Purpose

These exploratory services, conducted individually or in a group setting, are designed to lead students on a journey of discovery wherein they uncover information in two main domains:

One of the most rewarding parts of our work is helping youth identify their interests and abilities. Once captured, this information is like vocational currency. It can fulfill both the employee's career aspirations and the employer's business needs. For this writer, it's like mining for gold.

Just as a pick is a tool for the gold miner, key questions are the counselor's tools to help youth uncover their unique interests, abilities, and accommodation needs. Once these attributes are known, the counselor can use additional key questions to help the students:

Key questions are illustrated in the following graphic. For an accessible version of the graphic, click this link: Discovery Questions.docx

TOOL: Pre-ETS Discovery Questions Document. Click to Print or Download

Supporting Evidence

• According to the Guideposts to Success 2.0 (Office of Disability and Employment, 2020), "Research indicates that completion of these career inventories during middle school better prepares youth to participate actively in meaningful work-based experiences throughout high school and upper middle school grades (i.e., seventh and eighth grade)."
• One study found that students who have been actively engaged in career exploration activities have a clear understanding of the career they want to pursue and were able to describe educational pathways aligned with their goal (Solberg, Gresham, Phelps, & Budge, 2010)