How Early Career Exploration Opens Pathways to Student Success

Making significant choices can be daunting, particularly for teenagers aged 13 or 14. At Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), we view early exploration as essential to student achievement. Thus, we are seizing the chance to assist eighth graders in strategically planning their high school journey, linking it to their futures in a meaningful way.With updates to Indiana's high school graduation requirements, students are encouraged to align their studies with one of three postsecondary pursuits: enrollment in college, employment, or military enlistment. Although this may seem ambitious for middle schoolers, IPS perceives it as an opportunity to support both students and families earlier, providing personalized pathways to success.Such initiatives are pivotal to our Rebuilding Stronger plan, focused on enhancing student experiences during critical academic years. While not every eighth grader will have a definitive future outlined, early exposure to real-world experiences supports informed decision-making. Work-based learning empowers students with vital skills that translate into any future career, guiding them toward meaningful goals.