The casual comment of a student who remarked that only the wealthy could go to college prompted third-grade teacher Heather Root of Barnard Elementary School in Rochester, New York, to incorporate a study of careers into her curriculum.

Most educators’ knowledge of careers is often confined to their own firsthand career experiences. Many teachers go from high school to college to the classroom with little work experience outside of their field. This can limit the understanding of the labor market and the application of academic competencies that meet the demands of today’s workforce.

To assist all students in making informed choices, it is essential that educators are knowledgeable about careers and the level of education and skill required in today’s workforce. This includes using problem-based learning methods of teaching to meet the needs of individual students and the demands of the modern and future workforce.