Career Awareness and Exploration in Middle School
eDynamic Learning jumpstarts career curiosity to create opportunities
“By introducing students to in-demand STEM careers, state leaders and district administrators are helping to introduce young talent to critical industries and are paving the way for the workforce of tomorrow.”
Jerry
Wooden, eDynamic Learning CEO
It’s Never Too Early to
Become Inspired
The early bird gets the worm—it’s a common idiom to drive forward the idea that showing up early often leads to greater success. When applied to career exploration, the concept has never been more relevant. The economy and world of work is changing at a rapid pace; making it even more critical that students make well-informed choices about what to study to ensure an advantageous and economically sound entry into the labor force.
The answer?
Bring career exploration into middle school.
Career exploration is often defined as self-discovery that helps students hone in on their strengths and interests and identify career possibilities. When we bring career exploration discussions and activities into middle schools the goal is to widen their scope of options, find what sparks their interest, and connect the dots to understand how natural aptitudes relate to careers. By deepening their knowledge base we can help them understand what steps to take now to make more opportunities possible later in life.
A rising number of school districts see the potential in starting career exploration early, to grow students’ options and make job-market success, and satisfaction, easier to attain. A recent study from the Strada Education Foundation and Burning Glass Institute found that “half of college graduates are working in jobs that don’t use their degree.”1 This should serve as both a warning and an opportunity to rethink when, and how career exploration is introduced. From “light bulb” moments to navigating the maze of certifications, programs, and financing, it takes time to confidently go from education to career. Getting an early start, namely in middle school, could be the difference between underemployment, and thriving in an in-demand career field.
As the largest publisher of CTE and elective digital curriculum in North America, eDynamic Learning is ready and able to meet the career exploration needs of middle school students. It’s imperative to empower middle school students, educators, and parents with knowledge and inspiration. What follows is an in-depth guide to understanding why middle school is a key time to introduce career exploration, learn how to do so in age-appropriate ways that make it fun and inspiring and discover how eDynamic Learning can support you in these efforts. Let’s set future generations up for success by helping them get ahead of the question,
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Curiosity, Interpersonal Skills & Integration
Middle school is a unique time for students. Kids as early as the age of ten are making decisions about what they like, don’t like, what they are good at and not good at. All of that plays into determining what career they want to pursue and capturing their curiosity now pays dividends in passion later. Secondly, as AI and technology advance at a rapid pace, students need interpersonal soft skills that are better learned earlier than later. The more they practice problem-solving, communication, and accountability, the better they’ll be when they need to apply direction to their plans. Lastly, integrating career awareness into core courses demands a level of creativity as there are fewer opportunities for flexibility or electives in middle school schedules.
Open Their Minds To Expand Their Future
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” - Plutarch, Greek Philosopher
Our current model of education is predicated on vessel-filling rather than flame-kindling. This is represented with an over-reliance on testing and a habit of pushing data in pursuit of scores. Instead, let’s ask if we’re fanning the flames of curiosity for our students. To give students that all-important “light bulb” moment, we must create opportunities for it to switch.
“I feel like [Learning Blade] gave them a projection point into future careers and what they are thinking about when they’re thinking about STEM. Especially at the Junior High [level], when they start getting more interested in vocational careers and classes that they are able to take.” - Elise Allred 2023-24 Learning Blade’s National Educator of the Year & Ohio’s Educator of the Year
There are so many distractions in our modern world that gaining a student’s attention, and keeping it, is a feat. But if we can manage to capture their interest, we can change the entire trajectory of their lives. In a recent survey, 42% of adults said they would have considered a STEM career if they had better understood the opportunities available.”2 This highlights that making informed choices about your future isn’t possible unless you know what those choices are.
Additionally, evidence shows that learners are interested in opportunities to immerse themselves in learning that feels relevant to their daily lives. The Forbes article Why youth career readiness needs to begin in Middle School, states that, “87% of middle schoolers are interested in ways to match specific skills and interests with potential careers, and 85% of them would like to learn about the requirements for the careers they are interested in.”³
By bringing career exploration to middle schools we give students three additional years worth of opportunities to tend to a fire of curiosity. of middle schoolers are interested in ways to match specific skills and interests with potential careers of them would like to learn about the requirements for the careers they are interested in 87% 85%
Cultivating Real-World Durable Skills
“The world of work is being fundamentally changed by AI. However, the top skills required to navigate complexity and change remain uniquely human with emotional intelligence, cognitive flexibility, and communication referenced as top skills leaders believe will be essential for employees in an AI-powered future. Young people need this blend of social-emotional, technical, [foundational], and higher-order skills.” Paige Johnson, Microsoft VP of Education
What predicts success? Test scores, good grades, the right extracurriculars—these were all the standbys. However, it’s found that 85% of job success comes from having well-developed soft and people skills, and only 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge (hard skills).4 These interpersonal and employability skills shouldn’t be discounted, and should instead be cultivated in middle school. We live in a continually online and AI-produced system. Ensuring students practice and develop soft skills will get them ahead of those that don’t exercise those muscles.
