's next?" Not too long ago, educators asked about their role in preparing students for work would commonly respond, "That's not our job. Our job is to teach them to think." However, there's been a sea change in thinking. Education systems are refocusing, realigning to help students reach their full potential - including economic sustainability - building programs, launching new classes, and constructing pathways to industry.

To ensure students can meet this transition with their best foot forward, staple career tools often at the core of classes and programming are held up as capstone projects and outcomes of success for what schools deem students need to be "ready". Unfortunately, these tools - without context - can have a counter-effect. They can actually turn students off from engaging in targeted programs or stress them out more. 

Allow me to explain. For the past 50 or so years career counseling has been built around a 5 step model: Assessments (who are you and what are your skills), Résumé writing (what do you have to offer), Interview skills (convincing an employer that you're the right candidate), Coaching (talking to a trained counselor about your options and readiness) and Career Fairs (a big event where employers exhibit to share their opportunities and meet candidates.) This was an efficient model when you went to college to find a spouse and job. Communities were smaller and more tightly knit. Companies recruited from the local communities. The world is a different place though. Students start and stop (and pause) schooling at different times; some transition to higher ed or trades or travel, and many pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, not even considering traditional employment. All this said, yes, this career prep model is a well worn, proven process to connect students with gainful employment. But it doesn't ensure students are happy and fulfilled, or comfortable or confident in themselves or the outcomes.

While many schools are challenging themselves to construct more innovative frameworks that offer students comprehensive career exploration, training and professional development, I always have to encourage schools to start with where there students are first. Talk to them. Survey them. Put them in focus groups. Take the time to learn about their interests and what's in the way of their success before planting a series of tools in their requirements.

As the team behind Exploring Your Potential, we have always maintained that students need and deserve more time, space, and guidance to explore who they want to be in the world. Orientation is essential. I always say, "Exposure and context make all the difference." How much students have been exposed to the broader world, to professionals, skilled workers, and to modeling from productive adults directly impacts their understanding of what's required of them to succeed at life beyond school, not to mention their motivation.  

Career orientation, exploration and planning requires a thoughtful, pedagogical approach to cultivating emerging talent who are also well adjusted humans. It's our collective responsibility as stakeholders, even observers and advocates of the education space, to work in concert, come together, collaborate, and share in the responsibility of training our young people for a bigger, brighter future. I challenge everyone to do what they can: Contribute funding, share resources, speak in schools, help organize events, connect students to mentors and jobs, and create events or day trips that offer exposure to businesses, nonprofits, even microenterprises. Everyone can play a role. 

I'm happy to discuss opportunities with anyone committed to helping our young people. Just as I've helped thousands of students connect with what matters to them. Speaking of, Exploring Your Potential is the best resource to introduce or embed comprehensive orientation, training and active exploration into programs committed to ensuring the young people in their care thrive. Check it out, or reach out!