Tag career

Building Tomorrow’s Skills Today: Career-Connected Learning

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

Technology is evolving at a pace we have never experienced before. There have been so many changes in the world through artificial intelligence, automation, data science, and other emerging technologies. These are reshaping industries in real time. As an educator, I feel this shift daily, and I try to push myself to keep learning and looking for opportunities to do more for my students. The challenge is no longer simply preparing students for a job. It’s knowing how to prepare them for careers that may not even exist yet and also supporting them as they develop a variety of skills to be prepared.

When I think about how to prepare students for the uncertainty around the world of work, I look at insights from the World Economic Forum and its Future of Jobs research. While AI was listed as #3 for 2027 and is now listed as #1 for 2030, the other rankings reinforce what we already know: adaptability, analytical thinking, creativity, and resilience are becoming increasingly important in our world.

If we cannot predict the careers that will exist five or ten years from now, the best we can do is prepare students to be flexible thinkers, confident problem-solvers, and ethical technology users. And this is why I believe that career-connected learning is essential.

Redefining “Career Ready”

When I thought about “career ready,” I aligned it with strong academics plus essential skills of communication, collaboration, and the other “soft skills.” These are still relevant and necessary for success, however with the changes in technology, there are other areas that I believe must be addressed and become part of preparing students to be career-ready. remain foundational. Now, I include:

  • Digital and AI literacy
  • Ethical reasoning in technology use
  • Data awareness and cybersecurity knowledge
  • The ability to evaluate and question AI-generated information
  • Comfort navigating complex digital systems

Students need to understand how to use tools like generative AI. And that means using it to enhance and not replace their own learning. They can learn to brainstorm with AI, analyze outputs for bias or inaccuracy, and be able to recognize when human judgment must be at the forefront, providing consistent oversight. Research and interviews of employers have shown that employees will be expected to work alongside AI systems. That preparation has to begin in our classrooms from K through 12 and beyond.

Career-connected learning ensures students understand how what they are studying connects with real careers and real-world impact.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

According to projections highlighted by the World Economic Forum, millions of roles will be displaced due to automation, while millions of new ones will emerge. This is not the first time. More than 100 years ago, thousands of traffic light controllers in New York were displaced due to automation. They did not all lose their jobs, some shifted into others. And many of these new positions demand higher-order thinking, digital agility, and ethical decision-making.

I like to talk about some career options that minimally existed a few years ago:

  • AI prompt engineer
  • Ethical technologist
  • Data privacy consultant

These are some of the many growing fields of work and some which are increasing because of AI. I think about how we are preparing our students and believe that career-connected learning will help to show the connections between classroom content and workforce relevance. I also believe this is something that can be done in every classroom and in all content areas.

What Does Career-Connected Learning Look Like?

Career-connected learning is more than occasional career days. It is something that is embedded into daily instruction, not an extra element. It can include a variety of possibilities, such as:

  1. Project-based learning connected to community or industry challenges. (Builds relevance for students).
  2. Integration of AI, data science, and emerging technologies
  3. Authentic problem-solving rooted in real scenarios
  4. Partnerships with local businesses, universities, or nonprofits
  5. Coding, AI, and cybersecurity challenges

Through opportunities like these, we can foster the development of student agency. When students understand how what they are learning connects to real opportunities, it sparks curiosity, increases students engagement and motivation. Learning is more purposeful, authentic, and meaningful.

Some ideas:

Artificial intelligence is an area that students need to understand. They need to know, how AI systems function, how to evaluate the outputs, how bias can be embedded, and what the ethical responsibilities are for using AI. In career-connected classrooms, AI might be used to discuss and explore how the legal field, healthcare and business industries, and schools are using AI tools. They can engage in role-playing that focuses on ethical decision-making. The goal is for students to leverage AI as a partner, rather than a replacement in learning.

STEM is a great option to focus on career-connected learning. In my own classroom experiences, I’ve seen what happens when students combine AI tools with engineering design, language learning, and problem-solving. When students train image classifiers and then collaborate, problem-solve, and evaluate where the model fails, they are not just learning about the technology, they are developing skills in critical analysis and bias detection.

