May 12, 2025
What does it take to prepare students not just for graduation but for future careers? The answer lies in building strong connections between what students learn in school and the skills they’ll need to succeed in the workforce. Across the country, innovative strategies are helping schools better engage students, align instruction with real-world needs, and create seamless transitions from education to employment.
In the following post, we spotlight three key resources that explore how work-based learning, early career exploration, and K–16 pathways are equipping students with the tools and experiences they need to thrive.
Bringing Real-World Relevance to Education
As employers increasingly adopt skills-based hiring practices, students must be able to demonstrate more than academic achievement—they need real-world experience. Work-based learning (WBL) has emerged as a powerful tool to meet this demand, connecting classroom instruction with hands-on opportunities that build critical skills.
WBL helps students develop career awareness, communication and problem-solving abilities, and a stronger sense of identity and purpose. Research confirms that students who participate in WBL are more likely to succeed in postsecondary education and enter the workforce with confidence.
Read more about how work-based learning can prepare students for the demands of today’s job market.
Supporting Career Exploration in Middle School
Career exploration doesn’t have to wait until high school. In fact, WestEd’s Thomas Torre Gibney says middle school is a critical time to begin helping students discover their interests and aspirations. During these formative years, students are curious and open to new ideas, which presents an ideal moment to introduce them to potential career paths and the skills required to pursue them.
By integrating career exploration into middle school instruction, educators can foster self-awareness, build motivation, and encourage students to begin thinking about their future goals. Early exposure to career concepts not only strengthens engagement but also lays the groundwork for meaningful choices in high school and beyond.
Read more about why early career exploration is essential to student success.
Smoothing the Transition From School to Career
Too often, students encounter fragmented systems that make it challenging to move smoothly from high school to college to a career. K–16 pathways aim to change that by aligning academic programs with labor market demands and ensuring students gain the experiences and credentials they need along the way.
WestEd’s recent blog outlines five foundational strategies for designing effective K–16 pathways. When done well, K–16 pathways create a coherent journey that empowers students to pursue their goals, pivot when necessary, and graduate with both academic and career readiness.
Equipping Students for Future Success With WestEd
At WestEd, our Economic Mobility, Postsecondary, and Workforce Systems team partners with education and industry leaders to design learner-centered, evidence-based strategies that strengthen the links between school and career—supporting students in achieving their education, career, and life goals while advancing equitable economic mobility.
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