Career Development Using Work-Based Learning
By Andrea Diehm, DOE Liaison | January 2018
When asked in which grade career development should begin, most people guess the end of middle school or beginning of high school. In reality, career development should begin when students begin school, in early elementary. Career development in elementary school is focused on career awareness, middle school has a career exploration focus, and high school is geared more toward career preparation.
Work-based learning (WBL) essentially connects students with businesses so they engage in real-world experiences. When asked in which grade WBL should begin, most people guess high school with internships. The reality is WBL can start as early as elementary school because WBL is a form of career development, allowing students to build awareness of career opportunities in their communities. A farmer from the community coming as a guest to speak to second graders about how math is important is an example of WBL in elementary school. A sixth-grade student Skyping a chemical engineer for a virtual information interview to find out what the career is like and requirements to get into that field is an example of WBL in middle school. A junior working in an internship at a local internet and telephone company is an example of WBL in high school.
Governor Dennis Daugaard is leading a Workforce Development Initiative with a challenge to develop and prepare a skilled workforce for South Dakota. Part of workforce development is the opportunities youth have to access real-world experiences. One area that provides these is WBL. As WBL experiences span throughout K-12, they may help youth to be career, college and life ready.
The graphic below helps illustrate examples of WBL in various grade levels.
As one can see, career development should begin in elementary school, as should WBL. Connecting students to real-world experiences can help them prepare for life after school, see relevance in their academics and build career awareness. WBL helps students on their journey to become college, career and life ready.
Work-based learning (WBL) essentially connects students with businesses so they engage in real-world experiences. When asked in which grade WBL should begin, most people guess high school with internships. The reality is WBL can start as early as elementary school because WBL is a form of career development, allowing students to build awareness of career opportunities in their communities. A farmer from the community coming as a guest to speak to second graders about how math is important is an example of WBL in elementary school. A sixth-grade student Skyping a chemical engineer for a virtual information interview to find out what the career is like and requirements to get into that field is an example of WBL in middle school. A junior working in an internship at a local internet and telephone company is an example of WBL in high school.
Governor Dennis Daugaard is leading a Workforce Development Initiative with a challenge to develop and prepare a skilled workforce for South Dakota. Part of workforce development is the opportunities youth have to access real-world experiences. One area that provides these is WBL. As WBL experiences span throughout K-12, they may help youth to be career, college and life ready.
The graphic below helps illustrate examples of WBL in various grade levels.
As one can see, career development should begin in elementary school, as should WBL. Connecting students to real-world experiences can help them prepare for life after school, see relevance in their academics and build career awareness. WBL helps students on their journey to become college, career and life ready.