1. Brott, 2016 College & Career Ready Begins Day 1 EBSCC
College & Career Ready Begins Day 1:
Career Development in the Elementary School
Dr. Pamelia E. Brott
Associate Professor
Virginia Tech – Northern Virginia Center
Falls Church, VA
pbrott@vt.edu
Kindergarten is each child’s first step towards high school graduation. So, let’s be intentional in how we begin this journey through
career development. Career development is a dynamic process where students first learn about themselves, what interests them, what
they are good at, where they are challenged, how to set goals and make informed decisions, and being adaptable. Collaborating with
classroom teachers to meet state standards provide opportunities to bring meaningfulness to student learning. Using a planful approach,
school counselors and the school counseling program are key components helping students to be successful in their life journey.
Objectives
1. Understand how to use theories of career development in an elementary school counseling program.
2. Design an intentional program to support the goal for all students to graduate from high school.
College & Career Ready
Kindergartners fall 2016 will be graduated in 2029
• need to graduate from high school!
• need requisite skills and knowledge
• need to be ready: habits, capacity
Begin at the beginning – Kindergarten
• provide a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate program
• students need to get connected, be engaged, and find meaning
• post-secondary plan starts in kindergarten
• students need
ü self understanding
ü reading and math skills
ü options
ü ability to deal with transitions
It’s Elementary!
• Standards
ü ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors
ü NCDA Career Development Standards
• Framework
ü trait & factor
ü developmental
ü decision making
ü narrative
• Ideas & Resources

2. Brott, 2016 College & Career Ready Begins Day 1 EBSCC
Standards
National Career Development (NCDA) Guidelines Framework
Retrieved from http://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/asset_manager/get_file/3384?ver=16587
American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success
Retrieved from http://schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/home/MindsetsBehaviors.pdf
Structuring a Framework
Trait & factor
• Parsonion
• typology
Developmental
• Super’s life span, life space
• Gottfredson’s
circumscription &
compromise
Decision making
• cognitive information
processing
• social learning
• social behavioral
• values-based
Narrative
• storied approach
• career style

3. College & Career Ready Begins Day 1 Evidence-Based School Counseling Conference 2016
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RESOURCE LIST
American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Mindsets & Task Behaviors
http://schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/home/MindsetsBehaviors.pdf
National Career Development Association (NCDA) Guidelines Framework
http://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/asset_manager/get_file/3384?ver=16587
WEBSITES
Collegeday.org
(Provides lesson plans and resources for all grade levels in developing college readiness skills. Provides information in Spanish. The
My College Backpack activity is located on this site.)
http://www.collegeday.org/
Click Lesson Plans/Resources > Elementary
College Tools for School
(Web-based tool kit used to help develop college readiness skills in California state students but provides great general ideas for
school counselors. Information includes a good example of a university website scavenger hunt, information on financial aid, college
process and preparing and transitioning. The College Mascot Bingo is located on this site.)
http://casn.berkeley.edu/resources.php?r=448&c=3
Click Hands-On Materials, resources and ideas can be accessed under Hand-outs, Curricula/Lesson Plans, and
Delivery/Implementation
Fort Worth Independent School District: Elementary Programs
(Provides general ideas about getting the elementary schools involved in College and Career Readiness. The College Colors Day is
located on this site.)
http://www.fwisd.org/pages/FWISD/Departments_Programs/Departments__A-
K_/College___Career_Readiness/Elementary_College_and_Career_/General_Info
Kids.gov
(Career information for all grade levels. There are videos of different occupations as well as interactive games. Information can be
viewed based on clusters or grades. They offer a YouTube channel.)
http://kids.usa.gov/index.shtml
Kids2College
(A curriculum designed by SallieMae for grades K-5 & 6-8 getting prepared for college.)
http://www.kids-2-college.org/
Click Curriculum Outline or the following link: http://www.thesalliemaefund.org/assets/pdf/initiatives/k2c_curriculum_outline.pdf
Learning for Life: PreK-12 Programs and Career Exploring
(Provides general information on career related clubs that could be applied to the elementary level)
http://www.learningforlife.org/
Click Real-World Career Experiences to review information Middle School Explorer Clubs.
Missouri Center for Career Education
(Begin to explore lessons for all grade levels within the academic, career, and personal & social developmental areas. There is
additional information system support, consultation and collaboration, and evaluations. The Many Faces of Me activity is located
under personal & social development for elementary students.)
http://www.missouricareereducation.org/home.php
Click Counselors (top right corner). Then select lesson plans for academic, career, or personal & social.

