To accomplish the vision of a knowledgeable and skilled workforce, career development must begin as early as preschool and function on a continuum throughout one’s life. In Mississippi, this continuum provides exposure, instruction, and learning to help students understand the emerging workplace's changing academic and skill requirements, make sound decisions during career development and become lifelong learners. The continuum includes grade-specific phases with activities that expose students to various engagement opportunities. The four phases are:
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Phase 1: Career Awareness (Grades K-5)
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Phase 2: Career Exploration (Grades K-8)
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Phase 3: Career Preparation (Grades K-12)
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Phase 4: Career Training/WBL (Grades 9-12)
Perkins V defines work-based learning (WBL) as “sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent practicable, or simulated environments at an educational institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required in a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction.” According to this definition, the WBL experiences exist in the career development continuum's Career Training/WBL stage. Students participating in these Phase 4 WBL experiences engage in hands-on learning, take on new roles and responsibilities, develop relationships with trusted adult mentors, and connect to broader social and professional networks.