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The Exploring program is an initiative of Learning for Life and an affiliate of the Boy Scouts of American. The program provides 8th - 11th grade students with career guidance at no cost to the student or school.

The Exploring program begins with a Career Interest Survey for 8th - 11th grade students. The results of the survey are reported to the school including students' career and hobby interests.

Following the career interest survey, students are invited to participate in an Explorer Post related to their career interests. The Explorer Post provides career exploration activities related to a career cluster in which the students are interested. Students learn about careers on the work site from employees of companies related to their career interests.

Win! Benefits to Students

Students learn about their career interests

Students are invited to participate in an Explorer Post related to their career interests.

Students in Explorer Posts learn about occupations related to their career interests directly from employers

Students in Explorer Posts participate in on-the-job experiences related to their career interests

Students in Explorer Posts have an opportunity to develop a network of professionals related to their career interests which may be helpful in gaining letters of recommendation and access to employment opportunities

Students in Explorer Posts are able to assess potential sites for employment

Win! Benefits to Schools

Schools are able to provide a career interest survey at no cost.

The survey is quick and simple to administer (10 min) and is tallied by the Explorer staff

Easy to use results are provided to counselors

Results assist in identify resources to schools for in-school speakers and programs

Customized questions allow the school to gather information important to their programs, procedures, and/or policies.

Win! Benefits to Businesses

Because Exploring fosters a sense of ownership to a company or organization, youth who belong to an Explorer post are drawn to that company or organization as they look toward a career.

How to Get Your School Involved

Surveys are distributed to schools in September and collected in October. If interested, please contact the Exploring office prior to September 15th. Be prepared to provide the following information:

Number of groups you will be surveying (e.g., homerooms)

Number of students to be surveyed in each group

Contact Information

Career Exploring Office

1900 North Meridian Street

P.O. Box 1966

Indianapolis, IN 46206

Phone: 317-925-1900

Fax: 317-921-3474

Staff Advisors:

Doug Brown Phone Ext 233

Joe Milharcic Phone Ext 224

What the Students Say:

98% say that Exploring helped them prepare for the future

92% say that being an Explorer has taught them to have more confidence in themselves and their abilities

96% say Exploring gives them a chance to do things and go places that they would not otherwise do or visit

Privacy Statement:

The information gathered from the career interest survey is provide to the schools, free of charge, after the survey is conducted. This information is used only to invite youth to become involved in Exploring through the career interest of their choice. Those companies who agree to host an Exploring program also agree that the information be used only to invite youth to participate in Exploring, and for no other reason.