Career Exploration

Help students explore careers through hands-on training and gain valuable work experience to prepare for high-demand jobs.
Students dressed in laboratory protective equipment watching an experiment with expanding foam

Middle school is a key time for career exploration, as students face challenges like forming their identity and adjusting to new changes. This is also when they start thinking more abstractly and enjoy teamwork and hands-on learning. Career exploration helps students build skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.

Middle School CTE helps students discover what they’re passionate about and imagine doing what they love. The West Virginia Department of Education offers three programs that let students explore CTE in their classrooms.

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Discover Your Future

Discover Your Future is a middle school course designed to introduce students in 6th – 9th grades to future career opportunities across the 16 career clusters.

What Are The Benefits To Students?

Discover Your Future supports students in becoming more aware of what is available to them within CTE secondary programs and allows them to make more informed decisions about future careers.

A group of teenage students growing seedlings.

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Middle School Agriculture Exploration

Explore the amazing world of agriculture through hands-on projects in the middle school Agriculture Exploration program.

What Are The Benefits To Students?

Students explore exciting careers in agriculture while acquiring practical knowledge through engaging experiments, interactive workshops, educational field trips, and fun team-building exercises.

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The Drone Boyz

The Drone Boyz attend Hamlin PK-8 School in Lincoln County, WV. They have made a resounding mark in the realm of STEM education and aerial drone technology. Known for their exemplary dedication and innovative talent, the Drone Boyz achieved a remarkable feat at the National Aerial Drone Competition, securing the prestigious Excellence Award for the second consecutive year.

Need Career Exploration information for your classroom?

Career Exploration resources for educators, covering the sixteen career clusters are available in Canvas. Sign in required.

Young woman in greenhouse tending to plants

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Download our full guide to CareerTechWV

Explore additional information about programs and curriculum to aid students through their education journey.

Download the Guide

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