CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa  — Middle school students don't need to choose a career. They don't need to select a college. And they certainly don't need to have life after high school figured out.

But middle school is a great time to start exploring.

ICAN encourages families to think of the middle school years as a time for discovery—helping students learn more about themselves, the world of work and the many possibilities available in their future.

“Career planning in middle school isn't about asking a sixth grader to choose what they'll do for the rest of their life,” said Brittania Morey, Vice Marketing and Communications at ICAN. “It's about giving students enough exposure to possibilities that they can begin discovering what interests them.”

Explore Interests

Start with what students already enjoy.

What subjects catch their attention? What activities do they gravitate toward? Do they enjoy creating, helping people, solving problems, working with technology, building things, organizing or leading?

There isn't a right answer. The goal is simply to begin noticing patterns.

Discover the World of Careers

Students can only consider careers they know exist.

Middle school is an ideal time to explore broadly through career clusters, career assessments, conversations with adults, workplace experiences, career fairs and classroom activities.

Students may discover occupations they've never heard of—even within industries they already know.

Connect School With the Future

Career exploration can also answer one of students' favorite questions:

“When am I ever going to use this?”

Understanding how math, science, writing, communication, technology and other subjects connect to real careers can help students see school differently.

Build Skills That Matter Everywhere

Career readiness isn't only about choosing an occupation.

Middle school students can begin developing skills they'll use in almost any future pathway: communication, teamwork, problem-solving, responsibility, organization, adaptability and self-advocacy.

Learn That There Are Many Paths

Students should begin learning that different careers require different combinations of education, training and experience.

Four-year college is one pathway. So are community college, apprenticeships, career and technical education, specialized training, military service and other opportunities.

At this age, students don't need to choose among them. They simply need to know those possibilities exist.

Start Talking About Money

Middle school is also an appropriate time to begin basic conversations about money.

Budgeting, saving, needs versus wants, earning income and understanding that education and career choices have financial implications can create a foundation for more complex financial planning later.

“The goal at this age is curiosity,” Morey said. “We want students entering high school knowing more about themselves and more about what's possible than they knew before.”

ICAN provides career and college planning resources for middle school students and families, including tools that help students explore interests, careers and future pathways. Learn more at ICANsucceed.org/middle-school-grades-6-8.

About ICAN

ICAN is a nonprofit, educational organization. ICAN is the College Access Network for Iowa, and a member of the National College Access Network (NCAN). ICAN has locations in Ankeny, Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City, which provide programming and advising support to students and their families as they plan for education and training after high school. All ICAN programs and services are provided without charge. For more information about ICAN, call (877) 272-4692 or visit www.ICANsucceed.org.