Helping Pennsylvania Students Explore Career Opportunities Before Graduation

aired; November 9, 2026 Students can’t pursue careers they don’t know exist. That’s the idea behind Career Awareness Preparation, an effort to connect students with employers, education programs and professionals so they can explore different industries before graduating from high school. The Partnership for Career Development is bringing together students from 12 schools, education leaders, industry representatives and lawmakers at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to highlight the importance of those opportunities and the partnerships that make them possible. On The Spark, we’ll talk with Lynda Sims-Morris, president and CEO of the Partnership for Career Development, State Rep. Justin Fleming and Tom Palisin, executive director of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association. We’ll discuss how early career exploration can help students make informed decisions about life after high school, while also helping Pennsylvania prepare its future workforce.