It’s National Career Development Month! This month is all about helping individuals boost their workplace readiness skills and enhance their career prospects. There are lots of great ways to celebrate in the classroom. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Talk about different careers.
National Career Development Month is the perfect time to introduce students to a variety of different careers. Talk about what each career entails, what kind of education or training is necessary, and what kinds of skills are needed to be successful. You can also invite guest speakers from various careers to come talk to your class or go on field trips to see first-hand what different jobs are like. This is a great way to help students start thinking about their own career aspirations and what they need to do to achieve them.
2. Encourage students to set goals.
One of the best ways to celebrate National Career Development Month is by helping students set goals for their future. Talk about the importance of setting both short-term and long-term goals and provide examples of each. Then, have students brainstorm some goals they would like to set for themselves. Once they have their goals mapped out, create a plan with them for how they can achieve those goals. Finally, check in periodically throughout the year to see how they’re doing and offer help and support as needed.
3. Help students build their resumes.
A key part of career development is learning how to market oneself effectively and that starts with having a strong resume. If you’re not sure where to begin, there are plenty of resources available online. You can also do some activities in class to help students get started, such as having them list their skills and experience or role-playing mock interviews. By the end of the month, they’ll have a solid foundation for their resumes that they can continue to build on as they get older.
4. Connect students with mentors.
Knowing someone in our desired field can be incredibly helpful when it comes time to applying for jobs or furthering our education because they can offer guidance and advice from their own experiences. That’s why connecting students with mentors is such an important part of career development! There are lots of ways to do this, from reaching out to parents and community members who might be willing to mentor your students virtually or setting up job shadowing opportunities (when it’s safe to do so).
There are lots of great ways to celebrate National Career Development Month in the classroom! From talking about different careers and inviting guest speakers into the classroom, to helping students set goals and build their resumes, there are plenty of ways educators can help their students prepare for success in the future!
Be sure to check out our MECA system, our career exploration and assessment system related to training education and employment here.
