Are you looking at college or university options?

Big Future College Search is a college search web site. 

The ″Search for Schools″ Tool has a database that has information about 3000+ post-secondary institutions.

The ″Search for Schools″ Tool covers the following areas –

• Location of School
• Type of School
• Campus and Housing
• Majors Areas of Study
• Sports & Activities
• Applying
• Academic Credit
• Paying
• Support Services
• Diversity
• Name of School

Location covers the following areas –

• Miles from home
• State
• Region

The Regional part narrows the schools according to geographic regions –

• New England
• Mid-Atlantic
• Midwest
• South
• Southwest
• West
• U.S. Territories
• Outside US

The States section allows you to select a college from a specific state.

The Type of School programs include –

• 2 Year
• 4 Year
• Public
• Private
• School Size
• Single-sex or Coed
• Religious Affiliation

Campus & Housing cover the following factors –

• Setting – Rural, Suburban, or Urban
• Residential or Commuter Campus
• Housing Availability
• Special Housing Options
• Cars for Freshmen

The Major Areas of Study covers Majors, Study Options, and Extended Class Availability.

Examples of college majors  are –

• Agriculture
• Architecture
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Business, Management, and Marketing
• Communication and Journalism
• Communication Technology
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Construction Trades
• Education
• Engineering
• Engineering Technologies
• English Language and Literature
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Foreign Languages
• Health and Clinical Sciences
• History
• Legal Professions
• Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Library Science
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Mechanics and Repair
• Military Technologies
• Multidisciplinary Studies
• Natural Resources and Conservation
• Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
• Personal and Culinary Services

Sports & Activities discusses Sports, Social Activities, and Greek Life.

Applying section lists Selectivity and Test Scores factors.

Academic Credit lists details in AP, CLEP, GED, and Transfer Credit information.

Paying allows you to look at the college costs –

• Average Net Price
• % of Financial Need a School Can Meet
• Tuition & Fees
• Work Study Programs
• International Student Financial Aid Availability

Support Services involves Campus and Disability Services.

Diversity covers the Percentage of Minority Students and Specialized Mission.

Find the Right College Summary Sheet

Use the Big Future College Search web site to complete the Find the Right Training Program/ College Major Summary Sheet.

• Write the Name of the College.
• Then write the factors that interests you –
  • Location of School
  • Type of School
  • Campus and Housing
  • Majors Areas of Study
  • Sports & Activities
  • Applying
  • Academic Credit
  • Paying
  • Support Services
  • Diversity
  • Name of School

Download our Find the Right Training Program/ College Major Activity Sheet!!!

Step One: O’NET, The Occupational Information Network

After completing a Holland Codes or RIASEC career test, match your interests to potential careers using the ONET.

The O’NET web address is – http://online.onetcenter.org.  The Occupational Information Network provides the following information –

• Occupational profiles
• Labor market information
• Links to the dot classification systems
• Location of 1,100 occupations using skill requirements or key words
• Worker Characteristics and Requirements
• Experience Requirements
• Occupation Requirements, Specifics and Characteristics

 Use the Occupational Outlook Handbook and the O’NET, The Occupational Information Network to gather information about potential careers.

Here is a great ONet and Interests tool – http://www.onetonline.org/find/descriptor/browse/Interests/  Links to an external site.

Here are careers based upon RIASEC/ Holland Codes:

Realistic Careers. — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Investigative Careers. — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Artistic Careers. — Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Social Careers. — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Enterprising Careers. — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Conventional Careers. — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Download our Activity Sheet for Career Exploration!!!

Self-Directed Search (SDS), premier RIASEC test is on sale!

The Self-Directed Search (SDS) is one of the most widely used career assessment tools in the world.

Find careers that match your interests, personalities, values and preferred work environments.

SDS is used by:

• Students (middle school through college)
• Career changers
• Job seekers
• Adults returning to the workforce
• Career counselors and coaches

Self-Directed Search (SDS)is on sale for $9!!!

Go to https://www.careerplans4all.com/sds

Holland Career Model is the basis for the SDS. 

There are six Holland types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.

People are more comfortable when they are in a compatible  work environment.

Using a code, the  Self-Directed Search matches interests and abilities to a list of  careers and college majors.

The SDS has been used by over 22 million people worldwide. 

Read more about the Self Directed Search in our Career Test Bundle !!!!

Which test should you buy?

• If you are a high school student, you might be exploring future paths.

• A college student may be refining their interests.

• You could be a parent guiding your child or a professional contemplating a career shift.

• You might also be a teacher, counselor, or advisor who guides others looking at future careers.

• Our tools are designed to help you gain valuable insights.

Careerplans4all.com provides the Find Your Future Career Match survey. The survey helps you to decide the right online career assessments or guidance system.

The tool can illuminate your career path. The tool can sharpen your interests and refine your skills.

• If you are a high school student, you might be exploring future paths.

• A college student may be refining their interests.

• You could be a parent guiding your child or a professional contemplating a career shift.

• You might also be a teacher, counselor, or advisor who guides others looking at future careers.

• Our tools are designed to help you gain valuable insights.

Careerplans4all.com is committed to providing you with the right career tool.

Take our Find Your Future Career Match — 2 Minute Quiz

Our table highlights the key features!

To review and get more information, here are links to our career test information pages:

• Personality career test for college students and adults: Myers Briggs Type Indicator career test (MBTI)
• Career test for Elementary students or Reading Impaired: Picture Interest Survey
• RIASEC career tests for high school students, college students and adults: RIASEC Inventory and Strong Interest Inventory
• Transferable skills career test for high school students, college students and adults: Transferable Skills Scale

If you need help choosing the right career test, the Explore Careers and College Majors is an excellent choice. It offers comprehensive guidance to help you make an informed decision! The Career Guidance System covers personality, interests, skills and values connecting the results to careers, college majors and training programs.

New Products

Our new products include –

• Career Test Bundle
• Career Test Drive
• Explore Careers, Majors and Trades
• iStart Strong
• Kid Career Test System
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
• Self Directed Search
• Transferable Skills Scale
• Unlock Your Potential (Career Development) Course 101
• And all of our career tests

Vote for your favorite product or resource!

Earn 10% off of your next careerplans4all.com web site purchase !

Plus enter into drawing for Unlock Your Potential !!!

We seek to understand the inheritance that we have received – our God-given gifts, abilities, skills and interests.

We investigate to discover the right productive educational, learning and working environments.

We seek to develop competencies and abilities.

We develop problem solving and goal setting skills.

We hunt to understand the process that we will help us successfully gain knowledge.

We will use effective learning techniques to build and plan successful career choices.

We need strategies to achieve our goals.

Visit https://www.careerplans4all.com/

Are you ready to unlock your potential?  Inside of you, there is creative energy. You have core strengths that will motivate and inspire you. These will help you reach your goals and dreams. 

• Learn the steps to recognize your passions, motivations, and interests. 
• Connect your core strengths to careers. 
• Get strategies to implement plans and goals.

Tap into your core strengths that motivate you!

Fulfill your destiny, purpose, calling, or occupation.  Build strategies to reach your goals.  Prepare for the journey.

To help you focus on achieving your goals –

• Read Motivational and Inspirational Principles.
• Look over the Motivational and Inspirational Career Keys.
• Download the Motivational and Inspirational Guide.
• Sign up for career. motivational, inspirational, and social media tweets (Links to an external site.) on Twitter.

Step One is Awareness, Knowledge, and Assessment.  Learning about yourself is the first key to discovering your destiny.  Find your inner passions, motivations and interests.

• Take the core strength inventory.
• Focus on your core strength areas – interests, abilities, skills, and values.
• Discover activities that excite or motivate you. 

Having the right assessment tools is essential for your success.

Careerplans4all.com has the next types of career tests –

• Myers Briggs Personality career test
• Career test for students
• RIASEC test
• Strong Interest Inventory
• Transferable Skills test

Release your inspirational dreams and visions build momentum to reach your goals.

Connect core strengths to future careers or business ideas.

