Maryville, TN – 8/19/20204 – What can we learn from authentic Career Stories in an age of Career Pathways? That’s what a new report from the Pathway2Careers Foundation is challenging the field to understand. Through the examination of more than 300 personal Career Story videos, an essential element embedded within Pathway2Careers Career-Connected Learning Suite, the videos capture the personal journeys from diverse industry and occupation sectors, predominantly in New Mexico. These professionals from fields like civil engineering, data science, veterinary technology, and airframe and powerplant mechanics offer students a glimpse into a broad range of occupations, and the educational and employment decisions they made along the way to those careers.
The power of authentic Career Story videos is in exposing students to a library of “virtual mentors” discussing career options students might not have previously considered or even known existed. This exposure is particularly valuable for students lacking career mentors, role models, or who live in rural communities with limited business and industry exposure. By showcasing professionals who mirror the students’ own diversity in age, gender, ethnicity, education, and geography, these videos help students visualize themselves in similar careers. This approach aligns with the foundation and company’s core philosophy: “If students can see it, they can be it.”
The white paper outlines the dual benefits of these Career Stories for both students and educators. For students, the videos provide a realistic look into various professions, aiding them in making informed career choices. For educators, the videos offer a rich resource, supplying insights and experiences that can be incorporated into Career-Connected Learning (CCL) strategies. Teachers gain practical knowledge from the professionals’ experiences, which they can use to enhance classroom discussions and career planning activities.
In addition to highlighting the advantages of career exposure through storytelling, the white paper identifies recurrent themes and lessons from the career journeys of the 300 professionals. It establishes a research-based foundation for Career-Connected Learning and proposes recommendations for educators dedicated to advancing CCL, guided by the U.S. Department of Education’s initiatives.
Dr. Joseph Goins, board member of the Pathway2Careers Foundation and CEO of Pathway2Careers, LLC, emphasized the white paper’s importance: “This publication highlights the critical role of career exploration and awareness in shaping students’ futures. By offering real-world insights and diverse role models, we inspire students to dream big and pursue their career goals. We are thrilled to share these findings with educators and policymakers to foster the growth of Career-Connected Learning nationwide.”
The white paper is available for download on the Pathway2Careers Foundation’s website. For further details about the study and its implications for K-12 education, please visit https://p2cfoundation.org/resources/.
About The Pathway2Careers Foundation
The Pathway2Careers Foundation (P2C Foundation) is a non-profit organization committed to bridging the gap from education to workforce and entrepreneurship to help communities and states create a new generation of highly-skilled and ready talent for a host of 21st Century industries. It advances its work through research and supporting all local, regional, and state partners involved in the talent development ecosystem.