Career-development-and-work-based-learning. Retrieved November 1, 2019, from https://kuconnect.ku.edu/courses/1885/pages/m1-presentation-career-development-and-work-based-learning?module_item_id=128798.      
Morningstar, M. (2018). Your complete guide to transition planning and services. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. Simonsen, M. (n.d.). 

Target audience middle and high school students. This clip gives students an overview of 8 general job skills that will help them gain employment and  demonstrates practical applications of each of them.  

 

The following clip is produced by WGCU Curious Kids (www.wgcucuriouskids.org).This clip is just under 30 minutes and focuses on exploring the interesting and unusual career options of people.  Curious Kids is best suited for the elementary and middle school aged students exposing them to a variety of career options. 

Target audience middle and high school students. This clip focuses on 4 skills and steps that could lead to a successful career.  It encourages students to challenge themselves academically daily, to understand the necessary life skills needed to set a strong foundation for their future, and the importance of employability and technical skills to help find and keep jobs in the future.  The video also stresses the importance of completing self-awareness surveys and researching the identified careers that align with your interests and abilities.  

Luecking, R. G. (2009). The way to work: how to facilitate work experiences for youth in transition. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes

VR, N. (2017, September 22). Work-Based Learning. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy5cXDfv-yY.

1. Career awareness
2. Career exploration
3. Career preparation
4. Career assimilation

Within career preparation, students learn “work-related skills through on-the-job experiences and through planning for post secondary education and training,” (Morningstar 2018). Internships, job training, work-study programs, and career classes are a few experiences that students can take to promote career preparation. The following video demonstrates a path  of career preparation that Xander takes: paid employment. According to Luecking’s “The Way to Work,” Bridges...from School to Work is a program for students with disabilities that focuses on “1) career counseling and job search, 2) securing a paid position, and 3) post placement follow-up support and tracking of participants” (Luecking 2009). Xander’s experience helps promote his career goals since he not only secured a part-time job but is taking classes in his chosen career field. This brief but detailed video provides others with insight of the Bridges program, how it works, and how it benefits the participants.

References

Luecking, R. G. (2009). The way to work: how to facilitate work experiences for youth in transition. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes

Morningstar, M. (2018). Your complete guide to transition planning and services. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. Simonsen, M. (n.d.). 

In this episode, the host spoke to multiple guests across three segments. First, a rep from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (US Dept. of Labor) talked about an occupational outlook handbook https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ (Links to an external site.) available to provide career information. The handbook details industries, wages, demands, etc. This guest also shared information about job trends projected over the next 10 years as well as education and training needed. She shared about a wide variety of careers accepting of educational backgrounds. All of this is very relevant info to our students and parents/families.  

I appreciate that the episode and the viewing guide also featured the Dept of Labor’s O*NET Interest Profiler tool. This resource was also featured in our readings. This tool helps students explore hundreds of occupations. Job seekers can see what skills are needed to be successful in different jobs. It’s a great place to begin career research.

The episode also shared ideas for parents outlining key phrases to search online, so that parents can continue to support their children after viewing the episode.  

Next, guests shared new trends in online mentoring services. A virtual mentor and a virtual mentee were present to share their experiences. The mentor’s role is to help mentees explore academic majors and later careers. They communicate online weekly.   

And a final guest talked about career search tools available at your local public library. She spoke about challenges and benefits for teens researching careers. She also shared ideas for navigating obstacles and career possibilities with an open mind and connecting with supportive adults. “Many jobs that will exist in the future, don’t exist yet,” but teens can hone their soft skills and meet others with similar interests. Parents may not be aware that local libraries offer free resources for support with applications, cover letters, resumes, and more.

Although I hoped that the episode would address the Virtual Job Shadow https://www.virtualjobshadow.com/ (Links to an external site.) Career exploration website more explicitly, there may be another episode which does, since it is a very valuable tool. I am still pleased that our group discovered the IQ: Smart Parent episodes and can share them as a resource to benefit parents and students.  

Luecking, R. G. (2009). The way to work: how to facilitate work experiences for youth in transition. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes

Carrie Career's guides you through the 16 career clusters. Each slide of the presentation gives students a quick overview of what you may do under that cluster and the jobs that match the cluster. The target audience would be anyone in elementary, middle, and high school.  Exposing students to the career clusters will provide them with an effective tool to developing their programs of study.