Gain insight about the different career opportunities that are available.  You will have access to a wealth of resources that will help you make the right choices –

• Evaluate your inventory and to create a strategy to fulfill your goals
• Investigative the different career opportunities
• Narrow career options

We offer guidance to help you make your way through the maze of making decisions.  We offer access to career exploration tools  that give information about careers –

• Overview
• Skills
• Values
• Outlook
• Earning
• Interest Profile
• Working Conditions
• Contact Info
• Areas of Study

Use our library of training resources to sort through the different training or school opportunities.

• Look at training programs
• Narrow down your options
• Create a plan to achieve your goals and dreams

Judge training opportunities based on the next criteria –

• Location of School
• Majors Areas of Study
• Name of School
• Size and Cost
• Region in the USA
• Type of School

Implement your plan.

Test your options and put your plan into action.

• Use the keys that you have learned to unlock doors of opportunity.
• Build powerful connections with networking and social media tools to lock into your purpose.
• Conducting information interview.
• Completing career shadowing.
• Executing a job search strategies.
• Writing resume.
• Practicing interview techniques.
• Participating in internship / volunteer experience.

Learn more at careerplans4all.com!!!

Unlock your purpose and potential. Open your mind to new possibilities and opportunities. Take off the limitations. Move past the mistakes and delays of the past! Stop looking backwards! Look future to a bright new future! Your next step is within your grasp! Stop holding yourself back! Move ahead with excitement! bit.ly/4eoiR2t

The RIASEC Career Game introduces you to the RIASEC Career Model.

The RIASEC Career Game is simple paper/pencil self-scoring career awareness tool for children that use discover RIASEC Codes.

To complete the RIASEC Career Game –

• Download the Exploring Rainbow Careers Game.pdf file.
• Look at the pictures. 
• Circle the picture of the job that you like. 
• Count the circles in each row. 
• Write the number of the circles at the end of the row.

This will give you awareness of the the RIASEC Codes system.

Then, download the Color Key that lists careers according to RIASEC and color codes.

Go to our web page to finish the form and get the RIASEC Game and Color Key!

Ready for the Next STEP!!!

Order one of our tested kid tools –

• PIC Interest Survey
• My Rainbow Career Finder – The automated poster scoring system. It automatically produces the three letter Holland (RIASEC) Code based on the selection provided by the children. Upon completion of the report, you will receive reports.
• My Rainbow Career Finder System – The automated poster scoring system automatically generates the three letter Holland (RIASEC) Code. It does this based on the selection that the children provide. Upon completion of the report, you will receive reports. The Unlock Your Treasure Chest Facilitator’s Training Manual with Web Site Resource Guide is included.

Kid career test resources were designed to help children learn different things about themselves and careers. The Kid career test resources include :

• Web-based course
• PIC Survey or Rainbow Career Finder
• 77 page facilitator’s Training Manual – Unlock Treasure Chest Training Manual

The Unlock Your Treasure Chest for Children. Guide to Career Exploration is used along with the Picture Interest Career Survey and the My Rainbow Career Finder.

The Unlock Your Treasure Chest for Children. Guide to Exploration has 3 sections:

• Guide to Exploring Careers – Internet Resources for Teachers, Counselors, Parents, Adults, Kids and Children
• Visual Aids or Screenshots from the Unlock the Treasure Chest Guidebook

The Guide to Exploring Careers is designed for students and children. It serves as a manual that guides them through the steps of exploring careers. The topics included in the Guide are:

• Learning about Yourself
• Find the Secret Code
• Understand the Secret Code – The Holland/ RIASEC Code
• Find Your Future Career Group
• Explore Careers Using Career Web Sites

Internet Resources for Teachers, Counselors, Parents, Adults, Kids and Children has information on career exploration web sites and books. The Visual Aids or Screenshots from the Unlock Your Treasure Chest Guidebook are an extra resource. They offer a valuable bonus for teachers, counselors, and parents. These screenshots are also excellent for group presentations.

See more at hollandcodes4kids.com or careerplans4all.com

The Career Development Course 101 includes over 12 lessons. It also provides downloads and web links. These resources cover a variety of career planning topics.  

You have made a life changing decision to learn more about your interests, skills, personality types, and values.  The Career Planning Course has a collection of resources to help you tap into your hidden potential.  You get inspiration and motivation to explore your interests.  You have access to tools to find potential careers and training options. 

• Discover who you really are and understand your likes, dislikes, and interests. 
• Access interests, skills, personality types, and values tests.
• Match your likes, interests to careers. 
• Find training programs. Look into an Apprenticeship, Trade Program, or College Search. These should match the careers that you are interested in.
• Succeed in planning a career. 

For detailed information about the different career tests and to the next career development steps, go to following career tests –

• Myers Briggs Type Indicator 
• RIASEC Inventory
• Self Directed Search 
• Transferable Skills Scale

See more at bit.ly/48tBNKU

Looking for a free web tool that will give you the basics about –

• Steps in the Career planning Process
• Types of career tests

Make wise decisions about the correct career test!

Enroll in the free course at https://www.careerplans4all.com/starthere

Our Career Test Bundle provides the most valid, reliable and researched career interest. It offers personality and skills assessment tests. This helps to see if your interests + capabilities = a good fit.  

The top career-assessment tests have been researched and evaluated for validity & reliability. The career test bundle includes –

• Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI Form M Career Report Not Included)
• Self Directed Search
• RIASEC Inventory
• Transferable Skills Scale  

See if your interests + capabilities = good fit.  Use tests to narrow career options before making major career decisions.  The interest + personality + skills test bundle provides you a richer picture of interests, personality preferences and skills!  The tests –

• Are more reliable – backed by research, recent job-market data, and strong methodology 
• Builds self-awareness about your preferred style of working, communicating, and decision-making
• Reflects on what work environment you thrive in
• Is good for early and mid career exploration

The benefits of test bundle –

• Measures your personality preferences (MBTI)
• Compares your interests with those of people in various occupations
• Matches your work-interest profile to six interest areas: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional 
• Combines with skill assessment to see if your interest + capability = good fit 

https://www.careerplans4all.com/bundle

Our Career Test Bundle offers highly valid, reliable, and researched assessment tests for career interests, personality, and skills. These help establish if your interests and capabilities are a good fit.

The top career-assessment tests have been researched and evaluated for validity & reliability. The career test bundle includes –

• Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI Form M Career Report Not Included)
• Self Directed Search
• RIASEC Inventory
• Transferable Skills Scale

See if your interests + capabilities = good fit.  Use tests to narrow career options before making major career decisions.  The interest + personality + skills test bundle provides you a richer picture of interests, personality preferences and skills!  The tests –

• Are more reliable – backed by research, recent job-market data, and strong methodology
• Builds self-awareness about your preferred style of working, communicating, and decision-making
• Reflects on what work environment you thrive in
• Is good for early and mid career exploration

The benefits of test bundle –

• Measures your personality preferences (MBTI)
• Compares your interests with those of people in various occupations
• Matches your work-interest profile to six interest areas: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional
• Combines with skill assessment to see if your interest + ability = good fit

Learn more at https://www.careerplans4all.com/bundle

It's time to get the right tools to achieve your goals. 

Focus on your visions and dreams. 

Set your course for the future. 

Get tools to navigate on the road to self-discovery. Are you searching to understand your interests, personality or skills? 

AWARENESS is the Key!!!

- AWARENESS unlocks the door to the unknown.  
- AWARENESS means pinpointing your interests, abilities, skills, talents, and values. 
- Awareness tools uncover who you really are.
- Awareness tools point out your likes, dislikes, or interests.

Test Drive Your Career comes with 2 career assessments - Self Directed Search & Myers Briggs Type Indicator.  

Test Drive Your Career also gives you a bonus Basic of Life planning Process course.  2 courses for 1 price!!!!

https://www.careerplans4all.com/test-drive-preview

Here are the key steps for picking a career test, laid out simply so you can choose the one that fits your needs best:

1. Define your purpose

Clarify why you’re taking a career test:

• To explore careers?
• To switch industries?
• To understand your strengths?
• To pick a college major?
• To validate a career direction?

Different tests specialize in different goals.

