Career Exploration
This August 2026 report from RAND examines career-connected learning in U.S. public schools, drawing on nationally representative surveys of school district leaders, principals, and students during the 2025–2026 school year. It explores how schools support college and career planning, career exploration, and work-related learning, and whether students are able to participate in the experiences they intend to pursue.
The findings highlight gaps between students’ plans and their participation in workplace visits, internships, and apprenticeships, along with an emphasis on four-year college pathways that can leave other options underrepresented. The report also examines how schools track career and postsecondary planning and identifies opportunities for education leaders and policymakers to strengthen career-connected learning and better support students with different goals after high school.
The findings highlight gaps between students’ plans and their participation in workplace visits, internships, and apprenticeships, along with an emphasis on four-year college pathways that can leave other options underrepresented. The report also examines how schools track career and postsecondary planning and identifies opportunities for education leaders and policymakers to strengthen career-connected learning and better support students with different goals after high school.
This July 2026 evidence brief from Project Evident synthesizes research across career development, youth development, education, and workforce development to examine what is known about effective career exploration for middle and high school students. It considers the outcomes young people should gain from career exploration and evaluates what existing studies reveal about different practices and program models.
The brief identifies areas where evidence is strongest, highlights gaps in understanding which approaches work best for different students and under what conditions, and outlines priorities for strengthening research, measurement, and continuous improvement. It provides an evidence-focused resource for education leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and funders working to improve career exploration opportunities for young people.
The brief identifies areas where evidence is strongest, highlights gaps in understanding which approaches work best for different students and under what conditions, and outlines priorities for strengthening research, measurement, and continuous improvement. It provides an evidence-focused resource for education leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and funders working to improve career exploration opportunities for young people.
This July 2026 white paper from Project Evident presents findings from an assessment of career exploration in middle and high schools. Drawing on research across youth development, career development, education, and workforce development, along with input from practitioners, researchers, and education leaders, it examines what is known about career exploration and where evidence gaps remain.
The paper identifies key components of high-quality career exploration, including hands-on experiences, relationships with employers and trusted adults, integration with academic learning, and opportunities that build over time. It also outlines priorities for educators, policymakers, employers, and funders to improve the quality, accessibility, and impact of career exploration for young people.
The paper identifies key components of high-quality career exploration, including hands-on experiences, relationships with employers and trusted adults, integration with academic learning, and opportunities that build over time. It also outlines priorities for educators, policymakers, employers, and funders to improve the quality, accessibility, and impact of career exploration for young people.
In this July 2026 practice brief, Project Evident examines the conditions schools and communities need to provide meaningful career exploration opportunities for middle and high school students.
Drawing on research and input from educators, practitioners, researchers, and education leaders, the brief identifies four key areas for improvement: integrating career exploration with academics, strengthening educator and practitioner capacity, building sustained employer and community partnerships, and aligning funding and accountability with student outcomes. It highlights the need for dedicated staff, professional development, coordination across programs, and better data systems to help schools deliver consistent, high-quality experiences that support students’ career awareness and readiness.
Drawing on research and input from educators, practitioners, researchers, and education leaders, the brief identifies four key areas for improvement: integrating career exploration with academics, strengthening educator and practitioner capacity, building sustained employer and community partnerships, and aligning funding and accountability with student outcomes. It highlights the need for dedicated staff, professional development, coordination across programs, and better data systems to help schools deliver consistent, high-quality experiences that support students’ career awareness and readiness.
9Â Ways Schools Can Use Perkins Funds to Strengthen Career ReadinessÂ
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6 Easy Ways to Make Math Relevant Without Replacing Your CurriculumÂ
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Why Career Exploration Can’t Be Treated as “Nice to Have”Â
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Pathway2Careers Selected to Develop Innovative Career-Connected Learning Courses for Schools
This Pathway2Careers report explores the importance of structured career exploration beginning in middle school. Drawing on national research and practical implementation examples, it outlines how early exposure to careers helps students develop self-awareness, connect academic learning to future pathways, and build essential planning skills.
The report offers evidence-informed strategies for embedding career exploration into middle school curricula, school counseling, and advisement systems to support equitable access to postsecondary and workforce opportunities.
The report offers evidence-informed strategies for embedding career exploration into middle school curricula, school counseling, and advisement systems to support equitable access to postsecondary and workforce opportunities.