Cybersecurity is another area that is seeing tremendous growth. Students need to understand how their data is collected, protected, and in some cases, misused. There are hundreds of thousands of cybersecurity roles unfilled in the United States alone, yet many students and perhaps even educators, have not heard of careers such as a threat analyst or a security operations engineer. Lessons on cybersecurity can be done in all classes. Here are some examples that I have shared:

  • English: Analyze phishing emails as persuasive writing
  • History: Debate privacy vs. security
  • Math: Explore encryption models
  • Technology: Investigate AI-related vulnerabilities

Career-ready also means a Human-Centered Future

With all of the technology, especially with AI and automation, we have to keep focused on what makes us uniquely human. Technology will continue to evolve, even faster than it has been. But empathy, integrity, resilience, and collaboration will always matter and we need to make sure that students develop these skills.

With career-connected learning opportunities, we will prepare students for success in the future, even in careers that don’t exist. We will offer opportunities for them to discover their interests and purpose and be prepared to embrace the changes they will encounter and be successful.

About Rachelle

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth is a Spanish and STEAM: What’s Next in Emerging Technology Teacher. Rachelle is also an attorney with a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a Master’s in Instructional Technology. Rachelle received her Doctorate in Instructional Technology, with a research focus on AI and Professional Development. In addition to teaching, she is a full-time consultant and works with companies and organizations to provide PD, speaking, and consulting services. Contact Rachelle for your event!

Rachelle is an ISTE-certified educator and community leader who served as president of the ISTE Teacher Education Network. By EdTech Digest, she was named the EdTech Trendsetter of 2024, one of 30 K-12 IT Influencers to follow in 2021, and one of 150 Women Global EdTech Thought Leaders in 2022.

She is the author of ten books, including ‘What The Tech? An Educator’s Guide to AI, AR/VR, the Metaverse and More” and ‘How To Teach AI’. In addition, other books include, “In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking,” “Unconventional Ways to Thrive in EDU,” “The Future is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead,” “Chart A New Course: A Guide to Teaching Essential Skills for Tomorrow’s World, “True Story: Lessons That One Kid Taught Us,” “Things I Wish […] Knew” and her newest “How To Teach AI” is available from ISTE or on Amazon.

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, AI and the Law, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Bluesky, Instagram, and X at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also, check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Join my show on THRIVEinEDU on Facebook. Join the group here.

The Benefits of College and Career Readiness for Middle School Students

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

Regardless of our role in education or the grade levels that we work with, we all have a responsibility to bring in a variety of learning opportunities to prepare our students for successful careers. They need to engage in learning that will equip them with essential skills and the right knowledge so they can thrive after they leave our classrooms and our schools. Helping students to learn about potential future careers or options for continuing their education should not be limited to the high school years. By starting to focus on career and college readiness at the middle school level, we can help students to learn about the many options available to them and spark their curiosity for learning.

There are many ways to get started with a lot of benefits to creating college and career readiness opportunities for middle school students. Finding methods and tools or comprehensive resources will have a positive impact on student academic success, increase engagement in learning, and foster the development of essential future skills. With online career learning programs, such as Defined Careers, educators can offer an innovative and engaging approach to introduce students to various professions, ignite their passion, and empower them to shape their future. 

In this post, I will share the benefits of focusing on career exploration with middle school and even younger students. Exploring the resources provided by Defined Careers is a great way to help students learn about their options and empower them to explore various career pathways.

Early Exposure to Career Options

Introducing college and career readiness in middle school helps to inform students about a wide range of career options. Through career exploration activities and resources, students can explore job roles in various industries and professions. Defined Learning offers comprehensive career exploration tools that provide K-12 students with insights into different careers. With the K-5 program, this early exposure helps students gain a clearer understanding of their interests, passions, and the skills required for 16 different career clusters. For middle and high school students, interactive modules and videos give students the chance to explore diverse career options such as engineering, entrepreneurship, healthcare, or even art. By learning more about a variety of careers, we can help students discover their interests and passions, allowing them to make informed decisions about their educational and career paths.

Continue reading the original post on Defined Learning.

About Rachelle

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth is a Spanish and STEAM: What’s Next in Emerging Technology Teacher at Riverview High School in Oakmont, PA. Rachelle is also an attorney with a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a Master’s in Instructional Technology. Rachelle received her Doctorate in Instructional Technology, and her research focus was on AI and Professional Development. In addition to teaching, she is a full-time consultant and works with companies and organizations to provide PD, speaking, and consulting services. Contact Rachelle for your event!

Rachelle is an ISTE-certified educator and community leader who served as president of the ISTE Teacher Education Network. By EdTech Digest, she was named the EdTech Trendsetter of 2024, one of 30 K-12 IT Influencers to follow in 2021, and one of 150 Women Global EdTech Thought Leaders in 2022.

