This stage is about students discovering and learning about the many academic and career opportunities available based on a foundational awareness and understanding of interests, skills, values, and strengths. This exploration stage will help students narrow down the options to further explore pathways that fit them best, so that they may begin planning a course of action.
Career Exploration (EXPLORE)
- Middle school career exploration activities and opportunities
- High school career exploration activities and opportunities
- World of work and labor market needs
- Understanding and comparing different postsecondary education and training
Students will complete the Matchmaker Assessment through Xello in seventh and again in ninth grade. They will use their results to learn about careers that match their interests, skills, values, and strengths.
All students will have the opportunity to participate in a career-based event in middle and high school. It is important for students to have opportunities to explore careers in various pathways. Students also have opportunities to choose pathways within the District that allow them to gain relevant work-experience. Connect with your child’s school counselor to learn more about various career-based learning opportunities available.
Our Workforce and Labor Market
It is important to have an understanding of the jobs available within our state and community in order to develop a realistic postsecondary plan. However, the labor market is constantly changing and it can be difficult to get an up-to-date snapshot of current and future employment projections. Through Xello, all students have access to labor market information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other local data sources, as well as projections from across the 16 career clusters that will help inform their ACP journey.
Manufacturing Employment Projections
As you can see from the graphic, while manufacturing at the national level shows
decline through the year 2020, projections for manufacturing in Wisconsin will be increasing by over 15,000 employees. This graphic helps us build relevant and in-demand programs, such as
Bay Link Manufacturing, which is available to any junior or senior interested in manufacturing across the District. To learn more about other District programs that have been developed from understanding our local and state labor market, please visit the
District Programs webpage. Students can set up a meeting with their school counselor to learn how to navigate this portion of Xello.