Career and work readiness instruction will provide students who are Deaf or hard of hearing the opportunity to learn about new and unique jobs, personal strengths/interests, work-related aptitudes, and financial literacy. While many students learn this content incidentally, the concepts and related vocabulary tend to be abstract, thus calling for consideration of direct instruction to improve understanding and application. Hands-on experiences and direct instruction provide necessary content that might not be acquired through classroom studies or observation only. The skill areas pertinent to Career Education in the PA ECC-DHH Include: Career Exploration and Planning, Job Seeking Skills, Workplace Skills and Financial Literacy.

In the rubric below, "Emerging" begins for the family when the child is identified with a limited hearing. Typically, “Early” means early elementary years, “Intermediate” is late elementary and middle school, while “Advanced” is completed by the end of high school. The subskills are listed according to a hierarchy of development. Students, including those identified later, may have learning gaps from earlier stages that require subskills to be addressed. Some subskills are listed in more than one column indicating the possible need to revisit the skills at a more sophisticated level. Subskills may be adjusted and selected as needed. Not every target may need to be addressed. Assessment of these subskills may be completed informally or formally. See the PA ECC-DHH Assessment section for suggestions.