Empowering Students Through Career Exploration: My Journey as a HirePaths Teacher Ambassador
When I became a HirePaths Teacher Ambassador, I didn’t know what kinds of resources were available for me and my students. However, I knew that I wanted to provide more opportunities for my students to learn about accessible careers in our home state. As a technology coach at a STEM and Career Explorations magnet school, I had the flexibility to work with students in unique ways. Given that many of my students came from low-income families and often lacked the resources to think beyond immediate needs, it was crucial to expose them to a wider range of future career opportunities.
Expanding Career Exploration
One of our first initiatives was to enhance our existing career explorations class. Previously, students researched careers they were familiar with, such as professional athletes, YouTubers, and doctors. Through HirePaths, we shifted the focus to attainable careers in our state and provided resources to help students learn the necessary skills.
Lunchtime Career Chats
We introduced Lunchtime Career Chats by leveraging data from our students’ Xello profiles, which match their interests and talents with potential careers. We invited industry professionals to speak with students during lunch, sharing insights into their careers. Students spoke with professionals from various fields, including an exhibit designer, an interior designer, a zookeeper, an author and a cybersecurity expert. These sessions broadened students' perspectives on career possibilities.
Future Maker Mobile Learning Lab
To further inspire our students, we hosted the Future Maker Mobile Learning Lab from WSU Tech. This initiative exposed students to technical careers they could pursue in high school. They experienced virtual welding, industrial painting, drone piloting, aviation, and computer science. We also discussed the financial benefits of taking these courses in high school, emphasizing that the State of Kansas covers tuition costs for many programs.
Visits to the Future Ready Center
We took a group of AVID students to the FutureReady Center for Manufacturing. FutureReady Centers are a partnership between USD 259 and WSU Tech. Here, students engaged in hands-on activities related to robotics, electrical engineering, riveting and assembly. It was exciting to see HirePaths Cool Careers videos introducing each station, reinforcing that these careers were attainable locally.
One-on-One Career Interviews
Our AVID students conducted one-on-one career interviews as part of a classroom research project. They used WSU Tech resources to research careers and interviewed industry professionals via Zoom. These experiences enhanced their speaking skills and provided valuable insights into various careers. The students then created promotional videos to share their findings, further exposing their peers and families to new career opportunities.
Being a HirePaths Teacher Ambassador has been a transformative experience. I learned about numerous careers, opportunities and resources available to our students. The biggest takeaway is that students often have a limited worldview and may not realize the opportunities available to them. Don’t hesitate to reach out to experts or acquaintances to share their career journeys. Many people do not start at their dream job but find their path along the way. You never know who you will inspire next!
Lindsey Holtry was the 2023-2024 Kroger HirePaths Teacher Ambassador. She's a middle school educator in Wichita.
