Project-based learning (PBL) holds promise for students in urban high schools by creating personalized, engaging, and relevant experiences that prepare students for post-secondary pathways. This exploratory study focused on understanding the implementation of PBL in an urban STEM high school that includes career pathways where students engage in…

How can two-year colleges ensure that all students can access quality career navigation opportunities that inform their studies and position them for meaningful, family-sustaining work? That is the challenge being addressed at Boston's Bunker Hill Community College through a college-wide initiative known as Ethnographies of Work (EoW). The…

The purpose of this action research study was to understand the web of relationship between career exploration programming stakeholders serving public sixth through twelfth grade schools to uncover best practices. This research, originating in the state of Maine, resulted in improved understanding of the personalities, goals, and characteristics…

Guided pathways is arguably the most widespread whole-college community college reform movement in decades. In this report, the authors present findings from a study on the scale of adoption of guided pathways practices across community and technical colleges in three states--Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington--where there are state-level efforts to…

For more than 70 years, the federal government has supported efforts to improve adult literacy and other basic skills. Many adults need help with basic skills like reading, writing, mathematics, and English proficiency to succeed in the American workforce. Congress has long provided resources to help individuals address these educational…

The purpose of this narrative research study was to explore the post-course perspectives of students who completed a life design career course and investigate what roles these experiences had upon the participants' post- course career narrative construction. Data was collected by interviewing nine undergraduate, domestic, students who had…

This report guides implementation of Purpose First, Complete College America's (CCA's) strategy that creates a "missing link" between career choice, guided pathways, and first-year momentum. This report lays out the components of a Purpose First experience focused on helping students explore interests and careers, make informed choices…

Bridge-to-college programs aim to help people complete high school and enroll in postsecondary education, two milestones that increase access to economic opportunity. These programs help students obtain their high school credentials while encouraging postsecondary transition and success. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in Green Bay,…

This self-study guide provides state and local education agencies and schools with a tool to assess implementation of career readiness practices across a district or secondary school and to plan improvements. It is arranged by implementation areas that have been found to be important to career readiness efforts based on a review of the literature…

In this essay, we discuss issues related to the integration of career exploration in our nation's middle schools. We discuss the theoretical and empirical basis for career exploration at the middle school level and identify selected barriers to its effective implementation, namely with regards to career advising and parent involvement. We also…

"Promoting Quality Individualized Learning Plans throughout the Lifespan: A Revised and Updated ILP How to Guide 2.0" expands upon the guidance and resources in NCWD/Youth's earlier ILP [Individualized Learning Plan] How to Guide. ILP How to Guide 2.0 provides career development resources and examples of ILP implementation for an…

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative case study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of what employers perceive their role to be in developing student learning and skills development. Employers who place and participate in an internship program for an undergraduate student will be interviewed to understand their perceptions and the…

Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs), an effective strategy to promote students' college and career readiness, are increasingly used in US school systems as a mechanism to encourage students' career exploration and identification of career goals. After describing features of ILPs, we provide an example of the ILP process developed and implemented…

Professional development in chemistry doctoral programs has traditionally relied on the skills and opportunities embedded within the requirements of the Ph.D. program being sufficient for employment. As a result, little emphasis is usually placed on career planning and exploration within the doctoral curriculum. Additionally, the support provided…

Within the education field, international partnerships to address career development have been successful around the world (Brown, Bim Rose, & Hughes, 2005; Nazali, 2007; Prideaux, Patton, & Creed, 2002; Repetto, 2001). Career development programming impacts the educational development for children and adolescents (Gottfredson, 1981;…