As children's experiences grow and expand so does their knowledge ofand choices about careers. Children learn quickly that not every one will be an athlete or a lawyer, even though they may still believe that they will be that one out of 7500 who will be the professional athlete or the high-paid lawyer who always wins the toughest case. Children go through fascinations and phases like studying dinosaurs or bugs. All these experiences are part of the life-long learning process. During middle school and high school, these young people question their talents, skills, and dreams.
Adolescence typically is a dynamic time of changes and challenges.
Here are some resources for parents and adolescents in the career planning process. WisCareers matches students interests with occuptions and the corresponding career pathwaysand the institutions which offer the appropriate education. Middle school 8th graders and high school sophomores take the Self-Directed Search by Dr. John Holland as part of the Wisconsin Student Assessment System test. The SDS correlates with the students' interest and personal characteristics. Each student receives a listing of over 75 occupations, the length and type of education that each occupations requires.