Episode Details

Presented by Jonathan Wren, Director of Magnet Schools, Metro Nashville Public Schools (TN); Giselle Harper, Magnet Schools Assistance Program Curriculum Specialist, Richard Dinkins Early College Magnet Middle School (TN); Allison Karandikar, Magnet Schools Assistance Program Curriculum Specialist, Isaac Litton STEM Magnet Middle School (TN); and Monica Cougan, Global Education Leader

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by Discovery Education.

The webinar recording can be accessed here.

This edWeb podcast focuses on how authentic industry stories can transform career exploration and help students build meaningful connections between classroom learning and the world of work. In this second session of Future-Ready Pathways Series: Connecting Students to Careers, explore instructional strategies that leverage industry professionals—whether through virtual guest speakers, volunteer videos, career spotlights, or platforms like Career Connect—to expand students’ understanding of future pathways.

What educators learn:

• How real-world stories build relevance by showing students how academic concepts appear in actual jobs
• Ways industry voices support identity development as students imagine themselves in future roles
• Workforce skills students can recognize through employee narratives—problem solving, collaboration, adaptability
• How exposure to diverse professionals expands career awareness beyond familiar or traditional pathways
• Methods for highlighting multiple entry points into STEM, biotech, AI, and emerging industries

This edWeb podcast is of interest to K-12 teachers, librarians, school counselors, career coordinators, curriculum and instruction coordinators, school and district leaders, and education technology leaders.

This edWeb podcast is part of Future-Ready Pathways Series: Connecting Students to Careers.

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