4. College & Career Ready Begins Day 1 Evidence-Based School Counseling Conference 2016
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National Office for School Counselor Advocacy (NOSCA)
(Promoting the value of school counselors as leaders in school reform, student achievement, and college readiness.)
https://lp.collegeboard.org/counselor-resources
Click Eight Components> College and Career Exploration, under Eight Components Tools (on the right) > Elementary School Guide for
College and Career Readiness Counseling https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/advocacy/nosca/11b-
4383_ES_Counselor_Guide_WEB_120213.pdf
Naviance
(College and Career readiness source for Virginia school counselors. Allows counselors to help students track their career goals from
middle school to high school resources are also available for elementary students as well.)
http://www.naviance.com/resources
PAWS in Jobland
(Videos, games, and job finders for elementary students. There are interactive games and maps for students to navigate themselves.
PAWs is a dog that helps to navigate through the site. There is also a quiz he help students familiarize themselves with occupations.)
http://www.xap.com/paws/
Pinterest
(General College Readiness ideas for the school counselor.)
http://www.pinterest.com/kfrankele/promoting-college-to-elementary-students/
Sesame
(Tool Kits for counselors and parents. There are interactive games and lessons on jobs, academic skills, thinking skills, and problem
solving. This site also offers information for Spanish speaking families. )
http://www.sesamestreet.org
Virginia Career VIEW
(Virginia’s own website dedicated to education and work for all grade levels as well as parents and professionals. There are game,
career searches, and other great resources that can be printed to assist in career and college readiness for the younger children.)
http://vacareerview.org/
You can choose to click any of the following to take you to other resources geared towards that group: Grades K-5; Grades 6-8;
Parents; and Professionals.
Under Professionals > Grades K-8 Educators to locate the cross walk for standards and associated activities.
Virginia Education Wizard
(A multitude of resources on career and college exploration. Not necessarily for the elementary grade levels but provides great
general information. There are skills and career assessments, career searches, and resume tips and values assessments.)
http://www.vawizard.org/wizard/home
Worldcat.org
(Website to locate books with associated activities that incorporate career concepts. Stories include children with disabilities and
other occupations to help students understand the world of work in their everyday life. Areas of interest include health, social
science, natural science, fine arts, and communications. They offer books for all grade levels.)
http://www.worldcat.org
Click books > search career awareness packet. An entire list of books can be viewed and can be narrowed down to your liking.

