Kansas residents are benefiting from a new employment resource that other states may be able to learn from. The Kansas Career Pipeline is a state service that benefits job seekers, employers, educators and students. According to the Pipeline's website, most current job titles are arranged into 16 different categories to help people identify professions closely related to their own interests. Along with identifying career paths of interest, adult job seekers can take assessment tests, learn more about where and how to develop their skills, and apply for job openings. However, the Pipeline's most interesting potential may involve current students. The Wichita Eagle reported recently that all 7th and 10th graders in the city's school district are being required to take the website's career test. Later in their academic careers, area students will take additional tests that match their skills and career interests. The newspaper also noted that in the future, parents will be able to view their childrens' test results online and discuss the tests at teacher conferences. Along with helping students find the right careers, the service also has the potential to help schools keep up with in-demand job skills, especially from nearby employers. One middle school guidance counselor, Pat Ireland, told the newspaper it had been a "refreshing" experience when one student who took the test said she wanted to be an orthodontist when she grew up, as opposed to the athletes and actresses that are more commonly mentioned by her age group.  |