What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

We continue to ask children this question, but what can we do to prepare them?

As students enter my classroom, I find some have already limited their career aspirations. This may have stemmed from inaccurate information or sex-stereotyped views of a career. Students enter the classroom believing their struggle in or dislike of math and/or science has already eliminated career choices.

This week while working with elementary students in an after school program, I explained how they would be the ones going to Mars. Excitedly the students wanted to know what they had to do. When I explained they needed to study math and science, many responded negatively thinking going to Mars was not an option for them because they didn’t like math.

It is important I open students’ minds and provide positive experiences; I want them to realize they have the potential to be anything. In teaching Earth science at a junior high, I connect the content they are learning to present and possibly future careers—through discussions, online searches, surveys, readings, speakers, and real-world experiences.

It is important for my students to discover the diversity in the many career fields. When I capture a student showing a high interest in an area of science we are studying, I help the student recognize this curiosity by providing other experiences. For the student who doesn’t want to come out of the star lab, I connect them to our local astronomer and our area planetarium.  For the student who doesn’t want to leave the rock site, I connect them to our local paleontologist who has donated a triceratops to the district.

I also encourage my students to visit a high school that offers an area of their interest.  The high schools in my district each offer a different 21st century program such as Aerospace and Engineering, Biotechnology/Life Sciences, e-Communication, Geosciences, or Sports Medicine and Athletic Training.  Students are able to transfer to the high school that is offering a program in their interest area.

I also enjoy sharing with my students that they may be preparing for a job which doesn’t yet exist. The future is theirs to decide.