Today’s episode is one that is near and dear to my heart. It’s all about career exploration and planning in the K-12 years. My guest today is Karin Smith. Karin is an Educational Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction specializing in Academic and Career Planning, Dual Enrollment, and Career Pathways. I wish every school district in America had a Karin leading their career planning efforts. The work that Karin and her team are doing is making an enormous difference in the lives of students, giving meaning and relevance to their learning. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or administrator, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
About Karin Smith
Building on her background working with both education and business partners, Karin Smith’s mission is to build a bridge between educators and employers in order to create a brighter future for youth and a stronger talent pipeline for businesses. She is living this mission as an Educational Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction specializing in Academic and Career Planning, Dual Enrollment, and Career Pathways.
Karin previously worked as the Milwaukee Regional Career Pathway Director through Wisconsin’s New Skills for Youth grant. She also has a strong background creating programs and leading initiatives related to her mission such as Lead to Succeed, My Life! My Plan! and Inspire Southeast Wisconsin.
Episode Highlights
- Career exploration is growing in public schools
- Parents can be powerful advocates for career exploration and development
- Wisconsin’s academic and career planning process (ACP)
- Know, explore, plan, and go
- Career exploration activities begin in 6th grade in Wisconsin
- Students develop a career pathway through high school
- Lots of professional development and support for schools
- Wisconsin state budget allocation for academic and career planning so no cost to the district
- Federal Perkins funding is available in every state for career pathway programs
- Tracking students’ career planning through and beyond high school
- Connecting in-demand regional employers with students through career pathways
- Job shadowing is an important part of career exploration
- Wisconsin’s career pathways map
- Career readiness is a team effort at the regional, district, and school levels
- Breaking down silos brings learning to life
- Giving learning meaning and relevance
- Advice for school districts who want to get started
- What do we want students to know, do, and understand when they graduate?
- Advice for parents to help their children explore careers
- Karin’s advice for her high school self