Why Career Readiness Matters Now More Than Ever
When I first entered education, our focus was primarily on getting students to graduate. And while that remains a core goal, today’s world demands something more. It’s not just about crossing the stage with a diploma—it’s about stepping into the world with skills, confidence, and clarity about what comes next. As a principal and former superintendent, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is that we, as educators, prepare students not just for college, but for careers—and for life.
“Career readiness” isn’t a buzzword. It’s a responsibility. I am very impressed by our local career center and the opportunities that they provide for students in our regional office of education of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. We owe it to our students to help them connect what they learn in school to what they’ll need in the workforce, whether they pursue a trade, go to college, or start their own business. If we want our classrooms to matter beyond the bell schedule, we must start building intentional bridges between K–12 education and the demands of today’s economy.
From Textbooks to Toolkits: Teaching Real-World Skills
One of the biggest gaps I see between school and the workforce is in the kinds of skills we prioritize. Traditional academics are important, but employers today are also looking for adaptability, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. These “soft skills” are anything but soft—they’re foundational to success in nearly every career field. Taking more field trips to get students into the real world to see what the world has to offer at a younger age and surveying them is critical to helping them decide what direction they want to go.
In my leadership roles, I’ve worked with teachers to embed these competencies into everyday lessons. That might look like group projects where students have to navigate deadlines and delegate tasks. It could be presentations that require them to think on their feet and speak clearly. It might even be peer feedback sessions that build emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
We also need to expose students to financial literacy, time management, resume building, and digital communication. These aren’t optional extras—they’re essentials for the world they’re walking into.
Partnering With Local Businesses and Industry Leaders
Schools shouldn’t operate in a vacuum. If we want students to understand the workforce, they need opportunities to connect with it while they’re still in school. We are currently working on building our work study program and working on allowing students to perform work study’s and internships with duel enrollment at school to build their skills and to open more doors for them after they graduate high school.
One approach we’ve championed through our guidance counselor and local career center is developing partnerships with local businesses, trade organizations, and community colleges. These relationships open doors for job shadowing, internships, mentoring programs, and classroom visits from professionals across industries. It’s one thing to read about a career—it’s another to see someone living it.
These partnerships also help us as educators. By staying in touch with industry trends, we can align our curriculum to reflect what employers are actually looking for. It also helps our students visualize future pathways they may never have considered—especially those who don’t see a traditional four-year college as their next step.
Expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) Opportunities
Career and Technical Education programs are one of the most powerful tools we have for preparing students for life after high school. I’ve seen students who were disengaged in traditional classrooms thrive when given the chance to work with their hands, solve real problems, and see the direct impact of their learning. We are fortunate to receive federal funds through the Perkins grant along with Illinois State Board of Education funds through the CTEIG grant for Career and Technical Education programs. We use these funds to support and grow our current CTE programs within our schools.
But too often, CTE is viewed as a “second-tier” option, instead of the valuable and rigorous path it is. As school leaders, we must actively shift that narrative. We need to expand access to CTE, invest in modern equipment and facilities, and promote these programs with the same energy we devote to AP courses or college prep.
When done right, CTE not only prepares students for high-demand jobs—it also teaches them purpose, professionalism, and pride in their work.
Creating Clear Pathways, Not Just Options
Career readiness isn’t about handing students a list of job titles and telling them to pick one. It’s about helping them discover what they’re good at, what excites them, and what kind of life they want to build.
To do this, we need to create pathways, not just options. That means helping students explore careers early—starting in middle school—and then guiding them through a sequence of coursework, experiences, and mentorships that deepen their knowledge and skills over time.
Whether it’s a health sciences track, an agriculture pathway, or an entrepreneurship program, these sequences should be intentional and supported by both the school and the community. We also need to ensure students have opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials or dual credit—so that by the time they graduate, they’re not just ready to learn, but ready to work.
Involving Families in the Process
Families are our partners in preparing students for life after graduation. But many parents aren’t familiar with the full range of career opportunities available—or how schools can support their child’s journey toward them.
That’s why I make it a point to involve families in the conversation. Whether it’s through career nights, open houses, or individual planning meetings, we invite parents and guardians to learn about different pathways and help their students make informed choices. A strong school-to-career pipeline requires strong communication with the people who know our students best. Utilize a school newsletter is a great way that we get information out not only to parents but also out to the entire school community about all of the great happenings occurring in our school district.
Measuring Success Differently
If we’re serious about career readiness, we need to rethink how we measure success. Graduation rates and test scores tell part of the story—but what about job placement, credential attainment, or satisfaction with career pathways?
At the schools I’ve led, we’ve worked on building systems that track not only who finishes high school, but what they do afterward. Did they find meaningful work? Did they go on to college or the military? Are they using the skills we helped them develop?
These questions help us improve our programs and ensure we’re truly preparing students for the world outside our walls.
Our Responsibility to the Future
Education has always been about preparing the next generation. But in today’s rapidly changing world, that preparation looks different. It means helping students leave school not just with knowledge—but with a direction.
When we build career-ready classrooms, we honor our role as educators, mentors, and community leaders. We help students move from uncertainty to opportunity. And we strengthen not just individual futures—but the future of our workforce, our economy, and our world.
As principals and school leaders, we have the power—and the responsibility—to make that vision a reality.