Career Development Continuum
Workforce SBCSS leads a county-wide effort to prepare all San Bernardino County students from cradle to career by building a work-based learning system through cross-sector partnerships. Guided by the Career Development Continuum, the department supports diverse, age-appropriate WBL experiences that connect learning to the world of work for every student in San Bernardino County.
Self-Awareness
Foundation Across the Continuum
Students build language for their interests, strengths, and preferences so later career learning feels personal, relevant, and connected to who they are.
Note: This stage supports students throughout the continuum and creates the foundation for awareness, exploration, preparation, and training.
These tools help students reflect on strengths, interests, and personal preferences as they begin to understand themselves.
Career Awareness
Discovering the World of Work
Students gain broad exposure to careers, industries, and postsecondary pathways so they can start seeing the world of work as something concrete and accessible.
Note: Awareness begins with broad exposure and grows into richer experiences as students move from upper elementary through high school.
These opportunities introduce students to careers, industries, and pathways through broad exposure and early discovery.
Middle School
6-8
Career Exploration
Comparing Careers and Pathways
Students move from broad exposure into active exploration, comparing pathways, industries, and experiences that can inform future decisions.
Note: Exploration opportunities deepen in complexity from upper elementary through high school and help students connect interests to possible futures.
These experiences support deeper exploration so students can compare options and connect personal interests to future possibilities.
Middle School
6-8
Career Preparation
Learning THROUGH Work
Students step into applied, work-connected experiences that let them practice industry skills, build confidence, and test readiness in real contexts.
Note: The featured preparation opportunities on this page are currently concentrated at the high school level.
These experiences help students practice workplace skills and apply learning in settings connected to real industry expectations.
Career Training
Learning FOR Work
Students access focused pathway experiences designed to support transition into employment, pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or postsecondary training.
Note: The featured training opportunities on this page are currently mapped to high school and centered on pre-apprenticeship pathways.
These pathways are designed to support students as they prepare for employment, pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or continued training.
