Here at ASA, students are the center of all that we do. And we firmly believe (and the research confirms it) that it is in students’ best interests to explore career opportunities early in their educational journeys. Beginning the career exploration process in middle school gives young people the time to discover their strengths and interests, research and understand their career options, and chart a clear path forward before opportunities are foreclosed.
Students agree. “I feel like we should get to explore the careers and find out what you would do in the careers and how you need to get there,” Lexi, an 8th grader from Virigina explained. “I feel like we don’t really do that a lot. And we need more of that.”
American Student Assistance® (ASA) and Education Strategy Group (ESG)’s report, Extending the Runway: A National Analysis of Middle School Career Exploration, highlights the progress being made in this area:
- The federal government has taken steps to allow CTE and student support and academic enrichment investments (i.e., Perkins V) to include middle school career exploration activities.
- The majority of states have a working definition of middle school career exploration that is supported by some dedicated funding, policies to guide districts, and material support for educators.
- Middle school students want more and deeper career exploration opportunities that will empower them to make informed decisions about their future.
Yet more needs to be done to ensure all middle school students, including those from traditionally underserved populations, have access to meaningful career exploration activities and guidance. States should:
- Agree on a clear and unified definition for middle school career exploration if they haven’t already done so.
- Add capacity to build hands-on career exploration experiences, data tools, and program evaluation measures to gauge effectiveness and promote continuous improvement across student groups.
- Provide incentives, professional training, and technical assistance to enhance student experiences at the local level.
More details on opportunities for action can be found in our previous article, What State and Local Leaders Can Do to Improve Middle School Career Exploration. Working together, we can extend the runway for every student, ensuring they are all prepared for fulfilling and successful careers!