She is the author of nine books including ‘In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking,” “Unconventional Ways to Thrive in EDU,” “The Future is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead,” “Chart A New Course: A Guide to Teaching Essential Skills for Tomorrow’s World, “True Story: Lessons That One Kid Taught Us,” “Things I Wish […] Knew” and her newest “How To Teach AI” is available from ISTE or on Amazon.

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Twitter(X) and Instagram at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Join my show on THRIVEinEDU on Facebook. Join the group here.

Service Ideas For Career Exploration

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

In collaboration with @x2VOL

Preparation for college, university, and future careers starts early. High school students start thinking about what careers they might want to pursue in the future as early as their freshman year.

School courses can help students identify areas of interest or uncover specific talents. Other students find working part-time jobs gives them an idea of what they’re good at and extracurriculars or school clubs also allow students the opportunity to explore their passions. Additionally, students find that volunteering exposes them to careers or areas of work they might not have otherwise considered.

Over the years, districts have continued to see the importance and impact of civic engagement on students. Community-engaged students have improved student outcomes for many reasons: students develop important skills through volunteering, have leadership opportunities, experience a sense of belonging, and grow socially and emotionally as they serve others. Students also learn vital skills that allow them to find success in their lives after high school.

Educators work hard to ensure students receive a proper academic education but also are pivotal in spurring students on as they grow individually. As your students are exploring potential career paths and determining what they want to pursue after high school, encourage them to volunteer. As students are thinking about where to volunteer or complete their service hours, encourage students to reflect on what their areas of interest are. This is so personal to each student but it allows them to identify potential areas of focus or interests that could lead to a career path. From there, work with the student to identify opportunities or encourage the student to research needs in the community that would give them some real hands-on experience. Volunteering allows students to help others, see the impact of their work, and explore career interests.

Here are volunteer opportunities and service ideas for students to explore various career paths:

  • Social Services Agencies: Offering time at agencies supporting the homeless, elderly, or individuals with disabilities, allows students to explore careers in social work, counseling, or healthcare.
  • Political Campaigns: Students can assist in local political campaigns to learn more about the process. This is helpful for students interested in politics or public policy.
  • Art and Music Programs: Students interested in fine arts, art history, or music can volunteer at local art galleries or community music programs to gain insight into the arts and culture sector.
  • Community Events and Festivals: Volunteering to help organize or run community events is a great experience for students interested in hospitality or event planning.
  • Tutoring/Mentoring: Students with an interest in teaching can start by tutoring or mentoring other students to get a feel for a career in education.
  • Animal Shelter or Zoo: Students interested in veterinary careers or even zoology can gain experience and insight into the industry.
  • Technology or Marketing: Students interested in technology can volunteer to teach coding or basic tech-related lessons at community centers or nursing homes. Students interested in social media or marketing can put those skills to use volunteering to manage social media for local organizations.
  • Environmental Conservation Projects/ Community Gardens: Students can participate in a community garden or an environmental conversation project to learn about agriculture, sustainable practices, environmental sciences, or urban planning.
  • Library or Museums: Students can volunteer at a library or museum to gain insights into the world of archiving, curation, and education which can be useful for students interested in the arts, history, or information science.
  • Sports or Recreation Programs: Volunteer with youth sports teams or recreational programs. This can help students explore careers in coaching or sports management.

Outcomes of Service

Students can make a huge difference in their communities, and be engaged with others around them while exploring various careers and interests that will set them up for success.

Through volunteering, students can start making connections in their desired industry and gain experience that will benefit them long term. Students can discover new interests and talents, or conversely, realize specific careers aren’t for them.

There are so many benefits students experience while impacting their communities. Educators play a crucial role in leading students through this process and x2VOL is here to support schools and districts in these endeavors.

x2VOL makes it easy to manage community service and work-based learning all online. With benefits for students, educators, and district leaders, x2VOL provides functionalities to remove the burden of hours tracking and reporting, providing educators the space to engage students in these important developmental opportunities. Learn more about how x2VOL supports schools and districts in our demo.

Learn More

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions for your school about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more!

Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Future Ready with IT Security

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

Guest post from Rachael Mann

As Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “…but in this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”, to which I would like to now respectfully add, “and technology.”

