2Dan BlakeDirector, Innovation & PartnershipsSonoma County Office of Education

“Addressing the Issues”

Today’s teens and young adults are persistently

disconnected from both education AND

employment

Today’s workplace emphasizes…Critical thinking

Collaboration

Agility & adaptabilityInitiative &

entrepreneurialism

Effective communication

Ability to access & analyze information

Curiosity, imagination, & creativity

DO TODAY’S SCHOOLS?

These “megatrends” lead to an important conclusion:A new approach to ensure that

our youth are prepared to succeed & contribute to the

economic, social, and cultural life of the community is a moral & economic imperative if we are

to fulfill our responsibility to current and future generations.

What does this new approach look like?

Career Development ContinuumPreparing all Youth for Success in College, Career, and Life

9-16

Career Awareness

Learn about a wide variety of jobs and careers

Career Exploration

Explore, research, and plan for the future

Career Preparation

Gain education, training, and work experience

Educated

Engaged

Experienced

Aware

Skilled

Prepared

Connected

K-8

Awareness Exploration Preparation

Classroom & School • Web Research• Guest Speakers• Career Interest Assessment• College & Career Fairs• Career Contextual Instruction• College Awareness

School & Workplace• Core Academic Preparation• Career Technical Courses &

Programs• Career-Related Project-Based

Learning• Career Plan Refinement• Work-Ready Certification/Soft Skills• Occupational Certifications• Job-Seeking Skills• Work Experience• Internships• College Preparation

Families & Neighborhood

• Adult Interaction • Role Model Observation

Families & Neighborhood

• Risk Taking• Role Playing• Progression of Responsibility

Workplace• Job Shadowing• Career Mentoring• Community Service Projects• Informational Interviews

Workplace• Industry Tours & Field Trips• Career & Job Fairs • Youth in the Workplace

Classroom & School• Career Pathways, Courses, & Clubs• Integrated Curriculum• Classroom Simulations • Career Plan Development• Career-Focused Projects &

Assignments• College Exploration

Postsecondary Options• Community College• 4-year College or University• Trade/Technical School• Military Service/National Service• Apprenticeship• Enter Workforce (full or part time)• Self-Employment/Entrepreneur

Provide students with early career awareness

& exploration opportunities to

connect academic learning with student

interests and the world outside of school

Most of us acquired a superficial and narrow knowledge base of occupations while we were

growing up. Our occupational knowledge reflected what we knew about our family

members’ jobs, the jobs of our neighbors, and the people we came in contact with in our community on a regular basis. This natural occurrence tends to severely limit the career options that students see for themselves. It may explain why so many

children mention the jobs of firefighter, police officer, nurse, or teacher when asked what they want to be when they grow up. These jobs are

familiar to them in their daily lives.(Colussy, 1998)

Program Goals & Objectives

Expand knowledge of career options

Program Goals & Objectives

Expand knowledge of high school and post-secondary education/training options

Program Goals & Objectives

Increase perception of post-secondary relevance

(stress the importance ofeducational attainment)

Program Goals & Objectives

Increase understanding of career goals, interests, and

aspirations

Program Goals & Objectives

Increase the number of students who develop

integrated academic/career development plans,

including course sequences that are consistent with career pathway options

Program Goals & Objectives

Increase awareness of middle school staffs &

parents regarding career development resources and

educational options

Resources & Strategies:Career Exploration Site Coordinator

Step-Up ClassesThe Real Game CA (fee-based

curriculum)Kuder Navigator (fee-based website)

Jobs Made Real (free website)California Career Center (free website)

Math in CTECTE Fund

Cradle to Career

David Militzer, Education Program ConsultantCalifornia Department of Educationdmilitzer@cde.ca.gov (or) 916-323-5146

Dan BlakeDirector, Innovation & PartnershipsSonoma County Office of Educationdblake@scoe.org (or) 707-524-2780

Rebecca Dedmond, Ph.D.Director, The Transition InitiativeGeorge Washington Universityrdedmond@gwu.edu (or) 703-549-6935

Contact information…