Grades 3-5: Career Exploration

During grades three through five, students will explore careers in various sectors and within their region and state of Mississippi that align with regional and state workforce needs. Students will investigate the 14 career clusters to explore which pathways align with their interests.

MDE Resources: (Resources in online folder, science HQIM crosswalks completion date May 2026)

• 3-5 HQIM Crosswalks ELA, Math, Science- Purpose: To demonstrate the alignment between the MS Workforce Development Model and HQIMS. This resource crosswalks HQIM units or modules in ELA, Math, and Science with workforce model skills and key grade level CCR Standards as well as connect essential skills students should be able to do by the end of the grade (ie: work with others, express ideas, follow directions).
  • 3: ELA, Math, Science
  • 4: ELA, Math, Science
  • 5: ELA, Math, Science
• 3-5 Career Awareness Activities
  • 3: Jobs in Different Sectors Activity 1 and 2
  • 4: Jobs in My Region Activity 1 and 2
  • 5: Jobs in My State Activity 1 and 2
• K-12 Work-Based Learning Guidance

Some Suggested Strategies:

• Incorporate MDE 3-5 Career Development Activities

• Invite business and industry guest speakers to classroom

• Attend/plan a career exploration expo

• Conduct career interest inventories

• Plan career-specific exploration days (Manufacturing, Health, Construction Day, etc.)

• Introduce jobs in different sectors

• Explore high priority careers by region/state

• Plan college and career apparel/team days

• Assign a career interest interview of a community or family member

• Introduce and discuss employability skills

• Plan career exploration field trips (in person and/or virtual)

• Plan family STEM, engineering, health, or public safety nights

• Embed career exploration activities in the core curriculum

• Link core academics to career clusters

• Focus on each career cluster in a specific grade or subject

• Connect community-based programs and/or organizations (Junior Achievement, Code.org, 4-H, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development)