Career education is instruction intended to help young people identify, choose, and prepare for a career. Such instruction may focus on a person’s role in work, leisure, or family life. Career education differs from vocational education, which is designed to teach specific occupational skills.
Career education includes the formal and informal learning that occurs in the family, in the community, and in schools. In school, career education consists of instructive activities included in many courses. These activities are designed to improve the attitudes, knowledge, and skills important for work roles. For example, a science class might investigate careers in environmental fields, health, and marine sciences. Career education helps students develop self-understanding and use it to plan their education and working life.
A complete career education program in school begins in kindergarten and continues at least through high school. Most colleges and universities also offer career education through their counseling programs. In kindergarten and elementary school, youngsters learn about different types of work. In middle school or junior high school, children begin to explore the occupations and leisure activities that interest them most. School counselors and teachers help children find educational and occupational opportunities that match their abilities and interests. In high school, students get more specific information about occupations and lifestyles. They may be in classroom, small group, or individual sessions where they learn how to make career decisions. They also should obtain the skills they need for further study or for a job after graduation. Beginning in the early 2000’s, the federal government of the United States started funding an increasing number of career education programs that help students transition from high school to college. The goal of these programs is to address a critical shortage of jobs in certain occupations, such as health care, education, and technology professions. Counselors provide information on such matters as how to locate and apply for jobs and how to be successful in interviews.
Teachers and counselors use a variety of methods to provide career education, including films about occupations or industries. Children may invite parents or other adults to come to school and describe their jobs. A student may accompany a worker on the job. Cooperative education combines classroom study with practical work experience.