2. Decide what you want measured

Career tests fall into four main categories:

Interest tests (Holland Code/RIASEC) – Great for identifying motivating career themes.

Personality tests (MBTI) – Useful for understanding work style and preferred environments.

Strengths/skills assessments (Transferable Skills Scale) – Helps you see what you naturally excel at.

Pick the category that aligns with your goal.

3. Choose your level of detail and depth

Ask yourself:
Do you want quick, free, and high-level?
Or professional, paid, and research-backed?

Free & fast tests: good for exploration.
Validated, paid assessments: better for major career decisions.

4. Consider age group and audience

Different tests work for:

• Kids
• Teens
• College students
• Adults
• Executives
• Career changers

5. Check credibility

Look for tests that are:

• Research-based
• Validated with large samples
• Used by universities or career counselors
• Clear in their methodology

Avoid tests with vague descriptions or no explanation of how results are created.

6. Think about length and time commitment

Career tests range from 5 minutes to 3 hours.

Choose based on how deep you want to go and how much time you have.

7. Review the output format

What will I get from this test?

• A list of careers?
• Personality insights?
• Holland/ RIASEC Code?
• Transferable Skills?
• A customized career plan?

Pick one that gives you actionable results.

8. Check price vs. value

9. If possible, combine 2–3 types

For the most accurate picture, pair:

• Interests (what you enjoy)
• Personality (how you work)
• Skills (what you’re good at)

This process produces the best career matches.

Our newest product release!!! 

Our new Career Test Bundle provides most valid, reliable and researched career interest, personality and skills assessment tests!!! 

The bundle helps you see if your interests + capabilities = a good fit. 

Our top career-assessment tests have been researched and evaluated for validity & reliability. 

Learn more https://www.careerplans4all.com/bundle  !!!! 

Our new Career Test Bundle provides most valid, reliable and researched career interest, personality and skills assessment tests!!!

The new Career Test Bundle helps you see if your interests + capabilities = a good fit !!!!

The career test bundle :

• Builds self-awareness about your preferred style of working, communicating, and decision-making
• Reflects on what work environment you might thrive in
• Is good for early and mid career exploration
• Measures your personality preferences (MBTI)
• Compares your interests with those of people in various occupations (Self Directed Search and RIASEC Inventory)
• Matches your work-interest profile to six interest areas: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional (Self Directed Search and RIASEC Inventory)
• Combines with skill assessment to see if your interest + capability = good fit (Transferable Skills Scale)

Learn more https://www.careerplans4all.com/bundle!

Careerplans4all.com has a new Look! Easy to Navigate!

At Careerplans4all.com, you will find the some of the most valid, reliable career tests –

• Providing leading career assessments
• Used by counselors, coaches, educators and coaching professionals worldwide
• Recognized by educational institutions – universities, colleges and high schools

Explore Career Tests

Which career test type is best ?

• Children
• High School/ College
• Adult
• Personality
• RIASEC
• Transferable Skills

New Design!!!

Get ideas from our Photo Library.

See our best resources at our Career Resources Store!

We offer the most popular career tests used by counselors and educators for over 50 years!

At Careerplans4all.com, you will find the right career tools –

• Children.
• High school students
• College students
• Adults
• Bulk orders for schools, teachers, counselors/consultants, and organizations

Our career tests are:

• Personality career test for college students and adults: Myers Briggs Type Indicator career test (MBTI)
• Career test for Elementary students or Reading Impaired: Picture Interest Survey
• RIASEC career tests for high school students, college students and adults: RIASEC Inventory and Strong Interest Inventory
• Transferable skills career test for high school students, college students and adults: Transferable Skills Scale
• If you need help in deciding the right career test, consider using a career guidance system. Try the Explore Careers and College Majors and Trades guidance system for assistance. It is an excellent choice! The Career Guidance System covers personality, interests, skills and values connecting the results to careers, college majors and training programs.

Discover for next career plan!

Test Drive Your Career gives you with the right tools to identify your valuable interests, skills, values and personality styles.

It is time to get the right tools to –

• Discover your destiny
• Pursue your passion
• Achieve your goals
• Focus on your visions and dreams

Move toward your destiny, assignment, and calling.

Match your to career that is the right fit for you! Get tips from our newsletter – bit.ly/47j8WJM

The Strong Interest Inventory (SII) is one of the most widely used and research-backed career assessments in the world. It helps individuals understand their interests, preferences, and work-style tendencies. It does not focus on skills or personality. It matches them to careers where people with similar interests are satisfied.

Here are the key benefits of the Strong Interest Inventory (SII):

1. Helps Identify Career Direction

• Maps your interests to over 260 occupations, showing which align most closely with people who find satisfaction in those fields.
• Ideal for students, career changers, or anyone unsure about next steps.
• Encourages exploration of career clusters rather than forcing a single “best job.”

2. Based on the RIASEC Model (Holland Codes)

• Uses the Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional (RIASEC) framework.
• Provides a structured way to understand what environments and activities feel natural to you.
• Makes it easy to interpret results across different career databases and counseling systems.

3. Deep, Research-Validated Insights

• Backed by decades of psychometric research of thousands of professionals.
• Updated regularly to show modern occupations and interest trends.
• Results are statistically reliable — not just “quiz-style” outcomes.

4. Practical Career & Education Guidance

• Links directly to college majors, career paths, and work settings aligned with interest patterns.
• Useful for students choosing majors, career changers, or returning professionals exploring new roles.
• Helps you recognize work environments where you may thrive (e.g., structured vs. flexible, collaborative vs. independent).

5. Increases Self-Awareness

• Clarifies what activities, people, and subjects energize you.
• Encourages reflection on past experiences (“When did I feel most engaged?”).
• Useful for personal development, not just career planning.

6. Comprehensive, Actionable Report

The report typically includes:

• General Occupational Themes (GOTs) → your top RIASEC areas
• Basic Interest Scales (BIS) → 30+ specific interest areas (e.g., Law, Health, Art, Teaching, Technology)
• Occupational Scales (OS) → matches to real professionals’ profiles
• Personal Style Scales → preferences for work style, learning, leadership, and risk-taking

7. Global Recognition

• Used in over 80 countries, translated into multiple languages.
• Recognized by career centers, HR departments, universities, and coaching professionals worldwide.
• Highly regarded in both academic and professional development settings.

8. Useful for Career Transitions

• For adults, it helps identify transferable interest patterns even when skills or experience differ.
• Especially effective during mid-career transitions or after burnout, to reconnect with meaningful work.

Learn more https://bit.ly/4p14tSH

Taken a career test!

Have more questions!

Ready to know the different steps in the Career Planning Process.

Discover your interests, skills, values and personality styles.

Get information about the best career tests.

Do career research.

Decide the right training program.

Take out the guess work! We have these steps outlines for you!

To learn more about the Career Planning Process series, sign up for our newsletter! https://bit.ly/47j8WJM

iStart Strong Interest Inventory is the key to linking interests and careers!

The iStartStrong will empower you, your students, or clients. It helps them identify and pursue a career path that aligns with their interests. It also matches their personality. The report is based on results from the Strong Interest Inventory® assessment.

This personalized report provides a clear picture of how one’s interests link to various jobs. It also shows connections to work settings and career fields. Use it to assist your students in expanding their career options. Help them chart a plan of action to find a fulfilling career.

iStart Strong Interest Inventory presents results as General Themes. These themes are based on GOTs. It also presents results as Specific Interests, which are based on BLS. The results are displayed using engaging four-color graphics. The tool provides hyperlinks to related O*NET occupations.

https://bit.ly/4o2kO8S

God has given us tools to discover our identity and unlock our purpose. 

We are unique!

We are made special interests, abilities, talents, and gifts!

For 1000’s of years before the Bloom’s taxonomy, in Isaiah 11:2, the Spirit of God is called –

•    Spirit of wisdom and understanding
•    Spirit of counsel and might
•    Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD

The principles of Isaiah 11:2 are woven throughout the Bloom’s and Lorin Anderson/ David Krathwohl’s Educational Models.

Career Planning offers strategies to match your interests, abilities and skills with potential careers, apprenticeships, internships and training programs. Access the best career planning tools!

