Schmidt Associates

Classroom B 131: Schmidt Associates | Career Readiness and Beyond

Goal:

The goal of a Career Readiness Classroom is to prepare students with the skills, knowledge, and mindset they need to successfully transition from school into the workforce, higher education, or career technical (CTE) training programs. This preparation goes beyond academic learning to focus on practical, real-world competencies, bridging the gap between school and life after high school or postsecondary education. Career readiness can equip students with the tools and confidence they need to enter and thrive in the workforce. Our goal is to create environments that foster engagement and enthusiasm, cultivating student interest in CTE programming.

This space is designed to show how furnishings that support career technical education programming can be easily integrated into an existing space. Vignettes have been created to represent some of the most popular technical programs across the country. These thoughtfully curated pieces offer flexibility and adaptability, offering implementation across grade levels. We hope this space will spark curiosity and engagement!

 Focus:

The focus of the career readiness classroom in the K-12 environment is to introduce students to the basic skills and tools needed to accompany a specific career track. As students progress through the program, their understanding of key concepts through hands-on experience deepens and propels them toward success in post-secondary education, training and beyond. A successful career readiness classroom can align the pathways between academic learning and the evolving demands of the workforce, ensuring students leave prepared, adaptable, and empowered in their future pursuits.

This type of environment emphasizes real-world application and practical life skills, preparing students to transition from school to career with confidence. It equips them with a clear understanding of employer expectations and the ability to successfully navigate professional environments or pursue further education and training.

These technical areas of study provide students with opportunities to investigate various career pathways, industries, and emerging fields.

Impact:

The transferable skills gained from the classroom extends beyond preparing students for immediate employment after high school; it cultivates the mindset and direction necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving world. This impact reaches beyond the individual learner, benefitting schools and the broader community.

Students can develop workplace habits such as time management, teamwork, and communication as well as problem-solving abilities needed to thrive in dynamic environments. The career readiness classroom equips students with direction to succeed beyond graduation, while strengthening schools and contributing to the long-term vitality of the community and workforce.

Partners:

• Schmidt Associates

• Steelcase

• Smith Systems

• Business Furniture

• Mohawk Group