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Dreaming Big Through Career Exploration: Elementary School Style  

11–16 minutes

Exploring career interests beyond pretend play is highly valuable for young learners. There are many ways to make career exploration very enriching, engaging, and of course….fun!

Your Cliff Notes

  • Career exploration looks different at the elementary level versus middle school and high school. 
  • Career exploration allows students to explore different paths that help shape their professional futures. 
  • Career exploration provides time for students to participate in self-discovery and reflection. 
  • Several stakeholders are involved in ensuring students get a robust career exploration program which includes the community, parents, and even district leaders   
  • Career exploration really is a fun experience for kids to explore many unique careers like environmental science and entrepreneurship in the culinary arts. 
a young asian boy is dressed in a nasa space suit

From major publishers to popular eLearning companies, most catalog listings for career and technical education (CTE) course content are available for middle schoolers and higher. From PreK through elementary school, CTE is often marketed as career exploration. Students explore (or sometimes stumble upon) some of the most mainstream careers out there. Nursing, engineer, laboratory scientist, and mathematician – these are just a few of the career callout boxes students will learn more about in their books. Lesser known, but profitable careers, like pharmacists, epidemiologists, accountants, instructional designers, infection preventionists, and industrial hygienists are often missed in these callout boxes. Career exploration for young learners should go beyond what they read. The question is how do we take what middle school and high school students experience in their CTE school class as a course elective (or option) and deliver that same caliber of learning for our elementary students?  

This Is What Career Exploration Looks Like: Environmental Scientists Studying the Great Lakes in Michigan

Before we dive into how career exploration looks in elementary school let’s explore what it looks like. It’s one thing to imagine and understand what career exploration looks like for elementary students. It’s another thing to apply this to real life examples. We created this example starting with students who are interested in exploring environmental science, which leans more towards the environmental career track. These are five examples of how to bring the world of environmental science to a student.  

  • Great Lakes Explorer Biography Project: Assign students to research biographies of individuals who have made significant contributions to the study and conservation of the Great Lakes in Michigan. Students can explore the lives and works of environmentalists, scientists, policymakers, and activists who have played key roles in protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem. They can use books, articles, and online resources to learn about figures like Howard Tanner, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, or Aldo Leopold. Students can create presentations or written reports to share with the class, highlighting the impact of these individuals on the Great Lakes region. 
  • Guest Speaker Series: Great Lakes Experts and Environmental Literature: Invite professionals with expertise in Great Lakes ecology, conservation, or environmental policy to visit the classroom and discuss their careers. Alongside their presentations, these experts can recommend environmental-themed books that focus on the Great Lakes region. Students can engage in discussions about the unique ecological features of the Great Lakes, conservation efforts, and the importance of environmental stewardship. After the visit, students can select books related to the Great Lakes to read and explore further, connecting literature with real-world environmental issues. 
  • Great Lakes Career Research and Literary Connections: Assign students to research specific careers related to the Great Lakes, such as marine biologists, environmental engineers, or freshwater scientists. As part of their research, students can identify literary works that explore themes relevant to Great Lakes conservation and ecology. For example, students can read books like “The Living Great Lakes” by Jerry Dennis or “The Death and Life of the Great Lakes” by Dan Egan. They can analyze how these books portray environmental challenges facing the Great Lakes and how individuals in various careers work to address these issues. Students can then create presentations or written reports that highlight the connections between literature and real-world careers in Great Lakes conservation and research. 
  • Great Lakes Career Day Book Display: Create a classroom display featuring books that focus on the Great Lakes ecosystem, conservation efforts, and related careers. Students can explore the display and select books to read independently or in small groups. Encourage students to share their reflections on the books they read and discuss how literature informs their understanding of Great Lakes issues and careers. This activity promotes literacy skills while deepening students’ knowledge of the environmental challenges and opportunities associated with the Great Lakes region. 
  • Literary-themed Great Lakes Science Stations: Set up hands-on science stations in the classroom that integrate Great Lakes ecology with literary themes. For example, create a station inspired by books like “Paddle-to-the-Sea” by Holling C. Holling, where students learn about the geography, ecosystems, and wildlife of the Great Lakes through interactive activities. Each station can feature reading materials, experiments, and discussions that connect environmental science concepts with literary narratives about the Great Lakes. Through these integrated activities, students develop a deeper appreciation for the ecological significance of the Great Lakes and explore potential career paths in Great Lakes conservation and research. 

