Maximizing Pathful's Live Sessions: A Guide for Educators and Everyone Helping Students Become Career Ready

February 22nd, 2025

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Sam Spigel

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Pathful’s Live Work-Based Learning (WBL) sessions are a powerful tool for connecting students with industry professionals and real-world experiences. Educators and workforce professionals can leverage two main types of sessions:

• Pathful Presents and Industry Presents: These are pre-scheduled, easy-to-join sessions either selected by Pathful or one of our Industry Partners, featuring industry experts offering valuable insights into a variety of career paths.
• Request Sessions: Users can have Pathful schedule their own live events, tailoring the experience to their students’ unique needs and interests.

Here’s how different roles can maximize these resources:

• Bridge classroom learning with real-world applications by inviting professionals who use subject-related skills in their careers, like architects for geometry or chefs for chemistry.
• Showcase industry trends and innovations that connect to lessons, such as advancements in AI for computer science or sustainable practices in agriculture.
• Create project feedback sessions where industry experts review student projects, offering authentic feedback and professional perspectives.
• Organize Workplace Tours to workplaces, labs, or studios relevant to your curriculum, expanding students' understanding of potential careers.
• Facilitate Q&A panels with professionals in fields related to course content, deepening students' curiosity and engagement.
• Highlight diverse career pathways by inviting speakers with varied educational backgrounds and career journeys.
• Introduce emerging careers that students may not be familiar with, such as digital marketing specialists or renewable energy engineers.
• Promote interdisciplinary learning by showing how subjects overlap in real-world applications, like math in finance or writing in marketing.

• Help students explore a wide range of career options by guiding them to sessions that match their interests and aptitudes.
• Organize career panels featuring professionals from diverse industries, offering students a broader perspective on potential career paths.
• Connect career interests to educational pathways, helping students understand the necessary qualifications, degrees, or certifications.
• Host college readiness sessions that cover application processes, scholarship opportunities, or tips for first-generation college students.
• Facilitate mentorship programs that connect students with role models who can offer career advice and encouragement.
• Provide networking workshops that teach students how to build professional connections and communicate effectively.
• Arrange career exploration activities that align with students' personality assessments, guiding them toward suitable industries.
• Support personal development by organizing sessions on soft skills, such as communication, time management, and leadership.

• Incorporate sessions into schoolwide initiatives, like career exploration days or themed career weeks that align with district goals.
• Support strategic planning by ensuring sessions align with regional workforce needs and high-demand career sectors.
• Promote equity and access by organizing events that provide all students with exposure to diverse career opportunities.
• Facilitate community partnerships by inviting local businesses and organizations to participate in live sessions.
• Enhance professional development by using sessions for teacher training on industry trends or employability skills.
• Coordinate alumni panels to inspire students with relatable success stories and educational journeys.
• Lead district-wide virtual events that engage students from multiple schools, building a shared learning community.
• Strengthen parent and community engagement by hosting informational sessions on postsecondary planning and career readiness.

• Connect students with professionals in their fields of study, offering valuable insights on career progression and industry expectations.
• Organize alumni panels where graduates share their experiences transitioning from college to career, helping students set realistic expectations.
• Host industry-specific Q&As that allow students to ask detailed questions about job roles, company cultures, and advancement opportunities.
• Arrange networking workshops to help students build professional connections before entering the workforce.
• Facilitate graduate school information sessions to explore advanced education options and application processes.
• Support financial literacy by organizing sessions on budgeting, salary negotiation, and managing student loans.
• Promote career readiness by inviting HR professionals to discuss hiring practices, resume building, and interview preparation.
• Help students navigate nontraditional pathways, such as entrepreneurship or freelancing, by featuring speakers in these fields.

• Introduce clients to emerging job markets and in-demand skills, helping them stay competitive in the job search.
• Provide real-world career insights by recommending Pathful Presents sessions that feature industry professionals.
• Organize mock interviews with hiring managers to help clients practice and improve their interview skills.
• Coordinate resume-building workshops with experts who can offer personalized feedback and industry-specific tips.
• Host career readiness panels focused on essential soft skills, such as teamwork, adaptability, and communication.
• Offer motivational sessions with success stories from individuals who have overcome employment barriers.
• Facilitate networking opportunities by connecting clients with industry mentors and local business leaders.
• Support job retention and advancement by offering sessions on workplace communication, conflict resolution, and career growth strategies.

• Inspire students with relatable role models, particularly those who have overcome challenges or represent diverse backgrounds.
• Promote independence and self-advocacy by hosting sessions that empower students to communicate their needs and goals.
• Facilitate transition planning focused on postsecondary education, employment, and community involvement.
• Arrange mentorship programs connecting students with professionals who share similar experiences or challenges.
• Help students explore inclusive work environments and understand workplace accommodations and advocacy.
• Build community connections by inviting local disability services or community organizations to participate.
• Develop soft skills through workshops on communication, teamwork, and self-advocacy.
• Support parent engagement by organizing informational sessions on available resources and support systems.