Workforce Development Digest

Navigating the world of work can be daunting, even for adults! As parents, you have the power to guide your child's journey and instill confidence in their abilities. This section is designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge to have meaningful conversations about career paths with your children, no matter their age. We will provide age-appropriate tips, resources, and expert advice to help you support their exploration and decision-making.

Whether your child dreams of becoming a doctor, an artist, an entrepreneur, or a skilled tradesperson, we'll help you nurture their passions and prepare them for success.

K-5th Grade: Spark Curiosity

It is never too early to start thinking about careers! Even in elementary school, you can spark your child's curiosity about the world of work and help them develop a sense of possibility.

• Career Dress-Up Days: Encourage your child to dress up as their dream job and discuss why they chose it.

• Community Exploration: Visit fire stations, libraries, construction sites and businesses, hospitals, and other workplaces to expose them to different careers.

• Read Career-Themed Books: Explore children's books that introduce various professions.

• "What Do You Want to Be?" Game: Regularly ask your child what they want to be when they grow up and discuss the skills and education needed.

6th-8th Grade: Explore Options

Did you know that by 2030, 67% of the jobs in Texas will require more than a high school diploma to achieve earnings greater than $40,000? Now is the perfect time to have early career discussions with your child!

As your child enters middle school, they begin to develop a stronger sense of self and their interests. This is the perfect time to help them explore different career options and discover their passions. 5th-8th grade students are the primary audience for many career readiness conversations, opening their eyes to the world around them and the endless opportunities.

• Interest Inventories: Help your child identify their interests and strengths through online assessments or activities. Dallas College offers a Career Coach website for you and your student to explore options that may best fit their interests.

• Career Fairs: Attend career fairs together to learn about different career paths.

• Shadow a Professional: Arrange for your child to shadow someone in a field they find interesting.

• Discuss Different Pathways: Talk with your child about various options like college, trade schools, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship.

9th-12th Grade: Plan for the Future

High school is a critical time for career planning. Help your child make informed decisions about their future by providing them with the resources and support they need.

• Workplace Explorations: Go beyond the classroom and experience different work environments firsthand! Visit local businesses and organizations related to your career interests to see what a "day in the life" is really like.

• Work-Based Learning: Encourage your child to participate in internship programs such as the Dallas ISD Internship Program, job shadowing, and other work-based learning opportunities.

• Resume and Interview Prep: Help your child develop essential skills like resume writing and interviewing. View YouTube videos to help students understand more about resume writing and interviewing:

• 1-Minute Elevator Pitch

• Indeed: Top Interview Tips

• Job Interview Tips for Teens

• First Resume Tips

• Stephen F. Austin University, Professional Dress Tips

• Financial Literacy: Discuss budgeting, saving, and the costs associated with different career paths. Introduce how salaries work within the workforce and explore these within career paths.

Support for All Ages:

• Visit the Dallas ISD Workforce Development Website

• Contact Your Child's School Counselor: They can provide personalized guidance and support.

Did you know that Dallas ISD offers incredible opportunities to gain real-world work experience while you're still in high school?

This section is all about YOU, Dallas ISD students! We want you to know about the amazing opportunities available right here in your district to gain real-world experience and jumpstart your career journey.

Work-based learning is more than just a job; it's a chance to explore your passions, develop valuable skills, and build a strong foundation for your future. Whether you are interested in healthcare, technology, business, or the arts, we have programs to help you gain hands-on experience and connect with industry professionals.

• Internships: Get paid to work with top companies in Dallas through the Dallas ISD Internship Program! Listen to the Elevated Engagement Podcast episode about the Dallas ISD Internship Program to learn more, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

• Job Shadowing: Reach out to local businesses and corporations to see if there are opportunities to job shadow. Spend a day with a professional in your field of interest.

• Mentorship: Connect with industry experts who can provide guidance and support.

These experiences help you:

• Develop valuable skills: Learn teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and more.

• Explore career paths: Discover what you love (and what you don't!)

