Planning for the Future

Choosing a future career can feel overwhelming for students. With so many options and pathways available, it’s not always easy to know where to start. That’s why career assessments are such an important part of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and STEM classrooms. These tools help students learn more about themselves while exploring high-wage, high-demand career opportunities in our region and beyond.

Career assessments are not tests that students “pass” or “fail.” Instead, they act like mirrors. They help students understand their strengths, interests, work styles, and values. By recognizing what motivates them and what skills they already have, students can begin to see how those qualities align with real career pathways.

In our district, students use Xello, an engaging online career readiness platform, to complete interest inventories, personality profiles, and career explorations. Xello guides students through activities that help them reflect on what they enjoy and what types of learning and working environments fit them best. These assessments are developmentally appropriate and begin as early as elementary school, continuing through middle and high school, growing more detailed as students mature. This early exposure allows career development to build naturally over time rather than happening all at once in high school.

In CTE and STEM classrooms, teachers take the results of these assessments and help students connect them to hands-on learning experiences. For example, a student who enjoys creative problem-solving may explore robotics or digital design. A student who values teamwork and helping others might look into healthcare or emergency services. Career assessments make learning feel purposeful because students see how today’s skills link to tomorrow’s opportunities.

These tools also support conversations with families and industry partners. When students can explain why they’re interested in a particular field, it opens the door to job shadowing, apprenticeships, and aligned coursework in high school. It strengthens the bridge between school and the workforce.

As we continue celebrating National Career Development Month, we recognize that planning for the future is a journey, not a single choice made in one moment. Career assessments help students build confidence in who they are and who they hope to become. When paired with CTE and STEM pathways, they empower students to choose careers that are meaningful, fulfilling, and aligned with their strengths.

Because when students better understand themselves, they are better prepared to shape their futures.