See to https://bit.ly/4h5Lumt

Stem careers can be any occupation. These are affected by activities such as:

• Conserving energy,

• Developing alternative energy

• Reducing pollution, or

• Recycling

Stem occupations fall into three groups:

• Higher Demand Stem Occupations

• Changing Skills Stem Occupations

• New Stem Occupations

Use our career guidance systems to enjoy exploring these careers. These tools are guides to help you:

• Identify interests and Holland Codes

• Match Holland Codes to careers

• Gain awareness of Green Careers

Go to https://bit.ly/46dBIuS to learn more!

There are two career guidance systems – Explore Careers and College Majors or the Explore Green, Stem and Trades Careers! Both systems have information about careers, college majors. internships, apprenticeships and resources necessary to help you make the best career decisions! Choose the best tool for your needs! https://bit.ly/462FtTJ

The job market is continuing to shift with a higher demand for stem and trade apprenticeships, internships and jobs.

Two leading articles highlight the need for diverse educational and training opportunities for today’s youth and adults.

CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK-GALLUP SURVEY

In 2021, the Carnegie Corporation of New York-Gallup Survey announced in Gallup Survey stating nearly half of U.S. families want alternatives to four-year college.

The primary findings of Gallup Survey were –

• Parents want more post-secondary options for their child. However, they lack information. One-third do not know whether apprenticeships and internships are available in their communities.
• While four-year college remains the gold standard for many families, 46% are interested in other possibilities for their child.   
• Even among parents who want their child to earn a bachelor’s degree, many show interest in career-related learning. At least 40 percent express interest in this. Among these parents, many desire a bachelor’s degree for their child. However, at least 40 percent show interest in career-related learning. These parents seek career-related learning opportunities. They are seeking opportunities like internships or apprenticeships. These include options such as internships or apprenticeships.
• 54 percent of parents wish their high school graduate would attend a four-year college. This wish is highest among Black families at 67 percent. 46 percent prefer their child pursue alternatives, even when there is no significant barrier. This comprises community college (8 percent). It also includes skills training programs (16 percent). There are also options such as the military or a paid job (22 percent). 
• 84 percent of parents of current middle and high school students say they are “satisfied” with a four-year college. They also find two-year colleges or technical training programs to be acceptable options. However, 45 percent say they wish more alternatives were available.
• 42 percent say that training for trade or technical skills provides excellent preparation for a successful career. It receives the highest rating of any option offered. This is followed by apprenticeships (40 percent) and a four-year college degree (34 percent). However, only 29 percent say they are satisfied with the availability of technical training programs. Furthermore, just 14 percent are satisfied with the availability of apprenticeships.
• 65 percent say their child faced one or more barriers to a preferred postsecondary pathway. Lack of funding is cited most often (34 percent). 57 percent of parents of recent high school graduates say funding was the only barrier. Their child was still able to enroll in a preferred training program. Their child managed to enroll in a preferred training program. They report that their child could also enroll in a higher education program. Among families facing other types of barriers, only33 percent of parents report success. These barriers include a lack of information or availability. Their child was able to pursue a preferred training program or degree.
• 39 percent of parents had hoped their child would enroll in college or a training program after high school. However, they say their child did not do so. 49 percent of those same students enter the workforce instead. This leads to lower lifetime earnings expectations.

Rethinking College Rankings: Colleges That Provide Value, Forbes, 09/01/2025

Bruno V. Manno stated at a time when college enrollment is shrinking. Public faith in higher education is faltering. The question of how we measure college value has never been more urgent!

Manno then quoted Forbes editor in chief Paul Glastris and editor Rob Wolfe –

1. We focus on how colleges help ordinary middle- and working-class students get ahead. We evaluate whether they encourage democratic participation and service to the country. Moreover, we consider if they produce scholars and scholarship that drive economic growth and human flourishing. These, we think, are what most Americans want from their investments in the higher ed system.
2. Among young adults, skepticism is sharper. Fewer than half now believe a bachelor’s degree is worth the cost. More students are choosing shorter, job-focused pathways. These include certificates in health care, information technology, and construction. They include industry-recognized credentials in fields like cybersecurity. Additionally, there are apprenticeships that allow them to work and earn a living while they learn.

Manno then referenced the Washington Monthly.  Since 2005, Washington Monthly has published a set of rankings. The rankings are based on the question, “What are colleges doing for the country?” The rankings measure three things.

• Social Mobility: Do colleges enroll and graduate students from low- and middle-income backgrounds? Do they help them secure jobs with decent earnings and manageable debt?
• Research: How do institutions contribute to innovation and knowledge creation, measured by spending, PhDs granted, and faculty awards?
• Public Service: Do schools encourage civic engagement, military service, Peace Corps participation, or entry into fields like teaching and nursing?

The 2025 Washington Monthly “Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars” Master List includes more than 1,400 institutions. From it, the Monthly created the “America’s Best Colleges for Research” list. This list highlights contributions to scientific and technical discovery. 

Here are the Monthly’s results!

• At the top is Berea College, a small liberal arts school in Kentucky that admits mostly low-income Appalachian students. Berea charges no tuition. It requires students to work at least ten hours a week. It graduates them with some of the lowest debt loads in the nation. Nine years after enrollment, Berea alumni earn $5,000 more than peers from similar backgrounds who attend other schools.
• Close behind Berea are public college workhorses like California State University–Fresno and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. These regional institutions enroll tens of thousands of first-generation and Hispanic students. They keep tuition low. They channel graduates into local industries. They lack billion-dollar endowments or single-digit rejection rates. But they transform lives at scale.
• Meanwhile, elite schools are further down the list.

From the Master List, Manno summarized –

• In this environment, these rankings remind us that the true measure of a college is not how many it excludes. Instead, it’s about how many it lifts to new social and economic heights.
• To improve, they must enroll more low-income students, help them graduate, and prepare them for meaningful work and civic life.
• That principle should extend beyond four-year colleges to all postsecondary options, including certificates and apprenticeships. The essential test for determining a college’s success is whether programs expand opportunity. They should equip students for good jobs. Additionally, they should strengthen democratic life.
• By emphasizing social mobility, research, and public service, the rankings highlight institutions. These institutions undertake the hard, unglamorous work of educating first-generation students. They also generate new knowledge and strengthen civic life.

Manno (2025) also quoted Jamie Merisotis, President of the Lumina Foundation. He argued that the future lies in “more valuable degrees.” By this, he means programs that align with labor-market needs and close the talent gap. In other words, not just more degrees, but better ones.  Best Colleges are the ones that help students climb, communities thrive, and democracy endure.

References

Bruno V. Manno, Rethinking College Rankings: Colleges That Provide Value, https://www.forbes.com/sites/brunomanno/2025/09/01/rethinking-college-rankings-colleges-that-provide-value/, Forbes, Sep 01, 2025

Carnegie Corporation of New York, Nearly Half of U.S. Families Want Alternatives to Four-Year College According to Carnegie Corporation of New York-Gallup Survey, https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/nearly-half-american-families-want-alternatives-four-year-college-according-carnegie-corporation-new-york-gallup-survey/#:~:text=84%20percent%20of%20parents%20of,preferred%20training%20program%20or%20degree, April 07, 2021

Ready to look for a future in Trade and Stem Jobs

Explore Trade and Stem Jobs System is a personalized career planning system. It is online, interactive, and self-guided. It provides answers to questions about career exploration.

Dashboard

The Dashboard is the control center of the Explore Trade and Stem Jobs System.

There are five sections in the Dashboard –

1. Self Assessments
2. Explore the Possibilities – Career Exploration & Training Program Exploration
3. Take Action
4. Reports

Self Assessment

The Self Assessment section begins with the My Academic Strengths.

The results provide an overview of the following areas –

• Things “I do very well”
• Things “I do alright”
• Things “I don’t do well”

There are four career tests –

• Work Interest Test
• Personality Test
• Values Test
• Test Test

There are detailed instructions for each career test.

Explore the Possibilities

The Explore the Possibilities includes the Career Exploration section. It also consists of the Training Program Exploration section of the Explore Trade and Stem Jobs System.