The dreaded circle of death can take many forms. My love-hate relationship with technology is relatable with everyone it seems. We’ve all been there- the projector isn’t working, the internet is stalling, or in my most recent scenario, repeated laptop failure. While working on the final chapters for my new book earlier this Spring, a message popped up saying that my power was low and to reconnect to a charger before my laptop went to sleep. I quickly went to plug in my laptop only to realize it was already plugged in. I tried a different outlet, but the message persisted. After trying different outlets in another room, I realized I was going to have to make a quick run to the Apple store to purchase a new charger.

The person assisting me at Apple suggested that I set up an appointment for later in the day to troubleshoot the problem and see if there was another underlying issue. The technician assured me that it was a routine check and that there was nothing to worry about after I expressed my fear that I would lose the data that wasn’t backed up. The “routine check-up” escalated to three technicians working to solve the problem as now the login screen wouldn’t take me back to my home screen. Five anxiety-ridden hours later, I was finally able to leave the store with my MacBook working like a brand new computer again.

The following Monday, due to a teacher shortage, I received a request to do a presentation on one of our campuses. Since most of my work is with teachers, I jumped at the opportunity to spend the afternoon in a high school classroom working directly with students. I rushed over and arrived at the same time that the students were piling in. I quickly set up my laptop and connected the projector, only to see that the dreaded message that had popped up at the Apple store only a few days earlier was once again on my screen.

Fortunately, the students had assignments to do for their IT class and were able to work independently. The IT specialist for the campus came to my assistance, but when he saw the message and realized that it was a personal computer, not one of the school’s devices, he could not offer his services after all.

With the students still working on their own, I took the window of time as an opportunity to call the Apple hotline. After 30 minutes of troubleshooting and still no progress, I resolved myself to the fate of spending another full evening at the Apple store. As I walked away from the laptop to see if any of thee students needed assistance, but a student who had been observing my challenge piped up and said, “Miss, I am a certified technician, can I look at your computer?”.

Several students protested, saying don’t let Peter work on it, he breaks everything! At this point, iI figured it couldn’t get any worse, and I was intrigued by this student’s curiosity and confidence, so I agreed to let Peter help me.

After a few clicks, other students began to gather around. What started as a failed attempt on my part had spontaneously turned into a class project. Some of Peter’s classmates began looking up solutions while others were yelling out commands. At one point, multiple kids were saying, “No, not the Kernel!. I thought this was a new slang word from this younger generation and told them to keep it down, later learning that “the Kernel” was actually a term for a code that he was using. They were speaking a foreign language to me!

As Peter continued to troubleshoot, another screen showed that it wasn’t bootable. From the other student’s expressions, I knew this was a bad thing.

At this point, I began mentally preparing myself for purchasing a new laptop and hoping that I had saved my presentation for Pennsylvania, where I was traveling to the next day, in iCloud. After a short time, Peter asked me to log in. He had finally fixed what the tech specialist at his own school, Apple phone support, and several Apple techs in the store, could not accomplish. My evening was once again free and my trip to Pennsylvania would not incur the price of a new computer to deliver my presentation.

This is what Career and Technical Education is all about. Giving students real-world experiences and skills that will serve them as they decide to move forward on their career path.

I asked Peter about his plans after graduation and he shared that he may get another certification, join the military, or pursue a career in cybersecurity. I have since learned that he was offered a job by one an advisory council member from the program and is now employed locally by Code Ninjas.

Regardless of the paths that his classmates choose, at its’ very core, nearly every career imaginable is a technology career. While it may seem that I am overstating, as Peter Diamandis said in Bold: How to Go Big, Create Wealth and Impact the World, “Right now, there is another asteroid striking our world, already extinguishing the large and lumbering, already clearing a giant path for the quick and nimble. Our name for this asteroid is “exponential technology,” and even if this name is unfamiliar, its impact is not.”

To be successful in any field now requires having a strong technology skill set. This program will equip students with that critical tool.

Early on when the internet was just beginning to explode, it was common to hear professionals typing away on their trusty typewriter and stating, “this internet thing is just a fad”. Fast forward to a mere two decades later and “this internet thing” has not only proven that it is here to stay, it has now become a way of life. Technology will advance, whether we agree to join or not. Those who decide to keep pace will own the future.

Now, the greatest challenges facing the world can also be viewed as the greatest opportunities for our students in classrooms in every corner of the world. As educators, it is our privilege, as well as our responsibility, to give students the opportunity to start tackling big problems now, problems that could lead to initial failure, but ultimately lead them to their own success – which in this case, became my success as well.