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Career education has always been an important part of the high school curriculum — especially since students’ understanding of potential career paths can drastically affect the decisions they make. It’s one of the reasons why high school (and increasingly middle school!) is the prime time for educators to educate students about potential pathways after graduation. Keep reading for meaningful career exploration activities that will help students discover their interests, skills, and passions, and guide them towards fulfilling and successful careers and occupations.
Career Exploration Activities and Ideas to Help High Schoolers Plan for their Futures
Here are a few ideas for career exploration that educators, counselors, and parents can use to help students plan for life after graduation.
Facilitate a self-reflection activity
Before high schoolers can even begin to explore potential career paths, they must first gain a deeper understanding of themselves. Through self-reflection activities — like personality assessments and writing prompts — you can encourage students to reflect on their academic passions, values, personal strengths and weaknesses, and lifestyle goals. This helps students begin to identify what’s most important to them, and start thinking about potential career paths that are most aligned with their values, strengths, and visions for the future.
Career Readiness: Soft Skill Reflection Task Cards by The Career Ready Teacher
Grades: 7-12
Career Scenarios | Personality Traits and Interest Assessment by The Transition Teacher
Grades: 9-12 | Special Education
Career Exploration Worksheets with Career Interest Survey & Personality Test by Jenn Liu — Engaging to Empower
Grades: 8-12
Encourage students to do an inventory of their interests
Career surveys and inventories are assessment tools that are designed to help students identify potential career paths that are aligned with their interests. Try one of these resources to facilitate meaningful discussions with students about their interests, and to help empower them to make informed decisions about their future.
Career Cluster Interest Inventory Survey PLUS Career Exploration Assignment by School Counseling Essentials
Grades: 6-12
Career Interest Symbol Supported Student Survey by Adulting Made Easy aka SpedAdulting
Grades: 6-12 | Special Education
Assign a career research project for in-depth investigation
After some initial research reflection, the next step is for students to begin exploring specific careers or occupations in more depth. Through career research projects, students can investigate potential opportunities and learn more about job responsibilities, required qualifications, salary expectations, positives and negatives, and growth opportunities.
Career Exploration & Research for Google Drive™ by College Counselor Studio
Grades: 9-12
Future College and Future Career Research Paper Bundle by The Daring English Teacher
Grades: 7-12
Introduction to Design: Middle, High School Art & Design Career Research Project by Look Between the Lines
Grades: 6-12
Business, Management, & Administration Career Cluster Research Digital Activity by Business Education with Denise Leigh
Grades: 9-12
Career Exploration Worksheets for STEM Jobs Research Project by Meredith Anderson – Momgineer STEM Activities
Grades 6-10
Play a career exploration game in class
Through career exploration games, students can explore different career options and industries in a fun, engaging way. You can incorporate quizzes and decision-making activities to help students understand the skills, qualifications, and paths associated with different careers. These resources can provide students with hands-on experiences that are sure to spark curiosity, facilitate discussion, and inspire informed career choices.
Career Exploration Game Job Salaries Fun Activity by Career And Employment Prep
Grades: 6-12
Career Card Grab Game for High School Career Development by The Counselor Clique
Grades: 9-12
Career Exploration Activity Game – Middle and High School Occupations by Informed Decisions
Grades: 6-12
Discover more activities for career and technical education on TPT.