Defining Career Exploration

Now that we know just how powerful career exploration can be and the endless possibilities a student can experience through exploration, we need to define this process. Career exploration is like embarking on a thrilling journey into the unknown, where you get to discover the various paths that could shape your professional future. It’s about diving deep into the vast ocean of opportunities, seeking out your passions, interests, and talents. You get to chart a course towards securing a fulfilling and rewarding career. Simply stated, you can be an intrepid explorer, armed with curiosity and determination, navigating through the landscape of industries, job roles, and possibilities. That is what we define career exploration to be.  

At its core, career exploration is a process of self-discovery and reflection. 

It’s about uncovering your strengths, weaknesses, values, and aspirations, and aligning them with potential career paths. Through exploration, you gain insight into different industries, job functions, and work environments, allowing you to make informed decisions about your future. It’s a dynamic and evolving journey that involves researching, networking, experimenting, and learning from experiences, all aimed at finding the perfect fit between who you are and what you want to achieve in your professional life.  

Career Exploration for Elementary Students 

Consider our first example of environmental science career exploration. Here we introduced students to a profession that (1) encouraged them to critically think, (2) create the space to enjoy learning something new, and (3) have fun with the process of learning. This is why career exploration is so valuable to our young learners. They understand the variety of career options available to them in the future and strengthen their love for life long learning in the process. Now this process of exploration often starts with two main components – research and ample time to explore! Simple activities and discussions aimed at broadening their awareness of the world of work are key. Here are some practical ways to weave exploration into a classroom setting. Many of these suggestions can be adapted for virtual and homeschool learning environments:  

  • Engage students in activities such as career-themed projects, classroom visits from professionals representing diverse fields, and interactive discussions about various occupations. These activities are designed to spark curiosity and encourage students to explore their interests and talents. 
  • incorporate age-appropriate resources such as books, videos, and games that introduce children to different professions and highlight the skills and knowledge required for each job. Through these activities, students begin to develop a basic understanding of how different careers contribute to society and the importance of education and skill development in achieving their career goals. 
  • Embark on an educational journey akin to detective work, where students delve into different professions to uncover their intricacies and potential interests. 
  • Make the learning very hands-on. Have students conduct research, interview professionals, and participate in activities related to different careers. This allows them to develop a deeper understanding of various occupations and their roles in society.  

Image by Freepik

Career Exploration Extends Beyond the Classroom

Career exploration is not refined to just the walls of a classroom. For students to truly be immersed in this ability to embody what their future may be, input is required from parents, the community, teachers, and even district leaders. By working together, all invested stakeholders can create a supportive environment that empowers elementary students to explore diverse careers. Here are some examples of how expansive exploration can get when you involve more tools (beyond the classroom building and those basic project supplies):  

  •  Community Career Fairs: The community can organize career fairs where local professionals from various fields set up booths to interact with students. Parents, teachers, and district leaders can work together to coordinate these events, inviting professionals such as firefighters, doctors, engineers, artists, and chefs to showcase their careers and engage students in hands-on activities or demonstrations. 
  • Parent Volunteer Presentations: Parents can volunteer to share their career experiences with students by giving presentations or participating in classroom discussions. Teachers can coordinate with parents to schedule these sessions throughout the school year, allowing students to learn about different professions directly from members of their community. 
  • Field Trips to Local Businesses: District leaders can allocate resources to organize field trips to local businesses, allowing students to observe various workplaces and interact with professionals in real-world settings. Teachers can collaborate with community organizations and businesses to arrange these trips, providing students with valuable insights into different industries and career pathways. 
  • Career Exploration Workshops: Community organizations, in partnership with schools and district leaders, can offer career exploration workshops tailored to elementary students. These workshops can include hands-on activities, guest speaker presentations, and interactive sessions designed to help students explore different careers and develop essential career readiness skills. 
  • Career-themed Classroom Projects: Teachers can incorporate career exploration into classroom projects by integrating it into the curriculum across different subjects. Parents and community members can support these projects by volunteering as mentors or providing resources and expertise related to specific career fields. District leaders can supply professional development opportunities for teachers to strengthen their knowledge and skills in career-focused instruction. 
  • Career Mentoring Programs: Community organizations can establish mentoring programs where professionals mentor elementary students interested in exploring specific careers. Parents, teachers, and district leaders can promote these programs and facilitate connections between students and mentors, providing students with guidance, support, and firsthand insights into various professions. 

