Bringing Career Exploration into the Classroom

​If there’s one thing we believe every student out there could benefit from, it’s the opportunity for career exploration. Even from a very young age, we’re asked the golden question: what do you want to be when you grow up? Some of us change our minds hundreds of times as we grow up and some of us are dead-set and know exactly what career we want. But some of us grow up and by the time high school rolls around, we still don’t know exactly what we want to be.

​Sometimes we just don’t know what career fields interest us, and sometimes we just have no idea what kind of jobs are out there. Maybe we know generally what interests us, like art or science or business, but we’re not sure what kind of job positions are available in those areas. This is where career exploration comes in.

At CCF, we believe it is vital for every student to be exposed to as many different career fields, job positions, and career paths as possible so they can be aware of the possibilities. One way we do this is by inviting local professionals to volunteer as Classroom Presenters in our after-school meetings. Classroom Presenters are folks who come to speak to our students to share what their career is, and the path they took to get to where they are today.
 
We know that everyone’s path is different, and there are a million different ways to get to the same place when it comes to finding your chosen career. So, by hearing the variety of experiences our presenters share with our students, they can learn about not just what different career fields they might pursue, but what sort of jobs are offered within each field or company, what a day in the life in that job or role looks like, and the different avenues available to get the job they want in the future. It’s also a great way to introduce our students to the idea of networking when they come across a presenter they really connect with!
 
CCF has worked with many different Classroom Presenters from a variety of local businesses to not only share their stories, but to offer lessons on specific topics and important life skills. Some of the businesses and organizations we’ve worked with in the past and topics they’ve covered include:

• S&T Bank: Review of Financial Literacy
• Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH): Self-Care through Artistic Expression
• The Health Department: Healthy Relationships
• G&W College Prep: Preparing for the SATs, College Applications, and FAFSA
• IMC Construction: STEM Careers and Internship Opportunities
• Wings For Success: Job Interviews
• Open Hearth: Financial Planning
• Penn State University: Understanding the Admissions and Financial Aid Process

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Over the years we have seen many students discover interests in career fields they would have never considered until they engaged with a CCF presenter. It’s always a delight to see our students’ eyes light up the moment they realize they found their calling.
 
When it comes to deciding what career field to pursue as a high school student, no matter how sure they are about which path to take in life, there is always something to learn with career exploration. We don’t always know what we don’t know, so exploring our options can help give a sense of clarity and make the decision that much easier. You never know, they might discover a hidden passion they never knew they had!