Opening Young Minds to the World of Work, Starting in Elementary School

By: Dr. Lisa Karch, Strategic Projects Manager, CareerViewXR 

In a world where career paths are changing faster than ever, one state is ensuring that its youngest learners are not left behind. North Dakota is reimagining what career education can look like by expanding access to CareerViewXR, an immersive platform that brings real-world career experiences into classrooms through laptops, tablets, and virtual reality headsets. 

Enabled by a 2025 state investment that received unanimous bipartisan support from the state legislature, this expansion extends CareerViewXR access to all public and private elementary schools across North Dakota, building on an earlier rollout that reached every middle and high school in the state. It represents more than a technology upgrade, it signals a shift in how we think about education. Career-connected learning is no longer something that begins in adolescence; it is becoming a foundational part of the student experience from the very start. 

This raises the question, why start career and technical education in elementary school?  

Ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, the responses are filled with imagination and palpable excitement. Some name real, in-demand roles like farmer or engineer, while others name fantastical roles like superhero, or perhaps even creative, combination roles like cupcake baker/video game designer. At this age, curiosity is limitless, and self-doubt has yet to take hold. 

Yet career and technical education is primarily focused on in middle and high school, after students have already started narrowing their options. By that point, perceptions about who certain jobs are “for,” or whether they are attainable, are already forming. Research shows that early exposure does make a difference. 

Discovery Education’s Education Insights 2024–2025 report found that “introducing opportunities for career exploration early allows students time to engage in activities that support their postsecondary goals and offers flexibility to adjust their paths while the stakes are still low.” Additionally, nearly 80 percent of students surveyed said they wanted more career-preparation resources, and approximately 85 percent wanted greater exposure to different career paths. 

Academic research reinforces this conclusion. In  “The Career Development Needs of Elementary School Students”, researcher Olcay Yavuz highlights theories showing that children begin ruling out careers as early as elementary school. By upper elementary grades, students start eliminating options based on perceived status, stereotypes, or assumptions about their abilities. Once ruled out, many of those paths are never reconsidered. 

Educators in North Dakota have observed this dynamic firsthand. Wayde Sick, Director and Executive Officer of North Dakota Department of Career & Technical Education notes elementary students are naturally curious and eager to connect.  

“They dream big, ask big questions, and imagine endless possibilities,” Sick said.  “Early exposure helps them see what’s out there and connect their interests with real-world opportunities before preconceived notions or self-doubt take root.” 

North Dakota’s investment in increased career development resources is an example for other states. Through collaboration among ND Career and Technical Education, ND Department of Public Instruction, Job Service North Dakota, economic development partners, and employers, North Dakota is building a model that connects education to opportunity in meaningful, modern ways. 

The initiative is designed to grow alongside students. While immersive career experiences are currently accessed through RUReady’s existing career planning tools for older learners, a new elementary-focused RUReady portal is in development. 

When curiosity is at its peak, students are more open to imagining a wide range of futures. By introducing career exploration early, educators can expand what students believe is possible. With the right tools, partnerships, and vision in place, North Dakota is showing how early career-connected learning can empower even the youngest learners to shape their future!

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About the Author

Dr. Lisa Karch brings over 25 years of experience in the education industry, spanning K–12 and post-secondary institutions, including both two-year colleges and four-year universities, with a strong focus on connecting education with business and industry. Her passion lies at the intersection of K–12, higher education, and workforce partners—aligning efforts to support students, adult learners, and job seekers in discovering meaningful career pathways. This commitment is what fuels her excitement to join the CareerViewXR team and expand career awareness and access for learners across North Dakota.

About CareerViewXR

CareerViewXR is an immersive career exploration platform that brings field trips to the classroom through 360-degree web-based tours and companion virtual reality videos. Students and adult job seekers alike can explore engaging tours highlighting in-demand industries like skilled trades, healthcare, energy, and more. Best of all – VR headsets are completely optional; the content is accessible on devices schools already own – including laptops, cell phones, interactive displays, and tablets. Explore more at careerviewxr.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Maddysen Boecker

Communications Manager, CareerViewXR by Be More Colorful

Maddy@bemorecolorful.com

(701) 353-2000 EXT 704