Career Exploration

In the Career Exploration section,

• You perform personalized career research.
• You identify potential careers.
• You begin narrowing career options.

After completing the interests, skills, personality types, and/or values tests, you can personalize careers to your results. You can then click on any career that interests you.

Then, you filter and personalize careers by the following criteria –

• Alphabetically
• Job Family
• Green Job
• Bright Outlook
• Salary
• Saved Occupations

After completing Career Exploration, you will –

• Match results to training programs
• Perform personalized research to identify potential training programs

Explore and Occupation

The Explore and Occupation section is designed to help you can access training programs.

1. One method is to click on the Explore any Occupation link. Click on any occupation that interests you. Then, click on Education Requirements.
2. Another training program exploration tool is the Explore Any Major Area of Study That Interests You tool.
3. Third tool is What Can I Do If I Majored Intool.  Click the desired major.  Related Majors appear.  View detailed information about job description, sample job titles, potential salary and green/ bright outlook ratings.

Take Action

The purpose of the Take Action section is to create a personalized road map. Take Action serves as an online portfolio.

The areas under the Take Action section are –

• My Education
• My Professional Development

Career and Education Planning Results

Career and Education Planning Results are a summary of your personalized career test results and saved preferences.

Visit Explore Trade and Stem Jobs System.

During life, we have to make different career decisions –

• Trying to decide the right career choice
• Wanting to explore the right career choice for your college major
• Investigating the bright outlook careers
• Looking at STEM careers
• Understanding the tasks required for a different careers
• Transitioning to our new career

Explore Careers and College Majors is an excellent tool that has answers to all your career questions! https://bit.ly/4n9R60M

Bright Outlook Jobs video provides information about success in the current job market! Find out the latest job trends! bit.ly/3TCoYa0

Check out our free resources (videos, graphics, and blogs)! bit.ly/45xoYPg

Learn about our most popular career tests on sales! https://bit.ly/45xoYPg

The Strong Interest Inventory® is an on-line Holland Code career assessment.

It helps you identify Interests, Holland Codes, and Careers.

There are three (3) Strong Interest Inventory editions: Standard (Adults), High School, and College.

For more information, go to bit.ly/4p14tSH.

This is the second video in the Stem Career series.

Find Holland Codes for more than 100 Stem careers in these twelve sectors below –

1. Agriculture and Forestry
2. Energy and Carbon Capture and Storage
3. Energy Efficiency
4. Energy Trading
5. Environment Protection
6. Governmental and Regulatory Administration
7. Green Construction
8. Manufacturing
9. Recycling and Waste Reduction
10. Renewable Energy Generation
11. Research, Design, and Consulting Services
12. Transportation

Learn more https://bit.ly/3VsCNZj !

Stem career can be any occupation that involves certain activities. These include conserving energy, developing alternative energy, reducing pollution, or recycling.

Stem occupations fall into three groups:

·      Higher Demand Stem Occupations

·      Changing Skills Stem Occupations

·      New Stem Occupations

Use Stem Careers – Unlock Your Future posters as a guide to help you:

·      Identify interests and RIASEC Codes

·      Match RIASEC Codes to careers

·      Gain awareness of Green Careers

Find Holland Codes for more than 100 Stem careers in these twelve sectors.

Learn more https://bit.ly/3VsCNZj !

The Detectives of the Bible Club is a fun, interactive way to explore the Word of God.

Each lesson is packed full of activities –

• Bible stories,
• Bible Word Studies,
• Verses
• Coloring sheets
• Crossword puzzles
• Activity sheets

Good for Family Bible Studies!

https://bit.ly/45Tn6Q0

Use Holland Codes or transferable skills to discover your strengths, skills and talents. Utilize your creative energy to unlock your potential! Create a portfolio that highlights your skills, talents and abilities! Share your vision with others! Check out our free resources! https://bit.ly/3U73FO7

Get 10 Top Tips for Selecting the Right Career Assessment or Test! Use the steps to pinpoint your interests, abilities, skills, talents, and values.
The three steps are –

• Awareness, Knowledge, and Assessment

• Educational and Occupational Exploration

• Career and College Major Planning

Get the 10 Top Tips for Selecting the Right Career Assessment or Test download at https://bit.ly/4mz9Zdf

Excellent supplement to the Bright Outlook Jobs is a video that supplements the Breaking Through Walls article! Both resources provide information about success in the current job market! Use the RIASEC Inventory to find the latest O*NET job titles identifying the right job outlook. bit.ly/3TCoYa0

Use Holland Codes or transferable skills to discover your strengths, skills and talents. Utilize your creative energy to unlock your potential! Create a portfolio that highlights your skills, talents and abilities! Share your vision with others!  Check out our free resources! https://bit.ly/3U73FO7

The RIASEC Inventory is an excellent tool to explore career options.  

Here is a video that describes the parts of the online RIASEC Inventory  – 

1) RIASEC Inventory overview 

2) Holland Codes overview 

3) RIASEC Inventory registration 

4) RIASEC Inventory administration 

5) Career exploration and 

6) RIASEC Inventory Report

Read more  about the RIASEC Inventory at bit.ly/4mlY9D4

Each one of us is a special one-of-a-kind original work of art. The challenge is to discover what makes us unique and special. Get tools to discover your identity! Find resources to match your strengths to the right job or entrepreneurial activity.

Are you trying to find the right career test, career, or training program. You have answers at Careerplans4all.com. Here are some tools that you can use any time, any where.

The Careerplans4all.com web site has resources to explore careers and training programs.

Career Decision Making Tools are used with Holland Codes career tests. These include the Picture Interest Career Survey, RIASEC Inventory, Strong Interest Inventory, and Explore Careers and College Majors.

There are videos, web sites, free resources and membership tools.

Go to bit.ly/4cPAdTw

The news has highlighted that from entry level graduate to experienced job seeker people are looking for new employment!

Your degree and transferable skills are keys to your next job opportunity!

Match Degree Program to Another Career

Our Explore Careers and College Major Programs has two programs that help you to explore careers using two methods –

• Explore Occupations by Job families
• What Can I Do If I Majored In

Explore Occupations by Job Family

To research the careers using Explore Occupations by Job Family, go the Explore Occupations by Job Family

• Look on the Main Menu page under Explore the Possibilities section.

• Click on the Explore Occupations by Job Family link.

See some of the Job Families –

• Architecture & Engineering
• Arts, Entertainment, Sports, & Media
• Building & Grounds Maintenance
• Business & Financial
• Community & Social Service
• Computer & Mathematical
• Construction & Extraction
• Education & Training
• Farming, Fishing, & Forestry
• Food Service
• Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
• Healthcare Support
• Installation, Maintenance, & Repair
• Legal
• Life, Physical, & Social Science
• Management
• Office & Administrative Support
• Personal Care & Service
• Production
• Protective Service

Open the job family that interests you. You will find a few different occupations.

For example, Education & Training occupations are –

• Agricultural Sciences Professor
• Anthropology and Archaeology Professor
• Aquarium Curator
• Architecture Professor
• Archivist
• Area and Cultural Studies Professor
• Art, Drama, & Music Professors
• Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Post-Secondary
• Biology Professor
• Business Professor
• Career / Technical Education Teacher
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School
• Chemistry Professor
• Communications Professor
• Computer Science Professor
• Criminal Justice Professor
• Curriculum and Assessment Director

Click on an occupation.  An Occupational Details web page appears.

The different sections in the career profile are –

• Occupational Overview
• Earnings
• Outlook
• Training
• Job Tasks
• Work Interest Profile
• Values
• Skills
• Education Requirements
• Professional Associations

What Can I Do If I Majored In …

The What Can I Do If I Majored In covers information about some of the following college majors –

• Agriculture and Related Sciences
• Architecture
• Area, Ethnic and Gender Studies
• Basic Skills and Developmental/Remedial Education
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Business, Management and Marketing
• Citizenship Activities
• Communication and Journalism
• Communication Technology
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Construction Trades
• Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services
• Education
• Engineering
• Engineering Technologies
• Foreign Languages, Literature, and Linguistics

Go to the What Can I Do If I Majored In Tool.

