Middle school career programme, Grades 6 to 8
Students build self-awareness, motivation and study skills, and prepare for high school subject choices. There is no pressure to pick a career.
Overview
What the programme does
Middle school is a formative stage. Students begin to learn who they are, how they learn and what they enjoy. The programme looks at strengths, learning styles, interests, temperament and early career pathways.
Support comes through one-to-one counselling, group workshops, assessments and work with teachers and parents. The counsellor guides students through:
- discovering strengths and talents
- building motivation and good study habits
- exploring early career interests
- learning about fields in simple, age-appropriate ways
- developing emotional and social skills
- preparing for subject selection in Class 8
- deciding high school options
Year-by-year roadmap
| Class | Theme | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Class 6 | Awareness year | Discovering strengths; Multiple Intelligence introduction; learning style identification; basic SEL and motivation; introduction to career clusters; study skills and habits |
| Class 7 | Exploration year | Temperament and personality; emotional intelligence basics; communication and teamwork; early career exposure sessions; motivation and well-being; project-based learning sessions |
| Class 8 | Decision year | Holland Test (RIASEC); MAPP introduction where applicable; subject selection guidance; aligning strengths with subjects; study strategy for high school; career paths explained; parent-student guidance meetings |
Counsellor
The middle school career counsellor
The counsellor does not force career choices. The counsellor helps students understand themselves, build habits and skills, explore early interests, grow emotionally and socially, and get ready for high school.
- Supports self-discovery: strengths, interests, learning style, temperament and early career clusters.
- Builds motivation and study habits: routines, responsibility, and managing screen time and distractions.
- Gives academic and behavioural support: focus, learning barriers, problem-solving, teamwork, stress and emotions.
- Delivers group workshops: multiple intelligences, learning styles, personality, emotional intelligence, teamwork, subject and career awareness, study skills.
- Guides subject selection in Class 8: choosing subjects, linking strengths to pathways, preparing for high school, and simple early university awareness.
- Works with parents: shares insights, explains assessment results and suggests ways to support routines and communication.
- Works with teachers: tracks progress, understands classroom behaviour, plans support and encourages clubs.
- Builds a positive school climate where students feel safe, valued, confident, supported and motivated.
The counsellor's promise: to support students academically, emotionally and personally, and help them build confidence and plan their future.
Assessments
Career and personal development assessments
All assessments are age-appropriate and simple. They help students understand themselves and help counsellors and parents give focused support.
Core tests by class
- Multiple Intelligence Test (Class 6 to 7): natural talents, learning strengths, preferred activities and areas to improve. Guides study strategies and club choices.
- Learning Styles Assessment (Class 6 to 7): visual, auditory, kinaesthetic or reading/writing.
- Temperament and Personality Test (Class 7 to 8): communication style, emotional patterns, classroom behaviour, motivation and stress response.
- Emotional Intelligence basics (Class 7 to 8): self-awareness, empathy, relationship skills and decision-making.
- Holland Code Test (Class 8): interests, basic career fields, clusters and suitable high school subject paths.
- MBTI-inspired personality test, middle school version: how students decide, gain energy, gather information and organise tasks. It is a simplified version, not the full formal MBTI.
Wider assessment suite
- Digital tools: a self-awareness tool, a career planner, a high school pathway search for Class 8 (IB, A-Level, National and others), a simple 16-personalities test and career insights
- Academic and learning: finance management basics, self-discovery test, Eisenhower Matrix, learning style assessment, time management
- Emotional and social: emotional intelligence, multiple intelligences, a temperament type indicator
- Career awareness: career exploration test, career interest test, vocational aptitude test, SMART goals, and a middle school Holland Code (RIASEC) assessment
A middle school assessment programme document and a test overview sheet are available on request.
Annual plan
Annual plans, Grades 5 to 8
Every action needs a plan. Annual career counselling plans run from September to June for each of Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8. The set also includes:
- an annual calendar for Grades 5 to 8
- career planning pages for Class 6, 7 and 8
- a 6-8 career annual plan and a 6-8 career curriculum
Editable plans and files are available on request.
Presentations
Career presentations for Class 6 to 8
The presentation library covers career awareness, SEL, study skills and early planning.
- Career awareness: Introduction to Career Clusters; What Are Strengths?; Discovering Your Talents
- SEL and motivation: Motivation and Mindset; Building Good Habits; Emotional Intelligence for Teens; Temperament and Communication
- Academic skills: Study Skills for Middle School; Time Management Basics; Learning Styles and Strategies
- Assessment presentations: Multiple Intelligence Overview; Learning Styles; Holland Test (RIASEC) and MBTI Introduction; Personality and Temperament
- Class 8 subject selection: How to Choose Subjects; Linking Strengths to Subjects; Preparing for High School
A general presentation on career education and guidance in schools is also part of the library. Files are available on request.
Extras
Portfolio, coaching and parents
- Portfolio building: leadership roles, internships and job shadowing, community service, Olympiads, summer schools and camps, awards and competitions, and online projects such as blogs, coding, business or art.
- Academic coaching: study habits, focus, procrastination, exam strategy, time management, thinking skills and stress management.
- Parent engagement: university pathways, exam requirements, deadlines, supporting motivation, reading assessment reports and academic planning.
Students and parents also get an early introduction to university systems in the UK, USA, Europe, Canada, Asia and the Middle East. See the school programme overview.
Questions
Common questions
Do middle school students pick a career?
No. They build self-awareness, skills and early understanding. Class 8 students get guidance on subject choice for high school.
Which assessments are used in Class 8?
The Holland Code (RIASEC) test is used in Class 8, with MAPP introduced where applicable. It supports subject selection and early career thinking.
Is the full MBTI used?
No. The middle school version is a simplified, age-appropriate test. The full formal MBTI is not used.
Talk to us about this
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