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Support Students with Career-Learning Resources

Educators and counselors play a critical role in helping students explore careers, identify a career plan, and build the skills they will need for future success. We know you can’t do it alone! The resources in this section are designed to support the critical career-learning work you do in the classroom.

Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources Pathway

Careers in production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and development of agricultural commodities

Information Solutions

Careers in arts, audio, video, technology, communication, and information technology

Applied Sciences, Technology, Engineering, & Manufacturing

Careers in architecture, construction, manufacturing, STEM, and transportation

Health Sciences

Careers in therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research

Human Services

Careers in education, human services, hospitality and tourism, government and public administration, law, public safety, corrections, and security

Business, Finance, Marketing, & Administration

Careers in business management and administration, finance, and marketing

Explore Career Pathways

All careers are organized into six career clusters that are then broken down into 16 career pathways. To assist students in their career search,  have them consider their interests in the first six categories and then dig deeper into the various careers that are a part of that category. Students can consider which careers are in high demand,  how much education they will need, and what their likely paycheck will be. Students should also consider their skills and what they enjoy doing.

 

Once students have a few career pathways that interest them, it’s time to explore how they can build their knowledge and skills in that pathway through job shadows, internships, in-school courses, and outside-of-school programs and camps.

Explore Career Pathways

Set Your Grade-Level Goals

What types of experiences and information should a student have in order to make the most informed decision about college and career planning? This framework, developed in Illinois, provides a set of standards by grade that can help educators, schools, and districts connect and align their career exploration curriculum.

8th Grade

By the end of 8th Grade, a student should be supported to:

Financial Aid and Literacy:

  • Be exposed to a financial literacy unit in a course or workshop


Career Exploration and Development:

  • Take a career interest assessment
  • Develop an Education Plan related to one or more pathways
  • Virtual exploration of a career
  • High School 101: focus on path-ways, concurrent, AP, electives, CTE focus
  • Identify, define, and share the PS requirements of a career
  • Learn about HS course offerings
  • Complete 4-year HS plan to reflect ICAP


Post-Secondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection:

  • Review plans of study
  • Make a tentative choice about plan after HS

By the end of 8th Grade, a student should know:

Career Exploration and Development:

  • The concept of career clusters for further exploration
  • Possible career clusters of interest
  • Relationship between community service/extracurricular activities and PS/career goals

9th Grade

By the end of 9th Grade, a student should be supported to:

Career Exploration and Development:

  • Take, retake, or review a career interest assessment
  • Explore career paths as identified by assessments and choose a career to save as a favorite in their e-portfolio
  • Participate in High Impact Activities available to Freshmen
  • Update 4-year HS plan and register for courses that reflect ICAP


Post-Secondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection:

  • Review and/or update Education Plan
  • Review options after HS
  • Participate in virtual tours of college or training center

 

By the end of 9th Grade, a student should know:

Financial Aid and Literacy:

  • General cost ranges of various PS options

 

Career Exploration and Development:

  • One or two career clusters for further exploration and development

 

Post-Secondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection:

  • The relationship between HS coursework, attendance, and grades to PS plans
  • Importance of community service and extracurricular activities to PS and career plans

10th Grade

By the end of 10th Grade, a student should be supported to:

Career Exploration and Development:

  • Take, retake, or review a career interest assessment
  • Take the PreACT
  • Determine skill/knowledge areas that need improvement
  • Identify new career pathways or occupations of interest
  • Select a favorite career option
  • Set goals for High Impact Strategies: Career, STEM, Trades fairs; Career Speakers; Business Tours; Volunteering
  • Participate in High Impact Activities
  • Make a tentative decision about a pathway to follow in HS


Post-Secondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection:

  • Review and/or update Education Plan
  • Identify post-secondary options
  • Review transcripts, update 4-year HS plan and register for courses to reflect ICAP

 

By the end of 10th Grade, a student should know:

Career Exploration and Development:

  • Educational requirements, cost, expected entry level, and midpoint salary for occupations in selected CP

 

Post-Secondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection:

  • Different types of PS credentials and institutions
  • General timing of PS entrance exams and apps
  • Benefit of early college credit opportunities to PS access and completion

11th Grade

By the end of 11th Grade, a student should be supported to:

Career Exploration and Development:

  • Retake a career interest assessment
  • Complete a work values assessment
  • Identify the top three work values and reflect on their relevance
  • Identify and reflect on new and past saved careers based on work values
  • Participate in High Impact Activities
  • Reflect and set goals for High Impact Activities


Post-Secondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection:

  • Take the ACT
  • Review and/or update Education Plan
  • Identify potential PS educational options
  • Review transcript
  • Update 4-year HS and PS plan to reflect ICAP
  • Complete resume, letters of application, and references

 

By the end of 11th Grade, a student should know:

Financial Aid and Literacy:

  • Financial aid deadlines for chosen PS options

 

Career Exploration and Development:

  • App deadlines, test timing, cost and prep for industry-based certification for CP
  • Career attributes related to career interests

 

Post-Secondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection:

  • Entrance requirements, including app deadlines, for expected PS programs of study

12th Grade

By the end of 12th Grade, a student should be supported to:

Financial Aid and Literacy:

  • Completed the FAFSA

Career Exploration and Development:

  • Take the National Career
  • Retake any assessments if desired
  • Obtain an internship opportunity related to CP
  • Complete reflection and goal setting for High Impact Strategies
  • Participate in High Impact Events


Post-Secondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection:

  • Review and/or update Education Plan
  • Review transcript and PS plan
  • Complete e-portfolio with guidance for job and college tools:
    • ICA presentation
    • FAFSA completion
    • Scholarships
    • Resume, cover letter, references
  • Have met with a school counselor to ensure all steps in the PS admission process are completed on time
  • Completed 3 or more admission applications to PS institutions

 

By the end of 12th Grade, a student should know:

Financial Aid and Literacy:

  • Estimated cost of each PS option
  • Affordability of PS options in relation to expected entry-level career salary and anticipated debt
  • Terms and conditions of any scholarship or loan

 

Post-Secondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection:

  • How CP courses and experiences articulate to degree programs at PS options

Know Our High-Demand Careers

While we want every student to find their passion, we also want to make sure they know which careers are in high-demand in our region. Students who pursue these pathways and develop the required skills are likely to have job opportunities right here in Iowa City-Cedar Rapids (ICR).

