Career Awareness - PA Secondary Transition

What is Career Awareness?

Career Awareness is the first step in helping students and young adults understand the world of work, especially after high school. It means learning about the different types of jobs that exist, what those jobs are like, and what skills, education, or training are needed to do them.

Learn More

Overall, career awareness helps students start thinking about the classes they take, the activities they participate in, and the goals they set for after high school. It sets the foundation for future career exploration and planning.

Career Awareness enables students to understand the types of work in:

Different fields: For example, healthcare, technology, skilled trades, and education, not just the type of jobs they see every day.
Different environments: Like offices, construction sites, hospitals, and restaurants, and what is expected in those places as part of the job.

That’s not all, Career Awareness informs students about:

What they enjoy doing and what they’re good at. They can then start connecting their interests and strengths to careers that best align with them.
How skills such as math, science, reading, teamwork, and problem-solving help them navigate real-world jobs.

What are the Core Components of Career Awareness?

School and
Community Exposure

Students have access to both school and community-based learning experiences and opportunities.

Personalized Career
Alignment

Experiences are aligned to the student's preferences, interests, goals, strengths, and needs.

Learning Career
Foundations

Topics covered include, but are not limited to, potential career pathways, including their prerequisite training/education and skill requirements, roles and responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and drawbacks or challenges.

How Does Career Awareness Impact Outcomes Related to IEP Transition Goals?

Employment

Students who had early exposure to career exploration and work-based learning were more likely to be employed after high school.
Career exploration as a high-leverage practice, whereby students who understand job expectations are more motivated to build job-related soft skills.

Citation

National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS-2). (2005–2010)
Mazzotti et al. (2024)

Postsecondary Education

Students with career-aligned planning were more likely to pursue postsecondary education.
Students with disabilities who received career guidance in high school had higher postsecondary enrollment rates

Citation

Rowe et al. (2014 NLTS-2)
National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS-2). (2005–2010)

Independent Living

Career awareness helps students learn to express their preferences and make informed decisions about their future, which are critical skills for independent adult living.
career readiness skills—including time management and organization—are tied to independent living outcomes

Citation

Mazzotti, V. L., Rowe, D. A., Test, D. W., et al. (2021 & 2024)
Rowe, D. A., et al. (2014)

Opening Doors to Career Possibilities

Career awareness helps students explore different jobs, understand required skills, and connect their interests to future careers. It lays the foundation for informed decision-making, goal-setting, and developing skills needed for successful employment and independent living.

Who are the Key Partners in Career Awareness?

Family and Caregivers

Share insights about the student’s interests, strengths, and challenges, reinforce career awareness activities at home, and advocate for meaningful career exploration opportunities.

Special Education Teachers

Embed career awareness into transition planning and IEP goals.

General Education Teachers

Connect classroom learning to career applications.

Transition Coordinators

Lead efforts in career-related assessments, experiences, and partnerships.

School
Counselors

Provide career inventories, facilitate exploration activities, and connect students to postsecondary options.

Work-Based Learning Coordinators

Arrange job shadows, internships, and workplace tours.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Staff

Provide exposure to hands-on career pathways and skills training.

Administrators (Principals, LEA Rep)

Support integration of career awareness into school programming.

Community and Business Partners

Offer tours, job shadowing, informational interviews, and mentorship.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) – Provides Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), including career exploration and counseling.
Local Workforce Development Boards (WIOA Partners) – Help connect youth to career services and local labor market data.
Intermediate Unit (IU) Transition Consultants/TaC – Coach educators on embedding career awareness into IEPs and instruction.
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) – Promote self-determination and employment advocacy.
County Human Services (MH/ID, Children & Youth, etc.) – Collaborate on wraparound planning that includes career interests.

Community Colleges and Trade Schools – Offer campus tours and dual enrollment or introductory courses.
College and Career Access Programs – Such as Talent Search, GEAR UP, or local initiatives for underrepresented youth.

Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) – Provide resources and training to families on career development.
Disability Rights Organizations – Promote inclusive career pathways and ensure access to opportunities.

What are Some Key Resources for Career Awareness?