Students begin career development in elementary school through classroom guidance lessons, career day and career cafes. During this early exploration students begin to identify careers in the community and begin to make connections between school and career opportunities. At the middle school level, students use Naviance to explore careers. In Naviance, students are able to take a career interest inventory which matches their interest with a particular career. Students also learn about the educational requirements in order to pursue a particular career. Students should begin selecting courses in high school based on their career interests. At the high school level, the courses students choose should prepare them for the rigors of college level work or to enter the workforce to earn a living. At each level students should develop 21st century skills in critical and creative thinking, problem solving, collaboration, communication, information and media technology in order for them to thrive in the career of their choice.
