K-2: Career Awareness

During the early grades, students will develop an awareness of careers in their family, community, and various environments by exploring questions like, “What is a job?” What types of jobs are there? (Examples: builder, health care worker, culinary, etc.) and What kind of job environments exist? (Examples: outside, inside, office, school, hospital, etc.)

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

• K-2 HQIM Crosswalks- 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). (Linked List)
  • K: ELA, Math, Science
  • 1: ELA, Math, Science
  • 2: ELA, Math, Science
• K-2 Career Awareness Activities
  • K: Jobs in My Family Activity 1 and 2
  • 1: Jobs in My Community Activity 1 and 2
  • 2: Jobs in Different Environments Activity 1 and 2
• K-12 Work-Based Learning Guidance

Some Suggested Strategies:

• Incorporate MDE K-2 Career Development Activities
• Invite business and industry guest speakers to classroom
• Introduce and model leadership and character traits
• Host a school career fair
• Virtually tour MS careers
• Describe the role of helpers, leaders, and money in our community
• Plan art projects which focus on careers
• Identify personal traits and characteristics that may later link to career interests
• Plan field trips to community business and industry
• Explore the career clusters and work environments
• Plan career-specific awareness days (Manufacturing, Health, Construction Day, etc.)
• Communicate career awareness initiatives to parents and families (brochures, newsletters, websites, social media, etc.)
• Embed career awareness activities in the core and elective curriculum through a career-focused education

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