Learning to conduct a career search and to identify career pathways has become an important part of every student's education. Profound business and economic changes now underway in the United States and other industrialized countries are radically altering the workplace. Rather than charting a career path toward a single, long-term goal, individuals will explore multiple career paths and their interrelatedness. This will enable individuals to meet the needs of employers who are assembling workforces that are not only technically skilled and cross-trained but flexible and cost-effective. In this framework an individual who wants to enjoy a quality standard of living must be prepared to make wise career transitions and to continuously learn new skills.

Whether the methodology includes informational interviewing, Internet searches, mentoring, job shadowing, school-to-career initiatives, or cooperative education, these career development standards are appropriate for all students and all program areas and play an increasingly important role in the entire educational system.

Below is an overview of the achievement standards for the career develoment content area. Each achievement standard states the understanding and competency students should attain. Each achievement standard has corresponding performance expectations. Each performance expectation delineates what students need to do to exhibit the knowledge and the skills required to meet the achievement standard. The corresponding performance expectations for each achievement standard are detailed in the publication.
 

I. Self-Awareness
Achievement Standard: Assess personal skills, abilities, and aptitudes and personal strengths and weaknesses as they relate to career exploration and development.
 
II. Career Research
Achievement Standard: Utilize career resources to develop a career information database that includes international career opportunities.
 
III. Workplace Expectations
Achievement Standard: Relate the importance of workplace expectations to career development.
 
IV. Career Strategy
Achievement Standard: Apply knowledge gained from individual assessment to a comprehensive set of goals and an individual career plan.
 
V. School-to-Career Transition
Achievement Standard: Develop strategies to make an effective transition from school to career.
 
VI. Lifelong Learning
Achievement Standard: Relate the importance of lifelong learning to career success.

From the National Standards for Business Education © 2001 by the National Business Education Association, 1914 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191.