Many students struggle to envision futures they haven’t seen represented. Learn about the importance of exposing students to diverse career paths by integrating career-connected learning into education early, empowering students to explore broader possibilities and pursue their passions.

“You can’t be what you can’t see.” — Marian Wright Edelman

The first time I heard this quote was when I started at Defined, and it struck a chord. Immediately a series of images flickered through my mind like an old-fashioned movie reel: snapshots of students I taught as a teacher, scenes where I was providing career lessons at the elementary level, conversations with high school students about their schedules and life beyond graduation, memories of first-generation high school graduates, and talks with students who had no idea what came after they crossed that graduation stage.

I’m not sure any single statement had ever conjured so many images and memories at once in my professional life. Student after student, scene after scene unfolded through my mind. What a simple, yet powerful statement to capture something I’d encountered time and time again in my work: You can’t be what you can’t see.

I had been a counselor for five years, but it was during my second year at a new school that something eye-opening occurred. While working with a fifth-grade classroom, a conversation about college came up. Based on the questions the students posed and the many misconceptions that followed, I began to dig deeper - asking and probing to clarify what they understood - or didn’t understand - about the subject. A trend began to emerge.

These misconceptions weren't isolated incidents; they were part of a broader pattern. The majority of students came from families where no one had attended college, let alone finished with any type of degree or certificate. Many students didn’t know anyone who even attended further schooling after high school. You can’t be what you can’t see.

I then visited the other fifth-grade classrooms and guided the same conversation, taking note of what the students shared. Only about 30% of them knew someone who had attended college in any capacity, whether completed or not. I realized it was likely they knew individuals enrolled in or with postsecondary education—but weren’t aware of it.

Time to adjust. The following year, we shifted our focus to the future. Tailoring my guidance lessons to different age groups, students were exposed to a variety of career paths. Kindergarten and first-grade students were introduced to a variety of careers. In second and third grade, careers were connected to the skills they were learning in the classroom. Fourth and fifth graders took a peek into the future, discussing dream jobs, setting personal goals, and learning the basics of financial literacy.

I’d start each lesson the same: What career do you think you might be interested in? The answers were always a predictable mix: doctor, nurse, police officer or firefighter, teacher, or athlete (although YouTube Star was on the rise at that time). Occasionally, someone would share a career such as a veterinarian or chef and I would become overly excited that there was a mention outside of the usual suspects. Of course, every so often, a particularly charming student would say they wanted to be a school counselor while smiling at me. Yeah, I’m sure you do.

Why were over 500 students giving the same answers? Broad, familiar categories. These were the careers they knew. These were the careers they saw. You can’t be what you can’t see.

In recent years, we’ve seen a long-overdue shift toward career-connected learning and career readiness. Years ago, I did my best but lacked resources and tools. Now, with advancements in technology and education, students have unprecedented access and can explore career options before choosing a path. This shift is evident in the growing emphasis on authentic learning experiences and real-world connections in classrooms across all grade levels, including the growth of CTE programs that provide students with pathways to successful careers.

When we broaden students’ horizons, we do more than teach them about jobs or careers—we empower them to dream beyond the roles they’ve grown up seeing. By continuing to build on these efforts, we can inspire students to pursue their passions and shape their own futures. After all, you can’t be what you can’t see.

About the Author

Heather McClintic is a Partner Experience Manager at Defined. With over 15 years as a school counselor and teacher, she’s dedicated to empowering educators and has a passion for student success. Heather leverages her deep understanding of education to support partners in implementing effective solutions, achieving their goals, and improving student outcomes.