Have you ever marveled at the sheer number of possible career paths available to today's students?  There are so many options out there that students can't possibly know about them all well enough to make informed decisions about their futures.  How is a child from a small farming town supposed to gain experience, interest, and understanding in the field of structural engineering?  As the Washington Post reports, the opportunity may come in the form of summer enrichment or intership programs offered through the collaborative efforts of public high schools and local colleges and universities. 

Sure, some students have not only the access but also the know-how to follow up on possible career choices for themselves, but there are so many career opportunities that are just not presented into the scope that many students don't find their fit until later in their college careers.  Other careers require experience and time served in different fields before their are even accessible.  But without the knowledge of their existence student's won't even know which direction to pursue.

I am a big fan of the summer enrichment opportunities that allow kids to explore a variety of different academic interests in a non-threatening, non-GPA-affecting manner.  Kids are given the chance to experiment with different career options before making a long-term, expensive committment.  Local business and corporations would be wise to consider developing programs that allow students the opportunity to glimpse the a "day in the life" of whatever their company specializes in.  It's a win/win for the company because it build community relations and potentially assists in recruiting future employees that are well-suited for the job.