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BOOKS
Clough, A. (2009). The career connection: Helping children connect careers, curricula, & community. Chapin, SC: Youthlight, Inc.
Cooper, S. K. (2006). Whose hat is this? A look at hats workers wear-hard, tall, and shiny. Mankato, MN: Picture Windows Books.
Cooper, S. K. (2006). Whose tools are theses? A look at tools workers use-big, sharp, and smooth. Mankato, MN: Picture
Windows Books.
Cooper, S. K. (2006). Whose vehicle is this? A look at vehicles workers drive-fast, loud, and bright. Mankato, MN: Picture
Windows Books.
Curry, J. & Milsom, A. (2014). Career Counseling in P-12 schools. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
DeRiddder, L. M., Drier, H. N., Edmunds, N. A., Gysbers, N. C., Hansen, L. S., Herr, E. L., Hoyt, K. B., Jepsen, D. A., Johnson, G. W.,
Long, T., Katzman, S. E., McDaniels, C., Yost, M. M., & Hanson, R. (1989). Career development: preparing for the 21st century. Ann
Arbor, MI: ERIC Counseling and personnel Services.
Dr. Seuss. (1990). Oh the places you’ll go! New York: NY: Random House, Inc.
Flanagan, A. K., & Rosenberg, H. (1999). Elementary career awareness through literature: A K-2 correlation to the national career
development guidelines. Chicago, IL: Ferguson Publishing Company.
Flanagan, A. K., & Rosenberg, H. (1999). Elementary career awareness through literature: A 3-5 correlation to the national career
development guidelines. Chicago, IL: Ferguson Publishing Company.
Flanagan, A. K., & Rosenberg, H. (1999). Elementary career awareness through literature: A 6-8 correlation to the national career
development guidelines. Chicago, IL: Ferguson Publishing Company.
Jolin, J., Randolph, D., & Vogt, P. (1999). How to…Careeer development activities for every classroom (2
nd
ed.). Madison, WI:
University of Wisconsin.
King, L. (2007). Making the link: Helping children link school habits with the world of work, grades 2-5. Chapin, SC: Youthlight, Inc.
Warminster, PA: Mar*co Products, Inc.
McLaughlin, M., & Peyser, S. (2001). Career development activities for elementary grades: Relating academic areas to the world
of work. Minneapolis, MN: Educational media Corporation.
Michigan Department of Career Development. (2001). It’s elementary! Introducing Michigan’s career pathways! Part 1. Lansing, MI:
Michigan Occupational Information System-Career Services.
Michigan Department of Career Development. (2001). It’s elementary! Introducing Michigan’s career pathways! Part 2. Lansing, MI:
Michigan Occupational Information System-Career Services.
Parramore, B., & Hopke, W. (). Early occupational awareness program: For kindergarten and grades one and two (2nd ed.).
Chicago, IL: Ferguson Publishing Company.
Pope, M., & Minor, C. W. (Eds.). (2000). Experiential activities for teaching career counseling classes and for facilitating career
groups. Tulsa, OK: National Career Development Association.
Readers Digest Children’s Books. (2007). Fisher-Price Little People: Welcome to our town: A look-inside book. Pleasantville, NY:
Reader’s Digest Children’s Books.

6. College & Career Ready Begins Day 1 Evidence-Based School Counseling Conference 2016
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Sahlin, J. A. (2006). Career for me. Warminster, PA: Mar*co Products, Inc.
Trent, J., Trent, C., Smalley, G., & Smalley, N. (1992). Helping kids understand their personality: The treasure tree. Nashville, TN:
Tommy Nelson, Inc.
Vandawalker, M. (2000). A career-game program for grades 2-5: What could I be.
Wosnik, D. (2010). Journeys to jobs: Story, lessons, & activities on career choices. Warminster, PA: Mar*co Products, Inc.
GAMES
Dicks, C. S., & Myrick, R. D. (1999). The counselor’s corner, A career development program for children: a comprehensive school-to-
work and character education approach for elementary school. Minneapolis, MN: Educational Media Corporation. (Topics include:
Positive Attitude, Communication, Wellness, Honesty, Decision Making, Cooperation, Responsibility, Respect, and Motivation.)
Ekbom, C. W. (2001). What’s your story? A projective card sort for children and adults. Minneapolis, MN: Educational Media
Corporation.
Lee, Mable. (1997). Career Bingo II. Warminster, PA: Mar*co Products, Inc.
Lifestories. (1992). Pomona, CA: Talicor, Inc.
Vanderawlker, M. (1998). Career pay day: A career awareness game for use with students in grades 4-12. Warminster, PA: Mar*co
Products, Inc.
Wendt, M. (1994). Dinocards. Wisconsin Career Information System, Careers Productions.
SUGGESTED SOURCES
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com
Marco Products http://marcoproducts.com
National Center for Youth Issues http://www.ncyi.org
Youth Light http://www.youthlight.com