Grades 6 – 8: Career Preparation

During grades six through eight, students will explore jobs across America and careers related to their interests and develop their Individual Success Plan (ISP) in alignment with their interests and academic and career goals.

 MDE Resources:

• K-12 Work-Based Learning Guidance (in online folder)
• Individual Success Plan (ISP) Resources
• College and Career Readiness Resources
• MDE Career Development Resource Document
• MDE Exploring Careers Course
• MS Program of Study Resources (RCU updating these documents, summer completion date)
• JROTC
• Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU)

Some Suggested Strategies:

• Develop an Individual Success Plan (ISP) in Grade 7 under the supervision of the student’s advisor, school counselor, or career coach and update/revisit annually.
• Introduce MS School Diploma and Endorsement Options
• Utilize MDE Career Development and Exploration Resources
• Visit the local CTE center or comprehensive high school (in person or virtually) to explore secondary course offerings
• Visit a local community college to explore and participate in hands-on activities
• Attend a career discovery expo in your workforce region
• Invite business and industry guest speakers to discuss career options
• Conduct simplified mock interviews
• Embed career exploration activities in the core and elective curriculum through a career-focused education
• Focus on each career cluster in a specific subject
• Continue involvement in community-based programs and/or organizations (Junior Achievement, Code.org, 4-H, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development)
• Plan job shadowing opportunities for students
• Encourage students to identify personal traits and characteristics that may later link to career interests
• Explore and model leadership and character traits (study skills, time management, self-advocacy, public speaking)
• Incorporate employability skills and work ethics (teamwork skills, project planning, self-assessment, critical thinking skills, technological literacy, conflict resolution, etc.) into curriculum and lesson plans
• Prepare students to transition to high school
• Discuss earning college credit in high school (dual enrollment, articulated credit, concurrent enrollment, advanced placement, and Early College opportunities)