In today’s rapidly evolving world shaped by AI and emerging technologies, preparing students for an uncertain future requires more than traditional career readiness. This article explores the importance of career-connected learning, highlighting strategies and tools that empower students to develop the skills, adaptability, and purpose they need to thrive in the workforce of tomorrow.

We are seeing such a rapid transformation in the world of technology that is impacting our work as educators and the workforce. AI and all of its advancements, automation, and emerging technologies are continuing to redefine the career outlook which makes it hard to predict what the jobs of the future will be and what it means to be career-ready.

I often look to the World Economic Forum to see the top ten skills in demand so that I can find ways to prepare students for whatever careers may be available in their future. We’ve been preparing students to develop a variety of skillsets that will help them to be more successful, even without knowledge of what jobs will exist in five, ten, or more years down the road. Preparing students to be flexible is the best that we can do. Connecting students to real-world opportunities today will provide them with experiences that will lead to success in the future, especially as careers our students may be interested in may not exist in a few years, plus careers that don’t yet exist may be the ones most in demand.

With technology, they will need to understand how to use it appropriately and continue to build their technological literacy skills to be prepared. Bringing in career-connected learning is a necessity so that all students have opportunities to explore careers of interest.

Redefining Career Readiness

In the past, “career readiness” meant preparing students with a solid academic foundation and the 21st-century or future-focused skills, many of which were soft skills. In today’s world, this is still essential, but it also means equipping students with adaptability, digital literacy, ethical reasoning, and the ability to navigate complex technologies, often powered by AI. Fortunately, there are online career learning programs, such as Defined Careers, which offer educators an innovative and engaging approach to introduce students to different professions, ignite their passion, and empower them to design and shape their future.

Preparing students means they not only need to know how to collaborate and communicate with one another, but they also need to understand how to use technology like ChatGPT and other generative AI to brainstorm ideas, serve as a thought partner, or access, analyze, and evaluate information they receive. Jobs are increasingly requiring employees who are skilled in AI, so we need to prepare students in our classrooms now.

Our classrooms should provide spaces where students have time to explore their interests, develop critical skills, and dream big, filled with experiences that will enable them to see themselves as creators, innovators, leaders, and contributors to a rapidly changing world, especially in an increasingly technological environment. Career-connected learning is about relevance, purpose, and real-world experience. When we design hands-on activities for our students that simulate real-world scenarios, we spark curiosity and guide students to discover what their interests may be. With more intentionality bringing it into our classrooms, we will better empower and prepare our students for what lies ahead in the careers of the future.

What does career-connected learning include?

1. Projects, including PBL, that connect or relate to community or industry needs
2. Integration of emerging technologies like AI and data science
3. Authentic tasks that are built upon real-world scenarios
4. Partnerships with local businesses, universities, or nonprofits
5. AI, coding, and cybersecurity challenges

The most important element in all of this is the development of student agency. When students see a connection between what they’re learning and opportunities in the world of work, their motivation increases, and retention of the content will improve.

Why It Matters More Than Ever

The World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs” report predicts that by 2027, over 85 million jobs will be displaced due to automation and AI, but another 97 million will emerge. These roles will demand higher-level cognitive skills, digital agility, and ethical decision-making. Roles like AI ethics consultants, digital twin designers, and data privacy advocates are already in demand. But most high school students have never heard of them.

The World Economic Forum also projects that by 2027, more than half of all workers will require reskilling. Meanwhile, fields such as cybersecurity, AI development, and green energy are experiencing a surge in demand.

The skills that will be needed are evolving. Critical thinking and emotional intelligence are on the rise. In my recent keynote sessions, I often ask audiences to imagine the jobs that didn’t exist five years ago: AI prompt engineer, virtual reality architect, ethical technologist. These are real jobs, and many of the jobs that will be created remain unknown.

So the question becomes, are we preparing students to fill them?

Career-connected learning is our bridge between what students are learning and what the world will need. If we want to build tomorrow’s skills in our classrooms today, we need to think about shifting mindsets and opportunities now. Here are some strategies I share when working with districts and leadership teams:

• Create Interdisciplinary Learning Experiences: Design career-connected modules across different subjects. Math + art = data visualization. ELA + CS = ethical storytelling with AI.
• Leverage AI Tools to Design Career-Ready Tasks: Tools like Eduaide, Kira Learning, Knowt, MagicSchool AI, and Brisk Teaching can help educators create simulations and career scenarios aligned with workforce demands, without doubling planning time.
• Partner with Industry and Community Organizations: Reach out to local businesses, universities, and nonprofits for guest speakers, job shadowing, mentorships, and project feedback. Offer mentorship, career days, project feedback, or short-term internships—even virtually.
• Empower Students to Teach and Lead: Let students lead tech help desks, create digital safety campaigns, or tech lessons for staff.
• Engage in Challenges: KnoPro challenges provide valuable opportunities for high school students to “try out” different career paths, learn in-demand skills, and even earn cash prizes by completing real-world tasks. Challenges run all year long and change every few months.

A Human-Centered Future

Career-connected learning isn’t just about the development of skills. It’s about helping all students answer, “Who am I? Where am I going? And how can I make a difference?”

As we prepare students for a future shaped by AI, automation, and other emerging technologies, we must also focus on essential human skills. We are helping students to become problem solvers and change-makers, and to do so, we need to provide a variety of career-learning and real-world experiences for all students.

About the Author:

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth is an award-winning educator, attorney, and international speaker with nearly 30 years in education. She is the author of ten books; her most recent books are “How to Teach AI?” and “What the Tech? An Educator’s Guide to AI, AR/VR, the Metaverse and More!” Rachelle consults with school districts across the U.S. on AI integration, cybersecurity, digital citizenship, and future-ready learning and provides keynotes. Follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and connect on LinkedIn.