On the What Can I Do If I Majored In, click the desired major.

As an example, clicked on Education.

Related Majors appear. You go down the list. Keep looking until you find the right major. For example, Counselor Education – School Counseling and Guidance Services.

The Counselor Education page appears.  On the page, there is a college program/ major description.  You can save or print the description.

Under the program title and description, there is a list of potential careers matched to the desired major.  Scroll down, view, click or save the desired occupation, for example: Career, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors.

Scroll down to the Educational Requirements.  You will again see desired college majors –

• Counselor Psychology
• Counselor Education – School Counseling and Guidance Services
• Education
• Psychology
• School Psychology

For example: Counselor Education – School Counseling and Guidance Services.

A program prepares individuals to apply the theory and principles of guidance and counseling. This is for providing support for the personal, social, educational, and vocational development of students. It also involves organizing guidance services within elementary, middle, and secondary educational institutions. Includes instruction in legal and professional requirements, therapeutic counselor intervention, vocational counseling, and related sociological and psychological foundations.

References

There are excellent web sites that match careers to your degree.  University web sites list web pages that match majors/ degrees to the following areas –

• Common Career Paths
• Employers
• Strategies
• Common Employers
• Getting Started and Advancing Steps
• Professional Associations
• Occupational Outlook
• Employment Opportunities
• Related Resources

The most common reference resource is https://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/ from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

• Facing entry-level job crunch, new grads question the value of a degree (Washingtonpost.com)
• Young Graduates Are Facing an Employment Crisis (Wall Street Journal)
• New grads are struggling to find jobs and they’re being locked out of the labor market because of 3 key factors (Fortune)
• New Grads Are Facing Major Challenges Finding Work. Here’s Why (Inc.)
• Layoffs, Job Market Trigger Record Low For Employee Confidence Index (Forbes)
• The Jobs Market Is Starting to Fall Apart (Wall Street Journal)
• Thousands of laid-off government workers are flooding a shrinking job market (Fortune)
• What Can I Do With This Major. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, https://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/ 2023 This web site is used by many universities!
• What Can I Do With A Majors UC Berkeley. Career Engagement https://career.berkeley.edu/start-exploring/majors-to-career/what-can-i-do-with-a-major-in/, 2025
• What Can I Do With This Major? University Career Center, University of Michigan, Youtube video!
• What Can I Do With This Major? Youtube Video University of North Texas video
• What Can I Do With A Major In…? Loyola University Maryland https://www.loyola.edu/department/career-center/resources/major-career-exploration/majors/
• What Can I Do With A Major In?  Middle Tennessee State University, 2025 https://www.mtsu.edu/career/majors/

Next steps – Using transferable skills in career exploration …

Watch Mission Possible Youtube video !!!

Build awareness of what matters to you the most.

There are two paths – your interests or skills.

• Your interests are what you like doing.
• Your skills are what you are good at!

These are the two paths that you can take on the road to your destiny.
Take the first step!

Go to the Start Here Blog – bit.ly/44flyQC

Time to discover your strengths and interests. Match your talents to future careers and training programs. Careerplans4all.com has tests, videos, graphics, downloads and much, much, more!

Build awareness of interests and skills with two new online, easy-to-use, Holland Code and transferable skills career tools. Explore career interests or transferable skills. Create a list of potential careers. Generate a printable PDF report. Watch our YouTube video. Learn more at bit.ly/4nCdm4I

What are your career goals?

Look at the different apprenticeships, technical training programs, and college/ university degree options:

• College/ university degree programs
• Technical training
• Apprenticeships

Understand your goals!

Are you seeking a specific, in-demand trade, or are you looking for broader career path with more flexibility?

What is your focus?

• Streamlined courses and learning methodologies focusing on manual, mechanical, or technical skills for specific occupations that will allow you to gain hands-on experience in a specific trade or
• Critical thinking skills to build your reasoning and logic widening and building diverse knowledge relevant to an industry

 The choice is yours!

When you are looking at an apprenticeship, technical training, or college/university program, you should conduct research. This is essential to find the right training programs or college/university majors.

 What factors should you consider?

According Research.com, the cost of college is important to consider. The duration of the study and job prospects are also things to consider when making your decision.

What tools are available ?

Holland Codes, Career Planning Tool

Holland (RIASEC) Codes are keys to discover the right, apprenticeships, technical training programs, and college majors! Holland (RIASEC) Codes can match your interests to training programs or college/ university majors. 

What are the differences between the different options?  Understand the differences!

Colleges and universities help you hone your reasoning and logic and widen your knowledge about your field of study. Research.com.

Trade, technical school, vocational school, or vocational college schools

• Allow you to develop industry-specific skillsets that employers will surely find impressive. Research.com
• Focus on honing manual, mechanical, or technical skills for specific occupations. Research.com
• Involve streamlined courses and learning methodologies that allow students to gain hands-on experience in a specific trade. In this way, students can become equipped to enter the workforce faster.
• The accelerating technological advancements have produced the need for specialized trade school training and high-demand roles. Research.com

 Consider the different factors!

 Important factors to consider when making your decision about apprenticeships, technical training programs, and college/ university majors degrees are –

• Duration – Length of Time to Graduate
• Cost of Attendance
• Institutional accreditation
• Job prospects
• Return on Investment (ROI)
• Job Readiness
• Career Flexibility
• Average Salaries
• Admission Requirements
• Check the program accreditation

 Use available resources!

 The College Affordability and Transparency List from the U.S. Department of Education outline the different factors –

• Which colleges have the highest and lowest tuition and net prices
• How much do career and vocational programs costs?
• How fact are college costs going up?

 Accreditation is an important factor!

 An essential Check the accreditation of the school that you are interested in.  Go to  https://www.bestcolleges.com/trades/are-trade-schools-accredited/

 Looking at College/ University Majors

 One of the university/ college major exploration web sites is Big Future.  Find the right colleges or university for you. College or university search web site is here to help you make the best decision for you. To begin, choose one of two starting points. Use MatchMaker to generate a list of colleges that match your preferences. Use QuickFinder to research a college that you already have in mind.

 Areas included involve –

• Majors
• Location
• Type
• Affordability
• Campus Life
• Credit
• Admissions
• Reach, Match, Safety
• Degrees

 Trade Schools

The programs in trade schools are designed to provide students with specific training. They focus on the hard skills needed for a particular job. The curricula involve streamlined courses and learning methodologies that allow students to gain hands-on experience in a specific trade. Students can enter the workforce faster. They can get the best jobs for trade school graduates.

 Advance CTE (Association for Career and Technical Education) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association. It was formerly the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc). It is committed to advancing education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. 

 According to Research.com, Advance CTE has defined 16 different vocational clusters and 79 trade school careers that students can take.

Apprenticeships

 One of the Apprenticeship web site is ApprenticeshipUSA.  ApprenticeshipUSA is a unifying brand that encompasses the entire National Registered Apprenticeship system and brings awareness to the proven and successful

ApprenticeshipUSA connects all stakeholders in the National Registered Apprenticeship system. This includes employers, industry associations, labor unions, and education and training providers. It also involves apprenticeship contractors and grantees, apprentices, and community-based organizations. Additionally, equity partners, Ambassadors, DOL Apprenticeship Staff, State Apprenticeship Agencies, Federal partners, and intermediaries are connected.

 Registered Apprenticeship is a proven recruitment strategy. It’s also an effective method for training and retention across all industries. This strategy enables employers to develop, train, and retain their future workforce. It offers career seekers affordable paths to secure high-paying jobs. In fact, 93% of apprentices retain employment after completing an apprenticeship program. This retention contributes to a high return on investment for employers and industry leaders.

 For more resources, visit our resource web page! 

