Career Ready PA
Pennsylvania's economic future depends on having a well-educated and skilled workforce that is prepared to meet the current and projected demands of a global, knowledge-based 21st century economy. Learners across the state will be prepared for meaningful engagement in postsecondary education, in workforce training, in career pathways, and as responsible, involved citizens.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Middle & Elementary School
Students in grades K-8 receive career exploration kits to introduce them to careers in STEM and various other fields. By exposing students to career exploration early on, we aim to nurture their passions and creativity, fostering a career-oriented mindset from a young age. Additionally, students will engage with Smart Futures, an interactive platform that helps them explore their identities, future aspirations, and pathways to achieve their goals, all aligned with Pennsylvania's career standards.
High School
Students in grades 9-12 are placed in a Career Readiness course where they learn useful skills like preparing for a job interview, building a resume, financial planning, and exploring careers tied to their unique interests and skills. Through a partnership with Smart Futures, our students build their personal career portfolio to showcase their accomplishments and their personal brand.
- Identifying strengths
- Goal setting
- Building soft skills
- Exploring career interests
- Writing a resume
- Preparing for interviews
- Planning a path
- Exploring career clusters
- Setting clear career goals
- Enhancing a resume
- Post-secondary planning
- Financial planning
- Post-secondary prep
- Entrepreneurship
- Establishing a personal brand
