Thinking about your future career might seem far off when you’re in middle school, but it’s actually the perfect time to start exploring! Just like Megan Lovely, a high school student in the original article who dreamed of being a director, you can begin laying the groundwork for a fulfilling career path right now. Middle school is an opportunity to discover what excites you and what you’re naturally good at.
Starting early doesn’t mean you need to decide on your dream job today. Instead, it’s about opening your mind to different possibilities and learning about yourself. As Mark Danaher, a career counselor, wisely said, “Start exploring what you want to do when you’re a freshman… The high school years go very quickly.” For middle schoolers, this exploration is even more fundamental. It’s about understanding your interests, trying new things, and discovering the types of activities that make you excited to learn.
This article is designed to help middle school students like you begin this exciting journey of career planning. We’ll explore how to discover your interests, the value of gaining early experiences, and how to prepare for your future educational paths. Let’s dive in and discover the tools you can use to start planning for your bright future!
Discover Your Interests
Middle school is an ideal time to start thinking about what kind of work might make you happy later in life. Steve Schneider, a school counselor, points out, “All your life you’ve been asked what you want to do when you grow up. In high school, you start to work towards making that happen.” For middle schoolers, this is the starting point of that journey.
It’s perfectly normal if you don’t have a specific career in mind right now. Most people change their career ideas multiple times, and that’s okay! The important thing is to start the process of self-discovery. Instead of focusing on a single job title, think about the broader areas that genuinely interest you. Danaher emphasizes, “My feeling is that high school students don’t have to know the exact career they want, but they should know how to explore careers and put time into investigating them and learning about their skills and interests.” For middle school, this is about building that foundation of exploration.
Understand Yourself
The first step in career exploration is understanding yourself – what you enjoy and what you are naturally good at. Schneider asks a key question: “If you don’t know what you want to do, the question is, ‘What do you like to learn about?’ If you really like science, what do you enjoy about it—the lab work, the research?” For middle schoolers, this could translate to thinking about favorite subjects, hobbies, and activities you enjoy outside of school.
Think about what makes you excited to learn. Do you love solving puzzles? Are you fascinated by how things work? Do you enjoy being creative and artistic? Kate Sours, mentioned in the original article, realized her love for kids and helping people, which guided her towards nursing. For you, it might be something completely different.
Julie Hartline, a school counseling consultant, reminds us why this self-reflection is important: “The whole purpose of thinking about careers is so that when you go to the workforce, you wake up in the morning and look forward to going to work.” Even in middle school, understanding what you enjoy can make your learning experiences more engaging and set you on a path towards a fulfilling future.
Explore Potential Career Areas
Once you have a better understanding of your interests, the next step is to explore careers that align with those interests. If you’re passionate about sports, you might think about careers like a physical education teacher, a sports coach, or even a sports journalist. If you love math, careers in areas like accounting, engineering, or computer programming could be a good fit.
Remember, these are just starting points. There are countless career options out there, and many combine different skills and interests. Don’t limit yourself! Talk to your school counselors, teachers, and parents about your interests. They can offer valuable insights and suggest career paths you might not have considered. Online resources, like career exploration websites designed for students, can also be incredibly helpful.
Consider the industries that are growing in your local area. Are there tech companies, hospitals, creative industries, or environmental organizations nearby? Learning about the types of jobs available in your community can spark new ideas and help you see the real-world applications of your interests.
Just like Kate Sours, who explored careers related to children and healthcare, keep an open mind. Don’t dismiss a career idea too quickly. “Keep an open mind,” Sours advises, “because with some work, you might think, ‘Oh, that’s a nasty job.’ But when you start exploring it, you might discover, ‘This is cool. I might want to do this.’” Middle school is the perfect time to explore broadly and discover unexpected possibilities.
Do Your Research
After identifying some potential career areas, it’s time to do some research! Resources like the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) are great for older students, but for middle school, you can start with age-appropriate websites and even videos about different careers.
One of the best ways to learn about a career is to talk to people who are actually doing it. Ask your parents, friends, and teachers if they know anyone working in a field that interests you. You might be surprised at the connections you can find. Many professionals are happy to share their experiences and offer advice to students curious about their field.
You can reach out to professionals for informational interviews – these are casual conversations where you ask them about their job, what they like about it, and how they got started. Some professionals might even allow you to shadow them for a day to see what their work is like firsthand. This real-world exposure is invaluable in understanding if a career path truly excites you.
Kate Sours shadowed her aunt, a physical therapist, and attended a nursing camp. These experiences solidified her interest in healthcare. For middle schoolers, think about smaller-scale shadowing opportunities or even just informational interviews. Every conversation and experience will help you build a clearer picture of different careers.