Image by Freepik

This Is What Career Exploration Looks Like: Entrepreneurship on the Culinary Track

Some students love to cook. Having an interest in cooking and explaining to students the career track for such passion is culinary arts (through a career callout box in a textbook) doesn’t provide the opportunity for students to truly dream and imagine what a career in culinary arts can be. Depending on the route a student takes they may own a restaurant (or several franchises!), they may open their first food trick or take over their family business. These five examples show how to implement career exploration for culinary arts in the classroom. Notice that we focus specifically on key components like financial literacy, business literacy, and entrepreneurship because after all we support the idea that career exploration should show kids career paths that lead to high earning, rewarding, and successful careers.  

  • Chef Biography and Business Analysis: Assign students to research biographies of famous chefs and entrepreneurs while also analyzing the business aspects of their culinary ventures. Students can explore the lives and achievements of chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Emeril Lagasse, or Ina Garten, and investigate how they turned their passion for cooking into successful business ventures. As part of their research, students can analyze the financial strategies, marketing tactics, and customer service practices employed by these culinary entrepreneurs. They can then create presentations or written reports to share with the class, highlighting the intersection of culinary artistry and business acumen. 
  • Guest Speaker Series: Culinary Entrepreneurs, Financial Literacy, and Food Literature: Invite local chefs, restaurant owners, or food entrepreneurs to visit the classroom and share insights into the financial aspects of running a culinary business. Alongside their presentations, these guest speakers can recommend books that focus on financial literacy, budgeting, and entrepreneurship in the food industry. Students can engage in discussions about managing expenses, pricing menus, and attracting customers to a restaurant. After the visit, students can select books related to financial literacy and entrepreneurship to read independently or as a class, connecting literature with practical business skills. 
  • Culinary Entrepreneurship Research, Financial Literacy, and Literary Connections: Assign students to research specific aspects of culinary entrepreneurship while integrating financial literacy concepts into their analysis. For example, students can explore topics such as budgeting for a restaurant startup, managing cash flow, and understanding profit margins. As part of their research, students can identify literary works that delve into themes relevant to financial management and entrepreneurship in the culinary field. They can read books like “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries or “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. Students can then create presentations or written reports that highlight the connections between literature, financial literacy, and real-world entrepreneurship in the culinary arts. 
  • Restaurant Entrepreneurship Financial Literacy Day Book Display: Create a classroom display featuring books that focus on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and culinary business management. Students can explore the display and select books to read independently or in small groups. Encourage students to reflect on how financial concepts apply to owning and operating a restaurant, such as budgeting, forecasting revenue, and managing expenses. This activity promotes financial literacy skills while deepening students’ understanding of the financial aspects of entrepreneurship in the culinary industry. 
  • Literary-themed Culinary Business and Financial Literacy Stations: Set up hands-on stations in the classroom that integrate culinary arts, business literacy, and financial concepts. For example, create a station inspired by books like “The Lemonade War” by Jacqueline Davies, where students learn about entrepreneurship by running a mock lemonade stand. Each station can feature activities and discussions that explore financial literacy concepts such as profit and loss, pricing strategies, and budget management in the context of owning a restaurant. Through these integrated activities, students develop practical business skills while exploring potential career paths in culinary entrepreneurship. 

Let’s Recap

  • Career exploration is not the same for elementary students when compared to middle school and high school. 
  • Career exploration means embarking on a journey to explore different paths that may shape the professional future of students 
  • Career exploration requires time for self discovery and reflection in which the ability to practice researching and participate in hands on learning is key. 
  • There are many ways to implement career exploration in the classroom  
  • Engaging the community, parents, and even district leaders expand the possibilities of what teachers can do designing lesson plans on career exploration  
  • Career exploration is a perfect opportunity to expose kids to niche careers like environmental science and entrepreneurship in the culinary arts.  

  Resources We Trust and Like 

  • Should Kids Explore Careers When Young? [Why we like this: This provides a great discussion on why career exploration is important for as young as kindergartners and how the type of exploration changes as kids get older] 
  • CTE Activities for elementary students [Why we like this: You are reading directly from a school counselor some great activities to test out in your class room or home room.] 
  • Career Girls [Why we like this: We like the mission this company speaks to and the resources available to help you get your students excited to explore their career interests!] 

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