FUTURE WORKERS OF AMERICA - ACCESSING THE WORLD OF WORK

“California is a global center of innovation, and if we were a country we would be the 6th largest economy in the world. But in order for us to really keep that competitive edge, we have to do much more when it comes to investing in career tech education…” - Arnold Schwarzenegger, March 13, 2007 Career Technical Education Summit

This is the fourth in a series of nine articles from the December 27 blog regarding an education wish list of New Year’s resolutions. That resolution stated that career and technical education (vocational) should be given more emphasis and respect in the high schools.

Alarm bells should be ringing in the heads of all thinking Americans when it comes to our diminishing economic status world wide. Most of us have our personal viewpoints as to why, and certainly various media will make sure we get their perspectives as well. Whatever the case, I think that many of us believe education is the key to keeping our domestic work force competitive.

I am happy to see reforms taking place across the United States that demonstrate our desire to tackle this problem. In Massachusetts regional meetings are being set up to focus on equity in career and vocational education. In Kentucky the mission of career and technical education “is to assist schools in providing students with skills necessary for a successful transition to post secondary education or work, and a desire for life-long learning in a global society.” In Missouri, career education is being combined with academics and occupational training aimed at students of all ages. Under the Department of Education, the Office of Vocational and Adult Education is working towards “helping all students acquire challenging academic and technical skills and to be prepared for high-skill, high wage, or high demand occupations” in today’s world. Also encouraging is the effort being made by the (National Governors' Association) to retool career and technical education. Their comprehensive web site is worth checking out.

While most articles on this subject refer to what is happening at the high school and community college levels, it is smart to expose elementary school age children to the world of work as well. Career Days at every level provide a meaningful peek at many different kinds of jobs.

Before it was consolidated, Seattle’s M. L. King Elementary School K-5 students learned that getting ready for the world of work was one of the learning objectives. We had a Career Day early in the year where twenty-five or more members of the community (many of them parents) came to share information about their workday with the children. Careers were across the board, ranging from manicurists, artists and public utility workers to firemen, doctors and college presidents. Prior to the event children heard stories about different jobs, were taught questioning skills, and learned social amenities in the work place. Games like Career Lotto and other activities were available.

On the “big day” all classrooms were set up with head tables, name placards for the presenters, and glasses of water. A school-wide assembly was held so that all presenters could be briefly introduced and entertained with poems and music. Afterwards, student guides from each room took two or three presenters to their class for 20-30 minute presentations followed by questions and answers. After certificates of appreciation were given to the guests, they were ushered to the library-hospitality room for refreshments and evaluations.

Evaluations were invariably glowing, and reflected a unanimous willingness by the presenters to return in the future. The career guests were also “blown away” by the good behavior, great questions, and serious demeanor of their young audience. Many teachers were so motivated by Career Day that they had “mini career opportunities” in their rooms throughout the rest of the year when they invited someone of interest to share his/her work.

For me, as a classroom teacher on the Career Day planning team, it was a school highlight. I am convinced that children, like the rest of us, need to see the purpose in what they are expected to do. Of course we want them to love learning for the sake of learning, but sometimes they need something more concrete. We need to help them understand that in today’s world some kind of post secondary education will be necessary in order to be ready for the world of work.

Whether they end up in four year colleges or career and technical education programs, they will be better prepared to make future decisions with activities like career days early in their education. Providing career awareness at this age takes the concept out of the ivory tower and into the classroom where the magic can happen. If it occurs throughout the country and throughout the different school levels, maybe our young people will be able to make the kind of informed decisions needed for their future careers and the future of America.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOOK NOOK AND OTHER STUFF

I would be happy to help teachers hold a career day at their school. Click on http://www.mrslindsherman.com/ , then go to Career Day which will give you an idea of what could happen. Feel free to contact me for more information at lindsher@aol.com.

My granddaughters played some engaging career games on the link below. Have your class check out the site.
http://www.knowitall.org/kidswork/hospital/jobplay/public/index.html

Teachers will find career exploration guides and resources on the link that follows.
http://www.khake.com/page64.html

Kids who love Lyle the Crocodile will find his antics amusing in the book, Lyle at the Office, by Bermard Waber. He gets into trouble when he visits his friend, Mr. Primm, at his advertising office.