Humans are wired to love stories. We read books, listen to podcasts, watch TV shows and movies, and pass on viral videos—all to make each other laugh, cry, or illustrate a point through stories.
So, it’s little surprise that stories also offer enormous potential for deepening students’ engagement in their day-to-day learning.
True Story: How Stories Inspire Student Learning
Hearing how real people found their way into meaningful careers enables learners of all ages to understand the value of what their educators are teaching, what their textbooks are explaining, and what their homework is challenging them to think critically about.
Beyond offering inspiration, career stories motivate students to take specific, practical steps forward. They help students see how mastering academic skills, persisting past challenges, and obtaining credentials can lead to career opportunities and lifestyles that feel both desirable and achievable.
It’s a proven approach, grounded in educational theory. According to constructivist models and theories, students learn more effectively when they can connect academic content to real-life examples. Exposure to a broad range of occupations builds a framework for understanding not just what jobs exist but precisely what skills and credentials matter.
Jothum Stallings’ story illustrates this well. Now a plumbing and mechanical systems inspector, Stallings was once a high school student uncertain about his future. His mother introduced him to a local plumber, sparking a conversation that changed his outlook on school and work. Today, we’d call that an informational interview. For Jothum, it was a turning point. He earned his diploma, completed training, and built a career in the trades. He now shares his story with students, motivating them to pursue an education so they can establish a career they find rewarding, whether or not that’s in plumbing, mechanical systems, or a different in-demand role.
How Pathway2Careers Integrates Stories with Curriculum
That idea, “if a student can see it, they can be it”, is central to the mission of Pathway2Careers (P2C) and the solutions we design. By enabling educators to help students connect classroom learning to real-world applications and career goals, we’re fueling not just the future prosperity of individual students, but the economies of whole communities.
“Our work focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty through education,” founder and CEO Dr. Joseph Goins says. “We provide resources and support to help students see career pathways that offer a better future for themselves and their families.”
Our curriculum and tools break down barriers to opportunity by showing students what’s possible and how to get there. We also believe career awareness is an equity issue. When students are equipped with knowledge about high-value, high-demand careers (especially those growing in their local community) they gain more than information; they gain agency.
Expanding Career Awareness Through Narratives
That’s why we’ve recorded over 300 career story interviews across all 14 national Career Clusters of The National Career Clusters® Framework.
These authentic narratives are integrated directly into P2C Math curriculum and P2C Career Explorer, helping students see how what they’re learning in the classroom applies to jobs they may be interested in. Students hear from architects, engineers, tradespeople, data analysts, and more.
These high–value careers span a wide range of skills, formal education requirements, and workplace environments. But, despite the diversity of working environments and responsibilities, there’s a common thread among each story: they showcase a storyteller’s real experiences and honest reflections.
Many interviewees share that they didn’t know their current job even existed when they were in high school. Others encourage students to develop soft skills, build financial literacy, and remain open to learning throughout their entire lifetime. Some emphasize the growing demand for skilled professionals in their industries and their desire to help address talent shortages. All of them want to give back to the next generation of workers.
These stories also help level the playing field. Students who lack access to professional networks or firsthand knowledge about career options gain valuable insight through storytelling. When paired with localized labor market data, this content becomes a powerful tool for helping students understand which jobs are growing in their region and which pathways will get them there.
See a Career Story in Action
This preview—of a digital geometry lesson about Applying the Pythagorean Theorem—shows how students encounter real professionals throughout the P2C Math curriculum. It includes a Career Story featuring Jothum Stallings, who discusses his journey to becoming a plumbing and mechanical systems inspector.
Want to see the complete lesson, which includes key terms, problem-solving exercises, and assessments? Contact us.