 Have a blessed day,

 Dr. Mary Askew

careerplans4all.com

References:

·       Trade School vs. College: What’s the Difference? By TBS Staff Writers,  October 8, 2024 https://thebestschools.org/degrees/trade-schools-vs-college/

·       Trade School vs College for 2025: Pros & Cons, and Job Opportunities, Imed Bouchrika, Phd, MAY 16, 2025, https://research.com/universities-colleges/trade-school-vs-college

·       Advance CTE (n.d.). Career Clusters. Retrieved from https://careertech.org/career-clusters

·       Carnevale, A.P. & Cheah, B. (2018). Five Rules of the College and Career Game. Georgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce. Retrieved from https://1gyhoq479ufd3yna29x7ubjn-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/Fiverules.pdf

·       National Center for Education Statistics (2021, May). Undergraduate Enrollment. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cha

·       Plumer, B. (2013, May). Only 27 percent of college grads have a job related to their major. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2013/05/20/only-27-percent-of-college-grads-have-a-job-related-to-their-major/

·       Quiroga-Garza, M.E. Flores-Marín, D.L. Cantú-Hernandez, R.R. Rojas, I.E.E., & Cabrera, M.V.L. (2020). Effects of a vocational program on professional orientation. Heliyon 6(4). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03860

·       Thompson, D. (2020, October). College Grads Lack Job Readiness. TD Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.td.org/magazines/td-magazine/college-grads-lack-job-readiness

·       Torpey, E. (2019, January). High-wage occupations by typical entry-level education. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2019/article/high-wage-occupations.htm

·       U.S. Department of Education (2020). College Affordability and Transparency List Retrieved from https://collegecost.ed.gov/affordability

·       U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020, May). Learn more, earn more: Education leads to higher wages, lower unemployment. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2020/data-on-display/education-pays.htm

·       But, Do I Need a College Degree?: Understanding Perceptions of College and Career Readiness among Students Enrolled in a Career and Technical High School Genia M Bettencourt 1,, Chrystal A George Mwangi 2, Keisha L Green 3, Daniel Morales Morales 3https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8614215/

 In life, we face challenges!

We are in a process of transition, ever changing and evolving.

In our journey through life, we have changing goals.

In the beginning, we

• Discover our interests and skills
• Explore potential careers
• Complete training opportunities

 Free Access Resources

Start Here Blog

The Start Here Blog (tutorial) covers the Basics of the Life Planning Process.

Right Test Guide

Learn about our career tests. Need help deciding what career test is right for you!

Right Career Test

 Top Career Tests

Plan for the future!

Find your favorite career test at our career test store –

• Myers Briggs Type Indicator career test (MBTI)
• Picture Interest Survey
• RIASEC Inventory
• Strong Interest Inventory
• Transferable Skills Scale

Start the journey today!

Start Here Blog is a free tool that guides you through the Life Planning Process.

Learn about keys to self awareness.

Get overviews of the most popular career resources to develop strategies to explore potential occupations.

Access other free resources –

• Featured Articles – Transferable Skills Overview, RIASEC (Holland) Codes, MBTI or Personality Types and Inspiration/ Motivation
• Start Here Tutorial and Right Test Guide
• Holland Codes for Kids Resources
• Social Media resources – Instagram, Linkedin, Facebook, Youtube, Slideshare, Pinterest, as well as Blogger & WordPress blogs…

Elementary and Middle School Career Awareness

Acknowledgement: This article is dedicated to the parents, teachers, and counselors. Administrations, governmental leaders, community members, and businesses also support career education programs!

Careerplans4all.com designed the Kid Career Awareness System to offer step by step guides to help children –

• Pinpoint your child’s or student’s interests, abilities, skills, talents, and values.
• Match their likes and interests to future training programs and careers.

1. The Basics for Elementary School Career Education Programs

In career awareness programs, students do not make premature career choices. 

• Elementary school career education is not career exploration or career preparation.
• Elementary students remain open to new career ideas. They explore different possibilities. Elementary students build awareness of self, personal interactions, school, and the workforce.
• Elementary school counselors and teachers build self-awareness, family awareness, school awareness, and community awareness. They also foster career/work awareness, attitude development, skill development, decision making strategies, and self-worth.    

The focus of career awareness is to introduce K-5 students to the many types of careers that exist. It presents different working environments. It also aims to foster a positive attitude toward work. Furthermore, it helps students understand the connection between academics and their future career. 

2. What demonstrated need does this Kid Career Awareness System serve?

An excellent review article was written by Nam Ngo Thanh (2024).  Nam Ngo Thanh (2024) provided insights into career guidance in elementary education. It encompasses much more than just preparing children for future jobs. It’s about equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and self-awareness they need to navigate an ever-changing world. By starting early, we can help children develop a positive attitude towards learning and work. We can also broaden their horizons. This lays the groundwork for informed decision-making in the future.

Nam Ngo Thanh (2024) added the following key points –

1. Career guidance has traditionally been associated with high school and college students on the cusp of entering the workforce. However, a growing body of research suggests that career-related learning should begin much earlier, even at the elementary school level. This approach is gaining traction globally. Educators in countries like Vietnam recognize its importance. They see it as laying strong foundations for children’s future career development. 
2. By introducing career-related concepts early, we can broaden children’s horizons. We expose them to a wide range of careers and combat limiting stereotypes.
3. Career guidance activities can foster critical skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. 
4. Connecting classroom learning to real-world applications can enhance students’ engagement and motivation. 
5. Helping children understand their interests, strengths, and values from a young age can guide their future decisions. 
6. Moreover, instilling the idea that learning is a continuous process prepares students for a rapidly changing world.

Other authors have cited the importance of elementary school career education.

Inspire Success (2025) and others summarized “The focus of Career Awareness is to introduce K-5 students to different career types. It helps them learn about the many types of careers that exist. It also highlights different working environments. It aims to foster a positive attitude toward work. It helps students understand the connection between academics and their future career. Career Awareness also introduces the idea that a career is more than a job.” 

Maialearning.com (2025) summarized the first major reason why career awareness is so important for K-5 students. Many students do not know about all the various careers they might be interested in doing later in life.

Moonpreneur (2025) highlighted that play is an essential activity because it aids the development of basic skills. These skills include problem-solving, decision-making, planning, and adaptability. All these skills are fundamental in child career planning and for children’s future careers. Playful learning can effectively help parents and educators guide children on their career choice. Exposure to a variety of professions is beneficial. This approach sets up a holistic children career plan. This early emphasis on skill building allows children to pursue the best careers for them. They also become better prepared for school, work, and life.

Sharon Collins from the Kentucky Office of Career and Technical Education (2024) proposed a new method. Elementary career studies require a cross-curricular approach. They also need an interdisciplinary approach. This method helps students to cultivate a sense of self and identify areas of interest. It also enables them to gain a sense of career awareness and understand the relationship between academics and future careers.

Schoolinks (2023) emphasized that career exposure starting in elementary school is beneficial. It helps students connect their interests with possible future career paths. It also builds an awareness of what careers exist. Elementary school career awareness can foster curiosity in learning. It reduces stereotypes in the careers students see themselves being able to do. This awareness builds confidence and enthusiasm as students think about their futures with an open mind. Planting seeds and helping students make connections between their strengths and passions and different careers can have a lasting impact.

Sumer Strawbree (2023) highlighted 7 Reasons Why Career Exploration In Elementary School Matters …

• Early Exposure
• Career Awareness
• Reduce Dropouts
•  Lifelong Learner
• Develop Skills
• Access
• Increase Motivation and Improve Self-Esteem

Jamie Alexander and Laura Hubbs-Tait (2022) agreed. At this stage, what matters is that your child gets exposure to a wide range of careers. It is important to engage in a variety of activities. These activities should require some forethought or creativity. They should also focus on developing and enhancing their skills and abilities. 

Kai Frazier (2022) continued “Career exploration is the process of discovering, evaluating, and learning about modern career paths. It involves understanding how students can pursue their chosen careers. But it’s more than that. Elementary school career exploration should spark curiosity, showcase career opportunities, and foster self-awareness. It should help students learn more about themselves. This way, they can make informed decisions about what kind of job would be fulfilling. The job should be aligned with their unique skills.”

Rahsaan Bartet (2022) reported that career literacy, when introduced early in life, can successfully challenge self-limiting notions. Students can be equipped to overcome a lack of information. This can be achieved by giving them a chance to explore diverse job paths. This process helps them make informed postsecondary decisions. Exploring different career fields helps prepare them for both career and college. It is also a method of providing tools for young learners. These tools help them achieve their goals. In many cases, they encourage learners to aim higher.