How Career Exploration in Middle Schools Reflect Unique Needs
It’s imperative that we are preparing students for the ever-advancing workforce needs. This needs to start early and Learning Blade is providing a way to help middle-grade students and educators build that pipeline of a qualified workforce for our employers.” Bradley Jackson CEO, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Tennessee
Integrating career exploration into middle school is a lot like packing for a camping trip. You don’t need to set up the tent or toast your marshmallows quite yet, but you do need to know what the weather will be so you’ll bring the right clothes, get to the store for your s’more supplies and figure out if you need bug spray or a poncho. It’s about exposing students to potential careers and giving them enough tools to make goals, change course, and find new interests while the stakes are still low.
According to American Student Assistance (ASA), “within the entire grade level framework, it is the middle grades in which students are most receptive to positive career development interventions.”5 It’s a goldilocks zone, where students aren’t still “learning how to learn,” nor are they too old and feeling the pressure to settle on something or rule out interests. ASA notes that “among middle school students, career exploration programming can not only boost student confidence and engagement but also help with overall academic growth and foster the development of “21st-century skills” like decision making and critical thinking.”
This is especially critical for STEM careers, as STEM and career exploration in middle school are uniquely connected. According to a study by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute, About 94% of students make career-related decisions in middle school.6 As the need for STEM professionals increases, the case for integrating it earlier is easily found. We need ways to boost career exploration integration to ensure students don’t overlook or lose confidence in these strong career paths and job markets by the time they reach high school.
Opportunities & Capabilities for Career Exploration in Middle School
94%
Every district, classroom and home has different capabilities and opportunities to implement career exploration into middle school. Any integration is better than none, and there are many ways to do so that fit different budgets, timeframes and resources. This list is a great start—and eDynamic Learning is available to help you learn how you can personalize career exploration for your needs.
Dedicated Career Exploration Courses
We believe the importance of career awareness and exploration merits its own inclusion as dedicated time in the master schedule. This will set students up for success in high school; especially if they plan to explore CTE pathways. The more importance that’s placed on career exploration, the more opportunities students will have to discover how their passion and potential can align. Learn more below about eDynamic Learning’s Digital Curriculum for middle school.
Integrated into Core Courses
Throughout the year, each core course weaves career exploration into the class period as “bell ringers” to get students’ attention at the beginning of class or for early finishers who need independent work. These bookends place the subject matter into context for different jobs.
Project-Based Learning
Integrate career exploration into an individual course to bring project-based learning into the classroom. You can also feature it as a cross-curricular initiative where core courses weave one topic, project or mission into each of their academic areas of focus. Learning Blade, powered by eDynamic Learning, is a great example of this approach. We’ll expand on its potential further down.
Supplements to STEM, CS & Elective Courses
These courses are critical to the current job outlook. eDynamic Learning has excellent supplemental STEM, CS, and elective courses available and are easily added to already planned middle school schedules. of students make career-related decisions in middle school.
Hands-on Learning & Collaborative Group Work
Hands-on learning is one of the most effective ways to implement career exploration in middle school. It engages students actively, provides a deeper understanding of concepts, and helps them visualize how skills apply to real-world careers. To support hands-on learning, Learning Blade, powered by eDynamic Learning, offers simple, cost-effective lesson plans for hands-on STEM activities in the classroom.
Try this in your class! Most middle school science teachers cover the concept of the flow of blood through the heart. The Learning Blade Mission Challenge for our Heart Surgery Mission has a simple lesson plan where students design and build their own stethoscope using basic household items of paper towel roll and plastic bottles. This allows teachers to be hands-on with learning and give students a digital break.
Student-Directed Learning
Students are naturally more motivated to learn what already interests them. We should honor that agency, and find ways to bring career exploration inspiration that align to those sparks of interest.
Field Trips
Organize visits to workplaces, factories, labs, or universities to give students a first-hand look at careers in action. Look to Learning Blade resources for primer materials for field trips, especially STEM-focused excursions.
