Preparing Students for What’s Next—Before They Leave Our Classrooms

Across Ohio, opportunity is expanding. New industries are emerging, workforce demands are shifting, and employers are looking for talent with both technical knowledge and durable skills. At the same time, many students are still navigating school without a clear understanding of how their learning connects to what comes next.

For Ohio’s education leaders, this creates a pivotal moment—not just to respond, but to redesign how students experience learning and prepare for their futures.

In a recent episode of At the Table, Rob Gonda, Director for College and Career Success at the ESC of Central Ohio, explored how schools can move beyond isolated career experiences and toward a more intentional, system-wide approach to readiness. At the core of that shift is a simple but powerful goal: helping students make informed choices about their futures.

As Gonda shared, “Every student is going to have a career. What we are trying to do is make sure that those students go into a career they want to go into, not a career that chooses them.”

Moving Beyond Exposure to Real Experience

For years, career exploration has often been treated as an add-on—something that happens during a designated week or through a one-time event. While those moments can spark interest, they rarely provide the depth students need to make meaningful decisions. What is changing is a shift toward sustained, hands-on experiences that allow students to explore pathways over time.

“Pre-apprenticeships are an absolutely wonderful opportunity…to really get to kids’ interests where they are able to explore something and figure out if they like it, not like it,” Gonda explains.

These experiences give students the chance to test ideas, build skills, and gain clarity—turning curiosity into direction.

Relevance as a Driver of Engagement

As districts expand these opportunities, one theme continues to surface: students are more engaged when learning feels connected to real life.

That relevance can take many forms—whether it is connecting classroom content to real-world applications or providing opportunities to experience careers firsthand. For some students, relevance comes through academic challenge. For others, it comes through applied, hands-on learning that makes abstract concepts tangible. Either way, the outcome is the same: increased engagement, stronger connections, and a clearer sense of purpose.

Rethinking the Final Years of High School

This shift becomes especially important in the final years of high school. As more students complete graduation requirements earlier, districts have an opportunity to rethink how time is used—and how those experiences prepare students for what comes next. “What does that junior and senior year of high school really look like…what other experiences can we give them that will continue to college or maybe right into employment?” Gonda asks.

Across the state, this is leading to expanded internships, pre-apprenticeships, and opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials—transforming these years into a bridge between school and future pathways.

Strengthening Partnerships to Expand Opportunity

Creating these opportunities requires strong, intentional partnerships. Districts are increasingly working alongside businesses, career technical centers, and higher education institutions to design experiences that reflect real workforce needs.

But success depends on clarity. As Gonda points out, “What does this look like when I’m working with a 16-year-old…how am I able to give them an experience?”

When schools and partners define those experiences together—starting small and building over time—opportunities expand in ways that are both meaningful and sustainable.

The Evolving Role of Educators

As this work grows, so does the role of educators. Teachers are helping students connect learning to life, explore possibilities, and navigate decisions about their futures—often in small but impactful moments.

“When little Tim is in the hallway…have you ever thought about doing this? Let me tell you about this experience that I had,” Gonda shares.

Those everyday interactions can shape how students see themselves—and what they believe is possible.

Building a System That Reaches Every Student

While strong examples of career-connected learning exist across Ohio, the next step is building coherence.

“It cannot be left to a class that a student selects. It must be exposed to all students,” Gonda emphasizes.

Listen and watch the full interview in Episode 26: Building Futures: Career Pathways for Ohio Students, on At the Table.