“So, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

It’s a classic question, and children usually answer with the jobs they see most: teacher, doctor, astronaut, cricketer. Some kids go big: “I want to be a dinosaur!” which, unfortunately, is not yet a viable career option.

It’s a Whole New World Order

Most children are only aware of the professions in their immediate circles. They don’t know what parents, relatives, or TV characters do. According to a World Economic Forum report, 65% of children entering primary school today will work in jobs that don’t even exist yet. That means the careers of tomorrow are far beyond what we can currently imagine.

This is why schools need to look beyond rote learning and regular tests. They help children connect curiosity, purpose, and real-world experiences to prepare them for a future full of possibilities.

What changed? 

Ten years ago, no one imagined jobs like AI ethicists, organ creators, or metaverse planners. Today, these roles are real, and tomorrow’s list will be even more surprising. As careers evolve, the best schools in Bangalore are rethinking education itself, preparing learners not just for existing jobs, but for futures we can’t yet predict.

​From Curiosity to Career Exposure

​Career exposure starts early in most modern schools. Inspired by global research and practices, they build age-appropriate opportunities for learners:

​Early Years and Primary: Children connect play and interests to possible roles. A cooking class, for instance, is fun and an early lesson in math, science, and maybe even hospitality.

​Middle School: Learners test out different pathways through hands-on projects, service learning, and design thinking labs. It’s about sparking curiosity and showing them that passions can translate into purpose. And when they find their purpose, it’s likely to influence their future career choices.

​Senior School: In senior school programs, learners from top high schools in Bangalore step into the real world through work exposure programs, internships, and industry projects.

This approach aligns closely with what career researchers recommend: Start early to connect interests with careers, and expose learners to a wide variety of fields.

How Career Programs Make All the Difference

Earlier this year, Ekya Schools pulled off something remarkable. The Work Exposure Program (WEP) 2025, active since 2018, offered learners a taste of the professional world through immersive summer internships. The program partnered with 19 leading organisations, offering 148 positions.

The response was overwhelming: 109 learners were accepted, and 92 successfully completed their internships, an impressive participation rate that shows just how ready young learners are to step into real-world roles.

For a school community, pulling off something of this scale is no small feat. But for Ekya, one of the best schools in Bangalore, it’s proof of their mission in action: helping children connect their passions to purpose and their learning to life.

​Why It Matters

​Studies show that children’s aspirations narrow as early as age 7 when they begin associating careers with gender, social status, or what they see around them. Without intentional exposure, they may never realise the breadth of possibilities available to them.

​Schools include career readiness in everyday learning. Sometimes it’s through STEM projects, entrepreneurial challenges, leadership bootcamps, or creative arts. This way, learners get the chance to connect their strengths to real-world futures.

​Learning Beyond the Classroom

​The modern philosophy driving this transformation is built around the ‘Learn–Think–Do’ process.

​Learn: Build strong conceptual foundations.

​Think: Reflect, ask questions, challenge assumptions.

​Do: Apply knowledge—through debates, service initiatives, robotics, or internships.

​This way, career exploration for children in CBSE schools in Bangalore becomes a natural extension of what children already love doing.

​Parents in the Journey

​Career exploration is for children and parents. Parents are encouraged to attend conversations, projects, and exposure programs. Only when parents understand the diversity of careers can they better support their child’s aspirations.

​Why Parents Choose Ekya

In an environment full of opportunity, parents are drawn to progressive schools that go beyond academics to build confidence, purpose, and future-readiness. Backed by over 35 years of legacy from the CMR Group of Institutions, Ekya continues to stand out as one of the top schools in Bangalore, future-proofing life after Grade 12.