Career Preparation

The Career Preparation System is a system of programs and strategies designed by the State of Michigan to encourage school districts to give their students opportunities to learn about the world of work and to explore the vast variety of today’s careers. The goal of the system is to ensure that all students completing their educational program will have the necessary academic, technical, and work behavior knowledge and skills they will need for success in a career of their choice and will be able to continue learning over their lifetime. The system encourages schools, students, parents, business and industry to work as partners to give students opportunities to explore the world of work. 

It is never too early and never too late for students to focus on their future and to build their awareness of "what they want to be when they grow up." Career Preparation is a continuum. It begins during the elementary years and continues through post-secondary education. At the elementary level, the focus is on strong academics combined with career activities involving the entire class. These may include tours of work places, presentations by speakers who discuss their careers with students, school businesses run by students, and service learning projects which get our students involved in their community.

During the middle school years, strong academic achievement and the development of employability skills are stressed. Awareness activities continue and students are given an opportunity to take interest and ability inventories. Students begin to venture outside of school to spend time visiting with businesses and industries in the area.

In high school, the emphasis on strong academics continues while students begin to focus on life after graduation. All the career exploration that took place earlier takes on added meaning for students as they make decisions on whether they should look for immediate employment when they finish high school or continue their education at a technical school, community college or university. Intensive work-based experiences such as internships, pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships that take place on the work site help students make those decisions.

For more information, contact the Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment office at  231.780.4751 ext. 8232.