Career Connected Learning
Helping students discover who they are, where they’re going, and how their learning connects to life.
The SIEC Career Connected School Certification helps schools build learning environments where students develop identity, belonging, purpose, and future readiness through meaningful, real-world learning.
Grounded in student voice, durable skills, career development, and human-centered design, this work helps schools move beyond isolated career activities toward a more connected and intentional student experience.
Preparing Students for More Than Graduation
Schools today face a growing challenge. Students are expected to make important decisions about their futures while navigating rapid technological, economic, and societal change. To succeed, students need more than academic knowledge. They need clarity about who they are, the skills to navigate uncertainty, and meaningful opportunities to explore their future.
Career connected learning helps schools intentionally build these experiences into everyday learning.
The SIEC Career Connected School model focuses on helping students develop:
• identity and belonging
• durable skills for life and work
• real-world exploration and experiences
• confidence in their future direction
When students understand who they are, see where they can go, and experience belonging within their school community, they thrive in school, work, and life.
This work aligns directly with Indiana’s diploma redesign, employability skills, and work-based learning priorities while strengthening student engagement, instructional relevance, and community partnerships.
Outcomes of Career Connected Schools
Career connected schools create learning environments where students develop identity, purpose, and direction while building the skills needed to navigate an ever-changing world.
This work strengthens student engagement, instructional relevance, and real-world readiness by connecting learning to life beyond school.
Flexible Ways schools Can partner
Schools begin career connected learning from different starting points. Some are introducing new ideas and language, while others are ready to strengthen advising systems, classroom learning, or student experiences.
SIEC provides flexible stages of support that allow schools to begin where they are and grow toward a fully aligned Career Connected School model.
Foundations
Building shared language and awareness
Schools begin developing a shared understanding of student identity, durable skills, and future readiness.
Support may include professional learning, student exploration experiences, and tools that help students reflect on their interests, strengths, and future possibilities.
Outcome: Schools establish common language and begin helping students articulate who they are and what matters to them.
Implementation
Embedding Career Connected Learning into Everyday Learning
Schools begin integrating career connected learning into advising, instruction, and student experiences.
Support focuses on strengthening meaningful student conversations, connecting learning to real-world applications, and helping students explore interests and pathways.
Outcome: Career connected learning becomes part of everyday student experiences rather than isolated events.
Integration & Alignment
Creating System-Level Coherence
Schools deepen implementation and align practices across grade levels, pathways, and student experiences.
Support focuses on strengthening student reflection systems, pathway awareness, and leadership use of student data to guide improvement.
Outcome: Students experience a coherent journey from exploration to informed decision-making.
SIEC Career Connected School Certification
Schools ready to fully implement the model may pursue the SIEC Career Connected School Certification.
This year-long partnership helps schools build a fully aligned system where identity development, advising, instruction, and real-world experiences work together to support every student.
The certification process includes:
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Leadership Launch and Implementation Planning
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Identity and Belonging Professional Learning
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Classroom Modeling and Embedded Coaching
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Career Conversations and Advising Systems
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Student Surveys and Reflection Tools
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Student Showcase Design and Celebration of Self-Discovery
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Evidence Review and Certification
Schools completing the process earn designation as a:
SIEC Certified Career Connected School
This recognition reflects a school’s commitment to building learning environments where students develop identity, purpose, belonging, and readiness for their future.
