Professional development for teachers

The role of teachers in career education

It is essential to build up students’ understanding of the world after school. This can happen in various ways, including through experiences, family and whānau input, and school initiatives. However, teachers also have many opportunities in the classroom to help students understand what is available to them when they leave school.

Why bring careers into the classroom?

"There is a limit to how much education you can sustain for no obvious reason…there is a dramatic drop-off in motivation and attendance of students aged 14 to 15.

But if they are starting to develop a view that what I am doing will lead me to this area or that area, if they see the connection, it gives them a reason to continue to learn their English, to develop their maths or whatever they need."

Dr Stuart Middleton, Director of External Relations, Manukau Institute of Technology

How can teachers engage students?

: Help your students see the relevance of school through career education

Students will get more out of career education if they can themselves find and work out what they think about jobs, courses and careers.

Student engagement in career education increases with:

positive relationships with knowledgeable and highly skilled teachers
opportunities to discuss and explore options that suit their interests
frequent exposure to career messages, for example, through incorporating career information regularly in the classroom and existing tasks.

Making links between subjects and possible occupations does not require a vast amount of extra work. It can be as simple as promoting a discussion around the importance of technology in a particular business, in a technology class, or organising a debate such as "Girls make great mechanics" in an English lesson.

A career conversation can take place anywhere, anytime. Keeping it simple is the key.

"Teachers can make links between their subject and students’ future directions by identifying ways in which skills learnt through the subject will be useful later and by talking about particular jobs or careers that the subject can lead to.

"For this to happen teachers need to understand the important role they can play in making students more aware of the links between what they are doing at school and their life after school."

Education Review Office, Report on the Implementation of CPaBL, July 2008.

What are the benefits of engaging teachers in career education?

The school increases its capacity to offer career education and guidance to all students across all year levels.
Students receive career education from teachers who know them well.
Teachers have opportunities to expand their knowledge of and relationship with students.
Students develop a better understanding of the relevance of subject areas to their post-school learning and career options.

"If a career opportunity comes up in your class, seize the moment and run with it, even if it takes over the lesson. There are a lot of incidental opportunities, so don’t cut them off, you can always catch up somewhere.

"Draw on your students’ knowledge and expand on it. Ask them questions such as, 'Would you like to …?', 'What do you want to do?', 'If you don’t know, who do you ask?'

Incidental teaching for me, that’s what it’s all about."

Ann Muir, Year 10 Dean, Pompallier College, Northland

How can teachers help their students?

: The role of all teachers is an integral part of effective career education

To best help students achieve personalised learning through career education, teachers need a good understanding of:

the individual student and the level of decision-making that is appropriate for their age and situation
the pathways at school and post-school and how they link together
the world of work and current trends
the basic resources available to help students, or to help students help themselves
their own limits. Teachers should be able to refer when necessary, or discuss special problems with colleagues.

Encourage self-reflection

Students need self-awareness to make the best and most appropriate career decisions for themselves. They show identity awareness, or a sense of self, when they:

display consciousness of their own skills, abilities and characteristics
demonstrate the ability to understand, describe and reflect on their goals and values
are able to seek and use feedback.

Helping students develop these attributes involves:

self assessment processes and skills – critical thinking, reflection, portfolio skills
feedback – teachers should give genuine and thoughtful affirmation of the skills, strengths and attributes they notice in students
experiential opportunities – not just visits but real projects, eg Young Enterprise
debriefing sessions – encourage self-evaluation: "What bit did you like best/ contribute most to?"

Teachers are an integral part of providing successful career education programmes within schools. They can provide that very important link between their curriculum area and the world of work.