Prepare For My Career

CAREER helps to educate and guide you to high-demand, high-wage jobs that best align with your skills and interests. The highlights below identify successful steps needed throughout middle and high school to prepare you and jump start your success. These steps can be found in Indiana Career Explorer, get ahead by accessing the planning tools and much more.


Students Should Experience — Activities


5th Grade - Activities to Generate Career Awareness

  • • participate in field trips
  • • complete a career interest inventory
  • • participate in a Reality Store or similar
  • • participate in a career exploration day
  • • participate in college/career classroom lessons

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8th Grade - Activities to Gain Career Information

  • • study Indiana Career Explorer
  • • create a resume
  • • take the Exploring College and Careers course
  • • participate in high school orientation
  • • complete a graduation plan
  • • complete items in K-5 grade level span

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  • • complete a job shadowing experience or interview someone in a career field of interest
  • • be exposed to financial literacy course
  • • sign up for the 21st Century Scholars program, if eligible
  • • select a diploma path and complete a 4 year course plan

9th Grade - Activities to Explore Careers

  • • participate in an extracurricular or service activity *
  • • Update Graduation Plan *
  • • consider eligibility for rigorous courses
  • • take the Preparing for College & Careers course
  • • watch ‘Paying for College 101’ *

*Scholar Success Program Requirement for students who qualify for the 21st Century Scholars program


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10th Grade - Activites to Explore Careers

*Scholar Success Program Requirement for students who qualify for the 21st Century Scholars program


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  • • take a workforce readiness exam
  • • determine readiness for college-level Math/ELA coursework and adjust schedule, if needed
  • • take the PSAT

11th Grade - Activities for Career Preparation and Planning

  • • search for scholarships
  • • take a college entrance exam (ACT or SAT) and/or the ASVAB
  • • attend a college fair
  • • visit a college campus and workplace aligned to career interests *

*Scholar Success Program Requirement for students who qualify for the 21st Century Scholars program


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  • • participate in a mock interview
  • • create/update a resume and personal statement<
  • • complete or enroll in at least one AP or dual credit course
  • • verify if on track to graduate on time
  • • create a financial aid plan

12th Grade - Activities for Career Preparation and Planning

  • • submit at least 2 college and/or job applications *
  • • attend a financial aid workshop
  • • file the FAFSA *
  • • watch ‘College Success 101’ *
  • • take rigorous courses, including AP, dual credit,and/or IB

*Scholar Success Program Requirement for students who qualify for the 21st Century Scholars program


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  • • earn an industry certification
  • • participate in a work and learn experience
  • • meet with a counselor to ensure all steps in the college admission process are completed on time
  • • earn a Work Ethic Certification


Students Should Know — Competencies


5th Grade

  • • to identify and apply learning style
  • • career options related to interests
  • • to work independently and within a group
  • • how to make responsible behavior choices that will impact learning

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  • • attendance, punctuality, and doing one’s best effect learning & transfer to the workforce
  • • postsecondary options
  • • the connection between academic success & postsecondary options
  • • common expectations between school and workplace behaviors
  • • factors to consider when selecting a career
  • • persistence, resilience, and effort apply to future success
  • • respectful behaviors
  • • problem solving skills
  • • strategies to reduce stress
  • • conflict management

8th Grade

  • • learning style application
  • • analyze test results to identify strengths
  • • high school options, including CTE
  • • extracurricular options applicable to interests
  • • perseverance towards work and learning

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  • • all postsecondary options and admission criteria
  • • course options needed for desired education and career
  • • skills needed for today’s workforce
  • • career interests
  • • factors to consider when selecting a career
  • • how to use online tools to explore occupations
  • • the relationship between education/training and life goals
  • • respectful behaviors
  • • Personal stressors and stress management
  • • Interpersonal skills to work well with others

12th Grade

  • • how to receive academic support when needed
  • • admission requirements related to postsecondary goals
  • • INDemand career choices and outlook for the future
  • • increased confidence for achieving high quality outcomes

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  • • the relationship between postsecondary and career plans with current grades, courses, attendance, etc.
  • • college costs
  • • all postsecondary options
  • • to locate job postings in careers of interests
  • • to research career goals
  • • investigate career clusters
  • • to determine education & training requirements for careers of interest
  • • to analyze career outlooks and opportunities for employment
  • • articulate skills, knowledge, and abilities
  • • effective interviewing practices
  • • employability skills
  • • respectful behaviors
  • • ethical responsibility to others
  • • healthy stress management strategies