The world of “life after high school” can seem scary and overwhelming to a young person. My Scary World was specifically designed to meet middle school students where they’re at - playing video games, hanging out with friends, playing sports, skateboarding - and help them connect those current interests to potential careers and college possibilities in a tangible way as they are entering high school. My Scary World is about starting a conversation that leads middle school students to their future.
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
My Scary World - Introducing Middle School Kids to a World of Opportunity!
1.
2. The world of “life after high school” can seem scary and
overwhelming to a young person. My Scary World was
specifically designed to meet middle school students
where they’re at - playing video games, hanging out with
friends, playing sports, skateboarding - and helping them
connect those current interests to potential careers and
college possibilities in a tangible way as they are enter-
ing high school.
My Scary World is about starting a conversation that
leads middle school students to their future.
3. Instead of asking students to pick from a long laundry
list of careers that they may or may not know any thing
about, My Scary World utilizes common, age appro-
priate activities paired with Holland Code based emo-
tive statements to pair them with careers they could
potentially connect with.
Through this simple yet engaging program, a young
person can be introduced to an abundance of careers
that they might otherwise have never heard of or even
considered.
6. Example: A young student, who happens to be the captain of the
cheerleading squad, sits down to explore My Scary World.
They click on the activity, “Cheerleading” and selected the emo-
tive statement, “I can get the whole crowd cheering.”
Then they are taken to a new screen which lets them know
they’ve connected with a ENTERPRISING Occupation Type.
ENTERPRISING occupations often involve starting up and car-
rying out projects, leading people and making key decisions.
Sometimes they require risk taking and may deal with business.
A long list of potential careers are pulled directly from the ONet
data base, some of which include:
• Travel Guide
• Supply Chain Manager
• Talent Director
• Ship & Boat Captain
• Logistics Manager
...the list goes on and on. We have just informed a young stu-
dent that their leadership, communication and strategic planning
skills, as it relates to cheerleading, could also be the key to their
career path.
7. • The job description page gives students a quick
glance at all relevant elements of a career.
• Students can “favorite” the job for later viewing, or
mark notes about it in an online journal.
8. • When you take a short survey or complete the Lab
Libs, your tailored career results show with a de-
scription of the personality type you likely embody,
helping you find your ideal career
9. • Two surveys give students flexibility in
determining their personality types
• The long survey is driven by ONET and
uses the Holland Codes to determine
personality types
• The short survey (pictured) quickly gives
students a good idea about what jobs
they may like
10. • You can search careers by
Holland Code types to find
jobs that match your personal-
ity profile
11. • Or, search by industry, STE{A}M
careers, or use the advanced
search function to filter even
more specific opportunities
12. • Throughout the site, icons depicting in-
dustry, STE{A}M options and personality
types are reiterated, giving a sense of
continuity to the users
• This icon approach helps familiarize
students with the types of careers they
may be interested in for later use
13. • Student-friendly videos were created to increase
student engagement
• The videos make the site fun to be on, and get stu-
dents excited
14. • The journal page allows students
to document their site exploration
• Gives teachers and parents an op-
portunity to track student interests
15. Student Profiles
Industry Favorites for: acorbelli@gmail.com
Education
Self-Employed
Transportation & Storage
Wholesale/Commercial Sales
Health & CounselingRetail Arts & Entertainment
Government
Manufacturing
Careers Viewed & Total Weighted Career Interest for: acorbelli@gmail.com
Adult Basic & Secondary Education & Literacy
Teachers & Instructors
First-Line Supervisors of Agricultural Crop &
Horticultural Workers
Electromechanical Engineering Technologists
Art, Drama, & Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary
Criminal Investigators & Special Agents
Actuaries
Actors
Architects
Curators
Geographic Information Systems Technicians
Gaming & Sports Book Writers & Runners
Aerospace Engineers
Accountants
Administrative Services Managers
Ambulance Drivers & Attendants
Interior Designers
Stock Clerks, Sales Floor
Adhesive Boding Machine Operators & Tenders
Interest Areas Viewed (from surveys) for: acorbelli@gmail.com
Career Favorites for: acorbelli@gmail.com
Realistic
Conventional
Social
Adapted Physical Education Specialists
Art, Drama, & Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Choreographers
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators & Tenders Stock Clerks, Sales Floor
Ambulance Drivers & Attendants
Aggregated data based on
information on the ONet data base
Let’s parents and teachers know
where their student may be
headed
Helps them plan their high school
courses with better understanding