• Build your resume: Gain a competitive edge for college applications and future job searches.

We believe that every teacher, no matter the subject, can contribute to preparing students for the workforce. This section is your guide to incorporating career readiness into your classroom in engaging and effective ways.

We will provide practical tips, resources, and strategies to help you connect classroom learning to real-world applications, introduce students to various career paths, and equip them with the essential skills they need to succeed.

• Connect Learning to Careers: Show students how the concepts they are learning apply to real-world jobs.

• Math: When teaching about percentages, have students calculate sales tax, discounts, and interest rates on purchases, simulating real-life budgeting and financial planning.

• Science: While studying ecosystems, connect the concept of food webs to careers in environmental science, wildlife management, or agriculture.

• English: Have students write cover letters and resume for characters from a novel they are reading, analyzing the characters' skills and experiences.

• Social Studies: When discussing historical events, explore the careers of those involved (journalists, politicians, activists) and how their skills impacted their roles.

• Art: Connect different art styles to careers in graphic design, animation, fashion, or architecture.

• Incorporate Work Ready Academy Modules: These modules cover essential skills like resume writing, interviewing, and financial literacy.

• Advisory Period: Dedicate time during advisory periods for students to complete Work Ready Academy modules on topics like goal setting, time management, or workplace etiquette.

• Classroom Integration: Incorporate a module on communication skills into an English class or a financial literacy module into a math lesson.

• College and Career Readiness Courses: Use the modules as core curriculum components for courses focused on preparing students for life after high school.

• Invite Guest Speakers: Bring in professionals to share their career journeys and industry insights.

• Career Day: Organize a career day and invite professionals from various fields to speak to students about their jobs.

• Classroom Visits: Invite a local business owner, engineer, or healthcare worker to share their career journey and answer student questions.

• Virtual Presentations: Connect with professionals from different industries through virtual platforms to expose students to a wider range of careers.

• Project-Based Learning: Engage students in projects that simulate real-world work tasks.

• Marketing Campaign: Have students develop a marketing campaign for a local business, including market research, design, and presentation elements.

• Mock Trial: Conduct a mock trial in a social studies or government class, allowing students to experience roles like lawyers, witnesses, and jurors.

• Engineering Challenge: Present students with a real-world engineering problem, such as designing a bridge or creating a sustainable energy solution.

• Engineering Challenge from Pepsi: Have students separate two different size balls which represent large potato chips and small potato chips so that the large chips go into one 'bag' and small chips go into another 'bag'. The bag can be red solo cups, and students can be given popsicle sticks.

• Career Exploration Activities: Use online resources, games, and activities to help students explore different career paths.

• WorkReady Academy: is our signature career readiness platform for students to gain essential workplace learning. The modules cover a wide range of topics, including resume writing, interview preparation, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and professional communication. These sessions equip students with essential life skills and empower them to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace with confidence and competence.

• Online Career Assessments: Utilize online tools like career interest inventories and skills assessments to help students identify potential career paths.

• Career Simulation Games: Engage students in interactive games that simulate different work environments and allow them to explore various roles.

• Informational Interviews: Have students conduct informational interviews with professionals in their fields of interest to learn firsthand about different careers.

Resources:

• Work Ready Programs Webpage

North Texas Next magazine offers a guide to life after graduation, with resources specifically for educators on page 80. Below are some of the awesome activities and resources you can access. Read the digital magazine here.

• When I Grow Up - Career Lessons & Activities
• Texas Reality Check
• Navigate: Exploring College and Careers
• Future Aviation & Aerospace Workforce

Knowledge is power! In this section, we will share data and statistics that highlight the importance of Workforce Development and the incredible achievements of Dallas ISD students.

We want to keep you informed about the latest trends in the workforce, the value of different career paths, and the resources available to support your child's success.

• Half of Dallas ISD graduates go directly into the workforce post-graduation to begin very successful careers.

• The Dallas-Fort Worth area has the 4th largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the U.S., offering a wealth of career opportunities for our graduates.