Based upon the National Career Development Guidelines, the key elements of a middle school career education program increase students' awareness of their own interests and help them learn about a wide variety of occupations. The key elements of Middle School Education Program include -
* Career exploration resources - Tests, web sites, books, and software
* Interest inventories
* Career portfolios
* Field trips
* Curriculum
* Career days
* Community partnerships
Career Tests Middle school career tests provide information on the relationship between job interests, key characteristics, college majors, hobbies, abilities, and related careers. According to research, middle school students use career tests to identify the three high career activity interests, and the three low areas of interest. Avoiding low interest areas is far more important since low interest areas minimize personal motivation.
Career Portfolio
As a second key element, career portfolios record the journey from school to post secondary training and/ or the world of work. Career portfolios are a collection of -
* Vision, goals, and dreams
* Important resource people and contacts
* Major career exploration goals and objectives
* Learning activities, skill practice, fieldwork, interviews, opportunities and work experience
* Personal, academic, and social strengths
* Evaluation of skill and personal development performance in the major areas of career development
* Junior high school courses liked most or least and the success in such courses
* Extra curricular activities, e.g Sports, athletics, arts, computers, music, dancing, literature, writing, and speaking, and acting and success in such activities
* Three high or low career interest activities and general aptitude areas
* Three high potential job opportunities
Community Partnerships
In addition to career tests and portfolios, community resources served key elements. Examples of community resources and partnerships are -
* Field trips to colleges, universities, community businesses and agencies
* Community resource speakers * Career Services advisers, coaches, or counselors
* Career awareness fairs
* Special collaborative programs (Smith 2000)
Community resources and partnerships provide opportunities for students to explore the world of work. Community events expand the students' understanding of job duties, work place skills, and the relevancy of school subjects.
Middle school career education program provide students with awesome opportunities to gain self awareness as well as to explore and understand the world of work. Career exploration resources, career portfolios, community partnerships and career days create invaluable experiences.
Dr Mary Askew specializes in career tests, websites, and books for students. Students need eye appealing, easy to use, yet comprehensive career resources. Find out how students can reach their career potentials at http://www.hollandcodes.com. Contact Dr. Askew at learning4life.az@gmail.com.
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