CAREER* EDUCATION SALARY* IOWA CORE
Agricultural Engineer Bachelor’s Degree $49,000 Career Pathway →
Diesel Mechanic Associate’s Degree $40,000 Career Pathway →
Plumber High School Diploma $50,000 Career Pathway →
Farm Machinery Operator Certificate $35,000 Career Pathway →
Computer Software Developer Associate’s Degree $88,000 Career Pathway →
Health Info Technician Associate’s Degree $40,000 Career Pathway →
Financial Manager Bachelor’s Degree $102,000 Career Pathway →
Marketing Manager Bachelor’s Degree $94,000 Career Pathway →
Registered Nurse Bachelor’s Degree $60,000 Career Pathway →
Computer Research Scientist Master’s Degree $93,000 Career Pathway →

*Information provided by Emsi National data and Kirkwood Community College Regional Talent Forecast Data

Discover Classroom Resources

Explore the wealth of resources available to help your students achieve their educational and career goals through these local organizations.

Grant Wood AEA

Grant Wood AEA Media Center provides quality service and materials to support success for all learners. Resources include assistive technology; boxed, multiples, and leveled reading books; DVDs; professional journals; and access to a collection of 27 online resources.  Visit Site →

Marion Community Promise

Community Promise connects kids with real careers through their Career Explore Program.  Visit Site →

iJAG

Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) is a nonprofit organization that assists students with multiple barriers to graduate from high school and/or successfully transition from high school to continued education and careers.  Visit Site →

StairWay5

StairWay5 provides computer coding/programming, robotics, and engineering acceleration courses for youth, as well as summer camps and after-school STEM enrichment programs in the Iowa City area for elementary and junior high students.  Visit Site →

NewBoCo

New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo) is a nonprofit organization focused on ensuring that Iowa is known around the world for making big things happen. Visit Site →

Workplace Learning Connection

WLC has developed age-appropriate programs to show younger students the relevance of classroom activities as they relate to the world of work.  Visit Site →

Iowa STEM Council

STEM is a vital economic development advantage for quality job growth in Iowa, as STEM graduates are in great demand to meet current and future workforce needs. Created with the goal of increasing STEM interest and achievement, the Iowa STEM Council is a collaboration of bipartisan Iowa legislators, educators, business, nonprofits, students, and families focused on improving STEM opportunities and awareness in Iowa.  Visit Site →

Ignite My Future in School

Ignite My Future in School is a comprehensive set of resources seamlessly integrating the principles of computational thinking across the curriculum and at home to give students the 21st century skills they need for future success.  Visit Site →

Junior Achievement

Inspiring and preparing young people to succeed, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa helps prepare today’s students for a bright future.  Visit Site →

Career Pathway Guide Templates (PDFs)

Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources →

Architecture & Construction →

Arts, Audio/Video Technology, & Communications →

Business, Management, & Administration →

Education & Training →

Finance →

Government & Public Administration →

Health Science →

Hospitality & Tourism →

Human Services →

Information Technology →

Law, Public Safety, Corrections, & Security →

Manufacturing →

Marketing →

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math →

Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics →

Future Ready Iowa

Future Ready Iowa is a statewide initiative signed in by Executive Order that brings students, educators, and professionals together to foster work-based learning experiences that will jumpstart the next generation of the workforce by exposing them to different kinds of careers. Visit Site →

ICR Industries Portal

ICR Industry Sector Boards are business-led coalitions that develop, implement, and evaluate strategies to meet the workforce needs of a specific industry. These boards work hand-in-hand with regional organizations to help students explore their career interests and connect with career opportunities right here in ICR Iowa.

ICR sector boards have developed industry specific web-sites and a shared landing page to help students and job seekers complete a career interest assessment and navigate occupations across multiple industries that align with their personality type and natural skills and interests. Check out this resource at https://explore-careers.org.

Enhance Your Practice with Professional Development and Leadership

High-quality teaching and counseling are vital for student success. Explore elements of effective professional development and leadership critical for growing and supporting your career.

Through Ignite My Future, TCS and Discovery Education are partnering to ignite action on the critical role computational thinking plays in 21st century classrooms by empowering educators with world-class transdisciplinary learning resources.

 

LEARN MORE →

The Iowa STEM Council offers many professional development opportunities, including through programs such as STEM Scale Up, STEM BEST, and Iowa STEM teacher externships.

 

LEARN MORE →

New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo) is a nonprofit organization focused on ensuring that Iowa is known around the world for making big things happen.

 

LEARN MORE →

Equipping teachers with knowledge and hands on experience allows for a classroom curriculum best aligned with the employer needs. The Marion Community Promise provides resources to empower teachers to be more knowledgeable in the classroom as they influence the career pathways of our future workforce.

 

LEARN MORE →

Grant Wood Area Education Agency offers opportunities for professional learning to enhance professional skills and practices to improve student learning. These include a variety of courses for credit, workshops that offer the latest evidence-based professional learning for educators, parents and community partners, and paraeducator and substitute authorization training programs.

 

LEARN MORE →

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