Need ideas? The “Fresh Food Mission” in Learning Blade would be an apt material before bringing students to work at a community garden. It adds context to the educational trip, helping students connect the dots between what they learn, and career paths.
Work-Based Learning Simulations
Connecting students to the real world will give them instant feedback on what feels right. Partner with local businesses to offer on-site or virtual job-shadowing experiences tailored to middle schoolers that act like “mini-internships.” Help them gain confidence in their soft skills with mock interviews and resume workshops. Engage students in community improvement activities that connect to career pathways, such as designing park features for city planning or organizing health awareness events.
Career Day, Guest Speakers & Job Shadowing
Career Day or when a parent or professional visits your classroom to talk about their career, can be an exciting opportunity for students to bring career exploration to life.
Learning Blade is a fantastic resource to help prepare students for these events in advance. One teacher told us, “The STEM careers in Learning Blade helped open my eyes to the varied professionals I could invite into my class to talk about how their job is STEM.”
Soft Skills Development
Teach employability skills like teamwork, communication, and critical thinking through dedicated lessons or activities. eDynamic Learning’s Digital Curriculum weaves employability skills into all courses for a simple way to bring soft skills development to your class.
Career Pathway Mapping
Introduce students to pathways from middle school to high school, postsecondary education, and careers. Learning Blade and Knowledge Matters, both powered by eDynamic Learning, can introduce middle school students to career pathways early to get a jumpstart on certifications.
Our Health Sciences courses are perfect for middle schoolers interested in a career in the high-demand healthcare sector. For example, if a student is interested in becoming a Dental Assistant we’d start that student off with career exploration and an intro to health sciences in middle school. They can continue the courses in high school to earn a certification. Learn more about this eDL Career Ready Program™ and how to implement it.
Career-Focused Labs
Playing is learning; creating spaces for students to practice future careers makes it easy to explore in a safe environment. For example, if you feature culinary arts, provide a kitchen space where students can practice cooking, baking, or food safety techniques. Have a tech or coding lab? Offer opportunities to build a website, develop a game, or code a basic robot.
Family Involvement or Engagement
Family engagement ensures that career exploration extends beyond the classroom where students and parents can have engaging conversations at home. It’s important to educate parents about career exploration tools to build a supportive ecosystem for career readiness and lifelong learning. Educators can do so by sending information home about career pathways, inviting them to attend Learning Blade Mission Challenges, and more.
Get the whole family on board! For example, one teacher used the paper airplane design in the Lightweight Aircraft Mission Challenge as an activity for a STEM night at their school, attended by 150 families.
Classroom Simulations
Career Role-Playing: Set up mock workplaces (e.g., a courtroom, lab, or newsroom) and assign students roles to simulate a day in the life of professionals. As the leader in virtual experiential learning, Knowledge Matters powered by eDynamic Learning makes it easy to set up these simulations. There are also collaboration simulations to teach soft skills.
Career-Themed Projects
Similar to Learning Blade Missions you can set up career-themed projects right in your classroom. STEM Challenges could be as simple as designing and building a basic bridge, or wind turbine to explore engineering careers. To promote health science careers, students can create models of human body systems, practice basic first aid, or role-play as healthcare professionals. Art and design-inclined students could work on a digital animation, design new packaging for a favorite beverage or create a marketing campaign.
Need more ideas?
There are so many ways to bring career exploration to middle school. From enrichment activities to adding an advisory block or setting up before or after-school programs, you can fan the flames of their dreams and get them started on a brilliant career path.
How eDynamic Learning Can Help
eDynamic Learning Digital Curriculum courses are designed to help students develop their interests and plan for the future. Each course integrates the six key interpersonal and employability skills within them and is built in a consistent, award-winning instructional framework. The Middle School Library offers unique middle schools elective and career courses for students to explore a variety of professions and receive the knowledge and preparation needed to make life-shaping decisions prior to high school. Digital courses can serve as a textbook replacement or to supplement the classroom curriculum.
These full-semester courses unlock their potential, helping them understand concepts like the difference between a career and a job, inspiring discussions regarding why you might want a career, and the different clusters available. The courses also encourage students to consider different variables that may influence the career path they choose. The curriculum leads to projects that allow them to do their own research and chart their own potential career path.
At eDynamic Learning, all of our courses are developed in-house by teachers and subject matter experts offering one consistent and simplistic design and interface. They’re written with engaging curriculum narratives that employ backwards-design methodology to support best practices on how today’s students learn. To encourage engagement, each lesson is chunked into bite-sized pieces of text with the integration of visuals. You can also customize course units and lessons allowing you to personalize your instruction.