Dr. Patrick Akos (2020) noted self and career awareness breeds purpose and meaning, enhancing the self-direction and hope of youth. Larry Bernstein (2021) stated that early career planning focuses on self-discovery. It aims to help children understand the world around them. Bernstein cited an article by Professor Mary Edwin of the University of Missouri-St Louis and Professor Diandra J. Prescod of The Pennsylvania State University is a paper by career development theorist, Eli Ginzberg. He says, the career choice process, “… occurs across three periods – fantasy, tentative, and realistic choices.” Ginzberg believes the tentative period begins around the time students are in fifth grade. It involves them using information available to make choices. Their interests, skills, and values help guide these career choices.

According to Purdue University (2019), providing students with access to core STEM courses early can significantly impact their career interests. Exposing them to such courses in elementary school increases their interest in pursuing STEM careers.

Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). (2018) agreed that the research has identified middle school as a time when students can benefit the most. This is from career exploration. Career exploration is a process of building self-awareness. It also involves learning about potential careers and developing a plan for reaching future goals.

Elnaz Kashefpakdel (2018) launched a survey. The goal was to find out how primary schools in the UK were responding to the career strategy. It also looked at what primary schools were doing to develop pupils’ understanding of the world of work. The study examined the challenges they faced in doing so. The results showed that primary schools viewed preparing children for their life in the workplace as important. They saw it as a significant part of the school’s role. Importantly, this meant that learning activities related to the world of work were not imposed on primary staff. The provision of these activities was not mandatory. Primary schools made their own choices. Instead, these activities fit into what primary schools were already trying to achieve”… Nearly all teachers agreed that introducing children to the world of work was important in:

• Linking learning to the real world and in doing so increasing motivation to work hard
• Challenging gender stereotyping about jobs and school subjects
• Broadening aspirations

Mildred Cahill and Edith Furey (2017) stated that educators have a unique position. This includes pre-school and primary teachers, early childhood educators, and day-care workers. They inspire and motivate children. They also support children in their academic, social, emotional, and career development. For children, it’s all about their present lives and their dreams for the future. These dreams are often based in fantasy, but are very real to children. As children mature physically, they grow socially and learn to relate to other siblings, family, peers, and playmates. So too, they develop cognitively, increase their critical thinking skills, and formulate their values, ideas, and preferences. Career development for young children (preschool, primary, and early elementary) is about the present. It helps them develop a healthy sense of self. They gain competencies that will enable them to reach their full potential.

According to Dayes and Khan (2003), specific elementary school career needs include a systematic process. This process will enable children to develop sound educational and career plans (Starr, 1996). It involves exploration of how self fits with specific careers (McIntosh, 2000). There is also a focus on values, interests, and abilities— not on gender role stereotypes.     

Ediger (2000) reported that  “the elementary school years are not too early to begin. Children can achieve a vision of what one desires to do in life. They contribute to the world of work.”  Without career education, students have unrealistic perceptions of careers due to a lack of knowledge and poor decision making.  Students have limited knowledge and exposure to careers. When students look at the different industries e.g. sports, media and entertainment, most students underestimate the skills and time required to have successful careers.  

The South Carolina Department of Education (South Carolina Law > Code of Laws > Title 59) recognizes the parent’s role in career awareness. This is part of the Parental Involvement in Their Children’s Education Act. Parental involvement in career awareness begins at an early age. Parents and extended family members enhance and influence children’s knowledge and awareness of careers in a variety of ways. Children identify with family careers early in life. Career awareness is the first step in the career decision-making process, and it begins in the home and community. Good career choices are a result of four main elements: self-knowledge, readiness, fit, and support.

Purpose and Rationale for the My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey

1. What does the My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey measure?

The My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey allow children to build awareness of careers.

2. What are the concepts or theories underlying the development of the My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey?

Dr. John L. Holland (1985) created Holland Code Career Model, Holland Hexagon Model or Holland Codes. Holland/ RIASEC Code assessments provide career information, college major information, lists of careers, and job finder resources. There are print and internet resources.

The Holland Code/ RIASEC Career Model matches jobs into job codes, interest clusters, work personality environments, or personality types. The Occupational Codes are –

• Realistic
• Investigative
• Artistic
• Social
• Enterprising
• Conventional

Description of the My Rainbow Career Finder

What is the structure of the instrument?

The My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey are virtual, visual learning tools for kids. They use graphics to represent Holland or RIASEC Codes.

The My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey clarify thoughts, integrates new knowledge, and promotes critical thinking. New concepts are more thoroughly and easily understood.

The My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey help students organize and analyze information.

Children, youth, and adults –

• See how Holland (RIASEC) Codes are connected to careers
• Realize how careers can be grouped and organized

Components

 What components do you think will be necessary for administering the My Rainbow Career Finder? Additionally, what will be needed for scoring and interpreting the Picture Interest Survey?

The My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey are virtual tools. They are visual and self-scoring. These career awareness tools help children discover Holland Codes.

Supplemental web course provides additional activities to explore future careers.

Primary Markets

1.  What is the target population for the My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey (i.e., demographic characteristics such as age, gender, etc.)

The target population for the My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey is elementary or middle school students.

Other individuals who use the My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey include people –

• Who are In ESL/GED programs
• Who have limited reading ability
• Who have limited knowledge of English
• Who are developmentally delayed
• Who are learning disabled
• Who have special needs
• Who have limited access to education

2. Which professional disciplines would purchase the My Rainbow Career Finder? Who will use the Picture Interest Survey?

Professional disciplines include –

• Universities and college – Elementary school education and counseling professors,
• Teaching – Teachers, tutors, and home educators
• Counseling – School counselors, career development facilitators, life coaches, and career coaches
• Child Development – After School Instructors, Career Day Facilitators, and Community Agency Staff
• Social Services – Social workers, crisis counselors, and At – Risk Children Program Staff 

3. Which settings would be appropriate for use of My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey (e.g., schools, private clinics, hospitals, private practice, etc.)?

Settings for the My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey include –

• Schools
• Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA/ YWCA Programs, and other community organizations
• Afterschool Programs
• Kids Go To Work Days
• Career Days
• Summer School Programs

Market Competition and Special Features of the My Rainbow Career Finder and Picture Interest Survey

What other Programs are currently available that serve a similar function?

There is not a wide selection of Holland or RIASEC Code, visual career Programs available for elementary or middle school.

Please visit our Kid Career Awareness System for more information about supplemental readings, updates, products and discounts.

In life, we are searching for identity, purpose and meaning.

We are in a process of transition, ever changing and evolving.

In our journey through life, we have different goals.

In the beginning, we

• Discover our interests and skills
• Explore potential careers
• Complete training opportunities

We develop a better understanding of our identity, purpose, and strengths.

Then, seasons change, and we have to transition to something new.

Yet, with change, we have to continue to develop a better understanding of our identity, purpose, and strengths – our interests and skills.

A great place to begin is discovering or reviewing your strongest interests and skills.

As a review, your interests are RIASEC or Holland Model matches jobs to job codes, interest clusters, work personality environments, or personality types.

The Occupational Codes are –

• Realistic
• Investigative
• Artistic
• Social
• Enterprising
• Conventional

A skill is a learned or acquired behavior, activity, competency, or proficiency.

Knowing about transferable skills will help teens and adults prepare to be successful in the workplace or business. Transferable skills are a product of our talents, traits and knowledge. These skills determine how you respond to new activities, work situations or jobs.

Transferable skills are non-job specific skills that you have acquired during any activity or life experiences. Student activities and experiences include campus and community activities, class projects, and assignments, hobbies, athletic activities, internships and summer part-time jobs.

Transferable skills fall into three (3) groups: Working with people, working with things, and working with data/information.

These terms are defined below: 

• Working with people skills happen when people sell, train, advise, and negotiate.
• Working with things skills occur when people repair, operate machinery, sketch, survey, or troubleshoot.
• Working with data/information skills involve budgeting, researching, and analyzing.