In the years before the internet became the first place everyone began their research, school and academic librarians spent countless hours teaching students from elementary school through graduate school how to read newspaper articles and magazines critically, looking for bias or political leaning. Now, along with helping students understand the differences between information sources and examining them for bias, we must help students figure out if the information sources they've found online are even real.

Middle school is a prime opportunity to engage students in focused career exploration. Students are empowered with a growing sense of self-awareness, and exposure to a variety of careers is crucial at this time. 

Today's digital natives are primarily "tech comfy." Teens may need to show adults how to use SnapChat, but age and experience help adults know more about how to evaluate the content on this platform and other digital spaces.

In order to create critical thinkers who are able to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate digital content, educators must be intentional in preparing  students for 21st century learning. That includes reading content on the screen from a variety of sources—blogs, social media posts, databases, articles, and forums.

Teachers face many challenges when incorporating meaningful career planning lessons into classroom learning, but the most daunting is time. However, with the right resources, and a creative approach, teachers can incorporate meaningful career planning activities that complement their classroom curriculum and empower students as they enter life after high school.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Ask any child that question, and you are bound to get a myriad of responses that range from firefighter to teacher to astronaut. And why not? Childhood is a time of wonder, imagination, and discovery, making this an excellent time to begin supporting career awareness through self-awareness.