USA: Employers in Schools
In America, the career guidance system is based on a model comparing the specifics of professions with personality traits. Experts identify these traits through tests designed for children and youth of different ages – from preschoolers to university graduates. Testing also helps assess the level of knowledge and degree of interest in broad-profile areas.
Then the student receives a list of suitable professions and can choose one of them. In high school, there is also a two-year program aimed at developing skills in research, project, management, technological, or production activities. There are additional lessons that allow studying foreign languages, fine arts, computer technology, publishing, and labor.
As part of the career guidance program, companies provide jobs, which makes it possible to conduct a "test drive" of the specialty. For teenagers, there are training and production bases where they can also try themselves in different areas. In addition, children can follow profession ratings and attend meetings with potential employers, which are held monthly in schools.
EU Countries: Children's Career Bureaus
In most European countries, career planning begins in elementary school. For example, there are classes on job search techniques and lecture courses on career development. Children are taught to navigate the world of professions independently and assess themselves considering the labor market situation.
In schools in the UK, Germany, and France, special bureaus operate that provide career and psychological counseling for teenagers. There are career guidance programs in mathematics, natural sciences, management, art, and culture. The program includes theoretical and practical classes, business games, trainings, and meetings with successful entrepreneurs. This allows students to learn how to properly compile resumes and use a special database dedicated to professions.
In the UK, high school students and university students are informed about the state of the labor market and working conditions, and lists of in-demand specialties are compiled for them.
Scandinavian Countries: Mandatory Practice
Some Scandinavian countries stand apart: here the career guidance system is slightly different from the pan-European one. In Finnish schools, for example, there are special lessons dedicated to this area. They start from the 7th grade and necessarily involve practice, during which you can try yourself in a chosen specialty, devoting from one to three weeks to it. In the 8th grade, children begin to study career building issues, and a year later – attend meetings with HR specialists from various companies. If by the end of the 9th grade a student still cannot decide on a choice, they receive help from a career counselor.
In Sweden, there is a career guidance program "Where to Go on the Life Ladder," which helps teenagers better understand their personality traits, interests, inclinations, and talents. Within the program, children are introduced to professions, told about the requirements employers impose, development prospects, and educational trajectories. They can work in a specialty during summer practice or additional courses.
Japan: Self-Analysis on 62 Points
Unlike most countries, where three of the four basic components of career guidance prevail – career education, career counseling, and professional selection – Japan pays special attention to professional adaptation. Starting from the 7th grade, every student here must try 16 different professions to determine whether the nature of a particular job matches their personality and abilities.
When the course is completed, they need to reflect on their conclusions and successes: this can be done together with psychologists and teachers on 62 evaluation points. Based on the obtained index, an individual learning plan is then developed.
Irina AGEEVA.
Based on materials from the website Ucheba.RU