Gain Early Experiences
Job shadowing and informational interviews are great ways to learn about careers, but getting hands-on experience can be even more impactful. While internships as described in the original article might be more common for high school and college students, middle schoolers can gain valuable experiences through volunteering, extracurricular activities, and even part-time jobs suitable for their age group.
These experiences are crucial for figuring out what you enjoy and what you might not like so much. They also help you develop important skills, like teamwork, communication, and responsibility. Remember, even seemingly small experiences can teach you valuable lessons about the working world.
School counselors emphasize that school should always be your priority. “It’s a good idea to get experience while you’re a student,” Hartline says, “but not at the expense of academic success.” Danaher agrees, “School should be your full-time job.” For middle schoolers, this means balancing extracurriculars and other experiences with your schoolwork.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a fantastic way for middle schoolers to gain experience, help their community, and explore different interests. There are countless volunteer opportunities available, from helping at animal shelters and food banks to assisting at community events and libraries.
Volunteering allows you to try out different roles and responsibilities. If you volunteer at a hospital, you might interact with healthcare professionals, which could spark an interest in medicine. Volunteering at a science museum could ignite a passion for science communication. The possibilities are endless!
Beyond exploring careers, volunteering teaches you valuable life skills like empathy, teamwork, and responsibility. It also looks great on future college and job applications, showing that you are proactive and community-minded.
Extracurricular Activities
Participating in extracurricular activities is another excellent way to explore interests and develop skills relevant to different careers. Think about joining clubs related to your passions, such as science club, drama club, debate team, or coding club. These activities allow you to delve deeper into subjects that interest you and connect with like-minded peers.
Extracurriculars also provide opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. Whether you’re organizing a club event, working on a group project, or performing in a play, you’re gaining experiences that are valuable in any career.
Age-Appropriate Jobs
While full-time jobs are not suitable for middle schoolers, there are age-appropriate part-time jobs that can provide valuable work experience. Think about opportunities like babysitting, pet-sitting, lawn mowing, or tutoring younger students.
These jobs teach you responsibility, time management, and customer service skills. Earning your own money can also help you learn about budgeting and saving. Even these early work experiences can contribute to your overall career development by instilling a strong work ethic and valuable life skills.
Prepare for Your Future Education
Career preparation starts in middle school, but it’s a lifelong journey. The education you receive, starting now, is the foundation for your future career options. Focus on building a strong academic base and exploring different subjects to understand what you enjoy learning.
Solid Academic Foundation
Getting a good education in middle school is crucial for future success, no matter what career path you choose. Skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and research, which you develop in your middle school classes, are essential in almost every occupation. By doing your best in your classes, you’re building a strong foundation for future learning and career opportunities.
Laura Inscoe, a dean of counseling, advises, “Starting freshman year, do the absolute best you can in your classes. Start strong and stay strong.” This advice applies to middle school too! Developing good study habits and a love for learning now will benefit you throughout your academic and professional life.
Explore Different Subjects
Middle school is the perfect time to explore a wide range of subjects and discover what truly interests you. Take advantage of different classes offered, from science and math to arts and humanities. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try new things. You might discover a hidden talent or passion that you never knew you had.
Exploring different subjects not only helps you identify potential career interests but also makes you a well-rounded individual. A broad education gives you a wider range of options and makes you more adaptable to the changing job market.
Stay Flexible and Follow Your Curiosity
Remember, career planning is not about making a fixed decision in middle school. It’s about starting a journey of exploration and self-discovery. Be open to new ideas, be willing to change your mind, and most importantly, follow your curiosity.
Schneider reminds us, “There’s always the flexibility to shift course. A career is not a life sentence. If at some point you realize, ‘I don’t want to do this,’ back up and ask yourself the same questions again: ‘What am I good at? What do I like to do?’” This flexibility is especially important in middle school as you are still evolving and discovering yourself.
Danaher encourages students to pursue their dreams, “Put a plan together and go for it, even if everyone else says you’re crazy, or you’ll never make it.” While your dreams might evolve over time, the important thing is to start exploring now, be curious, and enjoy the journey of discovering your future possibilities.
Resources for Further Exploration
Your school and local library are excellent resources for career exploration. There are also many online resources designed specifically for students to learn about different careers.
- Career Exploration Websites for Students: Search online for websites designed for kids and teens to explore careers. Many offer quizzes, videos, and interactive tools to help you discover your interests and learn about different jobs.
- School Counselors: Your school counselor is a fantastic resource. They can provide guidance, resources, and answer your questions about career exploration and future education planning.
- Parents and Family: Talk to your parents and family members about their careers and different jobs they know about. They can offer valuable insights and support as you explore your options.
Starting career planning in middle school is about planting seeds for your future. By exploring your interests, gaining experiences, and preparing for your future education, you’re setting yourself up for a fulfilling and successful career journey. Embrace this exciting time of discovery and enjoy the process!