Interested? Check out these Exploration Courses:
• Middle School Career Exploration 1: Charting Your Path
• Middle School Career Exploration 2
• Middle School Exploring Business
• Middle School Exploring Health Science
• Middle School Exploring Information Technology
Learning Blade Powered by eDynamic Learning
“We have found Learning Blade to be a strong career exploration tool for our middle school students. Its engaging and interactive activities, alignment with standards, and user-friendly design makes it an ideal tool for introducing students to STEM careers. This is a valuable resource.”
– Margie
Vandeven, Commissioner of Education, Missouri
Learning Blade engages students in careers they never knew about before by easily integrating STEM, CS, and CTE concepts into their education. Appropriate for grades 5-9, Learning Blade provides 13 “missions” that contextualize learning and engage all students, including underrepresented and special populations, while reinforcing academic standards. Each of our lessons and resources is indexed so you can see what state standards are being met. After engaging with Learning Blade, eDynamic Learning found that there was a 69% increase in students recognizing that what they learned in school would be useful later in life.
Learning Blade was designed to be variable and flexible so it can be implemented by any and all educators regardless of their STEM or CS focus, or lack thereof. It’s a great jumpstart to these topics, as upon completion, 66% of students reported that they learned something about emerging careers in STEM, and 67% said they learned something about technology.
With over 100 careers and technologies explored in more than 400 lessons in the specific contexts of science, math, English and social studies included, Learning Blade provides the perfect supplemental materials to integrate STEM, CS, and CTE into core courses. They can also be used as a stand-alone program (implemented before school, after school, through the counselor’s office, and more). These resources are free to middle and high school students in 13 fully-funded states, and available for purchase nationwide.
Ready to implement?
To support teachers we provide:
Professional development and implementation training that can be completed in just one hour.
Virtual instructional setrvices are supported by certified teachers that facilitate personalized learning.
Supplemental materials to integrate STEM, Computer Science, and CTE into core educational courses.
About eDynamic Learning
eDynamic Learning is at the forefront of modernizing career education. As a classroom teacher-founded company, we are dedicated to supporting educators with equitable and accessible instructional materials, including full-course curriculum as well as supplemental resources, as they prepare learners for life after graduation.
We support teachers and programs that help students:
• Explore their interests and career options
• Acquire skills through career and technical education (CTE)
• Develop life readiness skills such as interpersonal communication, financial literacy, and more
We take pride in the fact that our solutions and services are designed to support educators as they guide students on a transformative journey of exploration, engage them in learning, and enable them to partake in real-world experiences. We’re excited to increase awareness of the benefits of bringing career exploration to middle school-age students to better help them flourish in the evolving job market.
When you are ready to implement the resources and practices mentioned in this article contact eDynamic Learning; we’re ready to help you guide passion to purpose and to help students plan and prepare for their future.
WORKS CITED
¹Hanson, A. et al. (2024) Talent Disrupted: College Graduates, Underemployment, and the Way Forward , Strada Education Foundation. Available at: https://stradaeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Talent-Disrupted-2.pdf?utm_ source=StradaEducation.org&utm_medium=Website&utm_campaign=TalentDisrupted&utm_content=DownloadButton%20 (Accessed: 29 January 2025).
²Ascione, L. (2024) Early stem career awareness drives future success for students--and the economy, eSchool News. Available at: https://www.eschoolnews.com/steam/2024/11/25/early-stem-career-awareness-drives-future-success/ (Accessed: 29 January 2025).
³Eddy, J. (2025) Why youth career readiness needs to begin in Middle School, Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/ sites/jeaneddy/2025/01/14/why-youth-career-readiness-needs-to-begin-in-middle-school/ (Accessed: 29 January 2025).
4Greatest factor in job success: Soft skills (2022) eDynamic Learning. Available at: https://www.edynamiclearning.com/greatest-factor-in-job-success-soft-skills/ (Accessed: 29 January 2025).
5(2021) Efficacy and innovation in Middle School Career Exploration. Available at: https://www.asa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Efficacy-And-Innovation-In-Middle-School-Career-Exploration-Proven-Models-For-Student-Success.pdf (Accessed: 29 January 2025).
6(2021a) Increasing Student Interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM): Massachusetts STEM Pipeline Fund Programs Using Promising Practices . rep. UMASS Donahue Institute Research & Evaluation Group. Available at: https://www.mass.edu/stem/documents/Student%20Interest%20Summary%20Report.pdf (Accessed: 29 January 2025).
