The First Step Career Skills curriculum is adaptable and can be used in classrooms, after-school programs, advisory periods, summer programs, or virtual settings.
Using the Curriculum in Programs
Mentors and pathway program staff can use the First Step Career Skills curriculum to strengthen student readiness and engagement across a variety of program models, including enrichment programs, mentoring cohorts, and career exploration initiatives.
Best Practices
- Use skills as a common language. Refer to skills consistently across activities and experiences.
- Reinforce learning over time. Revisit skills in different contexts rather than treating lessons as one-time events.
- Model the skills. Demonstrate teamwork, ethical decision-making, and communication in your interactions.
- Create space for reflection. Encourage students to connect experiences to skill development.
- Align with program goals. Use the curriculum to support broader educational and career exploration objectives.
The curriculum is designed to complement, not replace, existing program activities. It can serve as a shared foundation across different learning experiences.