Elementary students are innately curious. They enjoy exploring, wondering, and making connections. They like to solve problems and help others as they learn about the world around them. This curiosity has tremendous power in a student's learning and development. It can help them to discover what they enjoy, what they find interesting, and who they are.

That same curiosity can open the door to career questions and conversations. Everyday learning, play, and classroom activities can become opportunities to help students connect what they enjoy and do well with career possibilities. By starting these conversations early, educators can help students build a stronger understanding of their interests and strengths, giving them more time to explore how those might connect to future learning and careers.  

Shifting the Question

One simple change in the questions we ask can help students think differently about their futures. The familiar “What do you want to be?” can unintentionally make students feel like they should choose a career before they have had time to explore a diversity of options. Most elementary students have only been exposed to a small number of careers, often through their family, television, or social media. They need opportunities to discover all of the possibilities that are available to them before they can meaningfully answer that question. 

Shifting the question to “What are you curious about?” can broaden the conversation. Students can talk about topics that interest them, questions they are wondering about, and new ideas they want to explore. 

And sometimes, educators do not even need to ask students questions to learn this information. By paying attention to what students gravitate towards throughout the year—books they choose at the library, preferred classroom activities, favorite subjects, choices during free time, and the types of questions they ask—educators can learn valuable clues about students’ interests and strengths that provide easy starting points for career conversations. 

From Curiosity to Career Learning

Using curiosity as an entry point can help educators to shape meaningful learning experiences for students. It also gives students a natural way to begin connecting how their questions and interests connect to the world beyond the classroom. Use quick, timely moments woven into existing lessons to grow curiosity into career learning opportunities. 

• Start with the questions students are wondering about. These might be questions asked about books they are reading or questions asked during learning conversations. Sometimes, even an unrelated student question can lead to a valuable conversation in the future. Take note of these questions and wonderings as your work with students. 

• Connect students’ questions to quick introductions of careers, either in the moment or at a later time. Point out the types of workers who are exploring answers to the same questions students are asking. Partner with the librarian to find books or videos about these careers and make them accessible for students.  Whenever possible, share multiple career paths tied to students’ questions and interests. 

• Create opportunities for students to explore interests. For careers that spark excitement among students, consider inviting a career representative to talk with students, sharing a video of work in action, or creating a classroom project where students can utilize skills similar to those in a particular career. These experiences can give students a chance to investigate their interests and ask new questions.

When Educators Are Curious, Too

One of the most powerful ways educators can support and grow student curiosity is to model it in and out of the classroom. Wonder aloud as learning is happening. Notice things when you are outside. When a student asks a question that you are unsure of, get curious along with them, and work together to find an answer. This collective curiosity generates joy, enthusiasm, and motivation for learning. It also helps students to see that their questions can lead to something. Wondering and exploring can become opportunities to investigate, learn new skills, and make connections beyond the classroom—sending the message to students that their curiosity can drive their learning, choices, and future plans.