The Career Development Experience Toolkit was created by Education Systems Center in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois State Board of Education. Both the Career Development Experience Toolkit guide and online resources adhere to the framework of the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) Act for College and Career Pathway Endorsements (CCPE). While these materials adhere to the CCPE Framework (Figure 1) for high school students, they are also meant to serve any organization that seeks to provide rigorous work-based learning opportunities to youth.
Check out ISBE’s Career Guide for students and counselors which offers an overview of programs of study along with other helpful career development information: FY22 Career Guide High School Edition and FY22 Career Guide Middle School Edition.
Successful careers happen when we prepare for them. There are several steps that help to make the process easy:
Career Awareness
Ask questions. Find out what the jobs are like of family members, relatives, and people in your church, community organization, or local clubs. Ask your teacher for help in finding basic information about different career areas. Go on field trips (Career Treks) when they are available.
Career Exploration
Use an online system available at your school and take a personal self-assessment to help you identify what career areas might be good areas for you to further explore. Online systems often have career videos and more detail about the working conditions, education requirements and projected job openings. Participating in a Field trip to Business & Industry can help give you hands-on exposure to different fields. If you like the experience, ask about signing up for electives at school in which you can learn more!
Career Planning
Narrow down your interest areas based on the results of your online self assessment and begin making an individualized career plan. Many clubs have opportunities for team competitions that help you develop skills needed in related career fields. There are even industry opportunities for science competitions for students who are serious about science related research. Collect more details on the requirements for career areas that interest you and find out more about what education you need to be successful. Education is the means to an end: a career in which you can be successful, that utilizes your talents, interests and skills.
Talk to your school counselor about how to find the post-secondary options that can prepare you for the career you find most appealing. Ask if there are Dual Credit courses available that can help you start earning college credit while still in high school. Inquire about Triton College courses that will apply to the career you want to pursue.
In some cases, it is even possible to start earning industry credentials while still in high school. Whatever your career goals are, take charge of shaping your future, starting now.
Free Online Career Development Resources
Illinois High School 2 Career
O*NET OnLine
Explore occupational knowledge and skill requirements to see how they match your interests and abilities.
Salary Tool
View national and state wage information for over 800 occupations.
Skills Profiler
Identify your skills and find occupations related to those skills.