The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) is constantly working to help ensure that our students are college, career, and life ready. We work to achieve this through a variety of age-appropriate experiences that begin as early as elementary school and continue through graduation.
In the elementary and middle school levels, career exploration is designed to spark curiosity, build self-awareness, and help students begin to see connections between their interests, strengths, and future possibilities.
To explore what career exploration looks like with IUSD, we sat down with one of IUSD’s school counselors, Vicky Hsu, to highlight how these early opportunities help set all students on a path to being future-ready.
Can you tell us about your role and your team?
I currently serve as a school counselor on special assignment on the College, Career, and Life Readiness team. I am a school counselor by training, and I have worked in K-12 education for over 15 years. My focus is on elementary and middle school career exploration, with the goal of broadening students’ experiences and knowledge of the possibilities and opportunities in the world of work.
The College, Career, and Life Readiness team works to support the unique strengths of each learner and help them build skills needed to succeed in the future. Our team supports Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), Dual Enrollment and the Early College Program, Career Technical Education, and, of course, career exploration for elementary and middle school students. We also partner with colleges, universities, and local businesses, including Edward Life Sciences, Broadcom, and Google, to better understand the skills and experiences students need to succeed. These partnerships help ensure that our K–12 programs prepare students for what comes next.
What is career exploration?
Career exploration is more than what the words imply - it is about exploring the world and gaining self-awareness of your strengths and interests, which can help you discover more of what makes you happy, fulfilled, and excited about your future. Career exploration in elementary and middle school isn’t about locking students into a track; it’s about unlocking possibilities during a pivotal stage in their development and academic journeys.
Career exploration can look like many things:
- School-based field trips
- Taking middle school electives that interest you, like film or robotics
- Interviewing interesting people in your community about their work
- Reading career-themed books
- Researching labor statistics and industry trends
- Watching and listening to industry experts talk about their career journeys
- Touring workplaces
- Just discovering more about the world around you!
My child is in elementary school and is not planning to attend college or start a career anytime soon. Why is career exploration important for them?
Elementary school is the perfect time to start career exploration. At this stage, children are most curious and excited about learning. The stakes are low, so allowing them to try out new activities is pressure-free. Career exploration is more than finding out what career or major one will be in the future; it’s about figuring out interests, strengths, and even dislikes. This is beneficial for building a sense of self. Understanding who we are helps us grow by revealing how we work best, what brings us joy, and what will help us become the best versions of ourselves.
How does exploring interests early help set my student up for success in high school and beyond?
When children understand the opportunities available to them and see how their current learning connects to their future goals, they become more enthusiastic, engaged, and motivated to do their best. These effects can lead to better academic and mental health outcomes in and out of the classroom and set our children up for success. This foundation becomes especially meaningful as students enter high school, where they can explore a wide range of pathways, including Career Technical Education courses and programs. Because students have already begun reflecting on their interests, they are better prepared to engage with these opportunities in meaningful ways.
How can parents help support and encourage students to explore future career ideas and interests?
Parents can support their children by encouraging them to try different things, even if those activities seem unfamiliar at first. Trying new things challenges children to step outside their comfort zone and can build resilience and self-confidence.
Asking open-ended questions about hopes and aspirations, such as “what does that look, sound, feel like…”, and helping children build a flexible plan for the future can encourage children to dream big.
Finally, engaging in age-appropriate extracurricular activities that hone in on your child’s interests is a great way to incorporate fun in career exploration. Participating in after-school or summer programs, attending career events at your school, or learning a new hobby are all great ways to open the door to new experiences and opportunities.
Learn more about Career Exploration and the College, Career, and Life Readiness Team.