CCR Champions is a monthly spotlight series from Connor Harrington, CEO of Kuder, that celebrates educators and school districts leading the way in preparing students for college, careers, and life. From classroom innovation to statewide change, these champions are redefining career readiness, making it more real, relevant, and accessible for every student.
This month, we’re shining a light on Southwest School Corporation in Indiana. In a small district where big dreams are cultivated, students are embarking on an exciting journey of career exploration — beginning as early as kindergarten. With the help of Kuder Galaxy®, an engaging and age-appropriate career exploration platform, Southwest School Corp is providing elementary students with the tools to explore a broad range of career paths, understand their strengths, and begin thinking about their futures.
In this case study, we dive into how Southwest School Corp has successfully integrated career readiness into their elementary curriculum and how they’re empowering students to see endless possibilities for their futures — far beyond the traditional classroom setting. Read on to discover how Southwest School Corp is paving the way for early career exploration, and what other educators can learn from their approach.
Southwest School Corp. has long been dedicated to supporting students through their well-established counseling framework focused on three pillars: academic development, social-emotional learning, and career readiness. While the district had strong programs in place for academic success and social-emotional growth, there was an opportunity to create more structure in introducing career readiness at the elementary level.
The district saw the potential in integrating career exploration into their counseling program, ensuring that every student, from kindergarten through fifth grade, would have the opportunity to explore various career paths. By starting career readiness early, Southwest School Corp. aimed to help students better understand their strengths and see the many possibilities that lie ahead.
To enhance career readiness, Southwest School Corp. chose Galaxy, an interactive career awareness platform designed specifically for elementary students. This engaging, space-themed solution helps students connect their interests to potential careers through fun games, activities, and videos.
“If you sat down and explained Holland Codes to second graders, you’d lose them. But when they explore planets and play games, the concepts make sense — and they have fun learning.”
— Dani Hamilton, Lead Counselor
Aligned with the six Holland work environments (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional), Galaxy invites students to explore different “planets,” each representing a distinct work environment. Through exploration, students can begin to discover careers that match their strengths and interests, with each session concluding in reflective discussions.
To ensure standardization, Southwest School Corp established AIM (Arrows In the Making), a dedicated elective class focused on career readiness, much like music or physical education. Students participate in career exploration lessons weekly, guided by standardized lesson plans developed in collaboration with the counseling team. This structured approach gives career exploration a dedicated space in the curriculum, ensuring all students benefit from early, meaningful exposure to potential career paths.
As a capstone experience to the AIM (Arrows In the Making) course, Southwest School Corp hosts an annual Career Day, providing students with a dynamic, hands-on opportunity to connect with local professionals. Held in the spring, this event is more than a celebration—it’s a culmination of months of structured career exploration. Students in grades 3 through 5 rotate through a career circuit, meeting face-to-face with individuals representing a variety of occupations aligned to the six Holland work environments.
Students are encouraged to ask questions and engage in conversation, and afterward, they participate in a debrief activity to reflect on what they learned. This reflection often leads to unexpected outcomes—students expressing interest in careers they never knew existed. Whether a student dreams of becoming a veterinarian, a firefighter, a YouTuber, or a professional athlete, AIM fosters those aspirations while introducing additional and related career possibilities.
By sticking with this structured, sustained approach year after year, the district ensures that all students receive equitable exposure to career education. Moreover, feedback from students helps shape future events—they can request specific career fields or even nominate professionals they’d like to hear from next time. These authentic connections help students envision their futures with hope, curiosity, and confidence.
One of the most powerful outcomes of the career readiness program is the hope it instills in students. In a small community where career options may feel limited, early exposure to a variety of careers broadens students’ perspectives and inspires them to dream big. Even when students express interest in unconventional careers like “YouTuber” or “professional athlete,” the district embraces those passions, helping students understand the skills needed for those fields and instilling the belief that anything is possible. The message is clear: their future is full of opportunities, and with the right skills, they can achieve their dreams.
“We love instilling hope in them for their future, showing them that there is a world of possibility out there beyond what they might see locally.”
— Dani Hamilton, Lead Counselor
Southwest School Corp’s approach to career exploration ensures that every student receives the same quality of exposure and engagement. The integration of Kuder Galaxy into the AIM class guarantees that career exploration is woven into the elementary experience. This standardized approach is crucial, especially in a small community where access to external resources is limited. With weekly lessons across all grade levels, students receive the same level of support and career awareness, helping them connect their interests to real-world possibilities.
Galaxy has proven to be a highly effective tool for engaging young students. The platform’s space-themed, interactive lessons provide students with hands-on activities that make career exploration fun and relatable. Students enjoy the games and videos, and the lessons connect to their own interests, making career concepts like the Holland Codes accessible and engaging. Teachers also appreciate the simple, structured format that allows them to deliver meaningful career education while making it engaging for their students.
“The kids love the games. When they explore planets and interact with the system, they don’t even realize they’re learning about careers—it’s fun, and they’re making real connections.”
— Dani Hamilton, Lead Counselor
The district’s collaborative approach between the counseling team and paraprofessionals has been key to ensuring the program’s success. By working together to create lesson plans and utilizing Galaxy’s resources, educators can deliver career readiness lessons that are both standardized and flexible. This collaboration has led to increased engagement and standardization across grade levels, with educators feeling confident in their ability to guide students through career exploration in a meaningful way.
The annual Career Day has become a highlight of the program, offering students the chance to engage with local professionals and learn about a wide variety of careers. This event is not only a fun capstone experience but also strengthens ties between the school and the local workforce. Professionals from various industries share their career journeys, answer students’ questions, and inspire them to consider different possibilities for their futures. The event has also allowed students to discover career fields they didn’t know existed, expanding their awareness and helping them make connections to their own interests.
“Students walk into Career Day excited, knowing exactly what to expect, and they’re ready to ask thoughtful questions about the skills they’ll need for the future.”
Megan Mauriello
Mental Health Counselor
Southwest School Corp’s innovative approach to career readiness is a shining example of how early career exploration can open doors to endless possibilities. By introducing students to diverse career paths at an early age and providing them with engaging tools like Kuder Galaxy, the district is helping to shape the next generation of dreamers, thinkers, and doers.
As the district continues to evolve its career readiness programs, it’s clear that the seeds of inspiration and hope planted through programs like Kuder Galaxy will continue to grow, helping students develop a sense of purpose that will last a lifetime.
Interested in bringing Kuder Galaxy to your school?
Learn more about Kuder’s elementary career exploration platform here or contact our team.
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