AI Career Brew - Your Future Ready Menu
You're entering the workforce 2027-2030. Here's your roadmap with concrete actions for each stage.
65%
Students feel left out of AI conversations
90%
Want MORE ways to use AI
93%
Would use AI to help others
"If we're the ones growing up in an AI world, shouldn't we help decide how we learn it?"
- LEGO Kid-Led AI Study (800 students, 4 countries)
THIS ROADMAP IS YOUR ANSWER. ↓
Foundation Building Phase
Direction Selection Phase
Skill Development & Experience Phase
Employment Phase
Let's start with the uncomfortable truth, then look at the massive opportunity. Both are backed by hard data.
Survey of 31,000 workers across 31 countries reveals:
The Capacity Gap: Business demands outpace what humans alone can sustainably deliver—this is where AI comes in.
Source: Microsoft Work Trend Index 2025
Employers in 29 countries, 18 industries report:
The Skills Gap: Employers need AI-ready workers, but schools aren't keeping up. This is YOUR opportunity to get ahead!
Source: Digital Education Council / Global Finance & Technology Network
Workers aged 22-25 in AI-exposed jobs: employment decline since late 2022
Source: Stanford Digital Economy Lab + Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Gen Z believe AI has reduced the value of their college education
Source: National University AI Job Statistics
Projected decline in teen jobs before 2030
Source: High school student (Karissa Tang) research via UCLA Economics / NPR
Workers aged 18-24 are more than TWICE as likely as those over 65 to worry AI will make their job obsolete
Source: National University survey (129% more likely = 2.29x the anxiety rate)
NEW jobs will be created this decade
That's 14% of today's total employment - massive job creation!
Source: World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2025
NET NEW jobs after accounting for displacement
92 million roles displaced BUT 170 million created = 78 million MORE jobs
Source: World Economic Forum 2025
The question isn't "Will there be jobs?"
The question is: "Will YOU have the skills that matter?"
These jobs either didn't exist or were rare before 2020. Now they're fast-growing with strong salaries.
Design and optimize prompts for AI systems. Help companies improve AI outputs.
Path: CS or Communications degree → Learn Python + AI tools → Build portfolio → Entry as Jr. AI Analyst
Ensure AI systems are fair, unbiased, ethical. Work with legal, product, engineering teams.
Path: Philosophy, Ethics, OR Computer Science degree → AI courses → Policy Analyst role → AI Ethics
Deploy, monitor, maintain AI models in production. Bridge between data scientists and IT.
Path: Computer Science → Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure) → DevOps → MLOps (2-4 years)
Train AI models with human feedback. Label data, evaluate outputs.
Path: ANY degree OR just high school diploma → Apply to Scale AI, Remotasks, CloudFactory
Help hospitals implement AI diagnostic tools. Train medical staff on AI systems.
Path: Nursing (BSN) OR Health Informatics → 2-3 years experience → AI coordinator
Analyze health data for AI diagnostic systems. Improve AI accuracy with doctors.
Path: Biology OR Data Science → Python, R, healthcare databases → Health tech company
Manage AI-powered telehealth platforms. Support remote patient monitoring.
Path: Health IT degree (2-4 year) → Certifications → Healthcare IT Support → Telehealth
Maintain and repair AI-powered robots in factories, warehouses, hospitals.
Path: 1-2 year Mechatronics certificate → Apprenticeship → Manufacturing technician
Install/maintain AI-powered HVAC, lighting, security in buildings.
Path: HVAC OR Electrical trade (1-2 years) → Building automation cert → Apprenticeship
Operate AI-powered drones, sensors, farm equipment. Analyze crop data.
Path: 2-year Agricultural Tech degree → Drone pilot license (Part 107) → Farm OR AgTech company
Based on World Economic Forum survey of 1,000+ global employers AND aligned with Iowa's Universal Constructs for 21st Century Success. These are the skills they're actively hiring for—and how you can start building them NOW.
The Iowa Department of Education identified 6 Universal Constructs essential for your success:
Notice something? These Iowa standards align PERFECTLY with what global employers need! Your state already knows what matters.
Source: Iowa Department of Education, Universal Constructs for 21st Century Success
Why it matters: 73% of employers say it's essential. Break down problems, identify patterns, make data-driven decisions.
• Take AP Stats, AP Research, advanced math
• Join debate team
• Learn Excel, Google Sheets, basic SQL
• Practice: Break any topic into components
Why it matters: What AI can't replicate. Generate novel ideas, think beyond the obvious.
• Robotics, entrepreneurship club, art, theater
• Practice brainstorming 20 ideas
• Build something from scratch
• Take classes in different disciplines
Why it matters: Fastest-growing. You need to understand how to USE AI effectively.
• Take CS courses or online Python basics
• Use AI tools daily: ChatGPT, Claude
• Free courses: Google AI Essentials
• Learn what AI does well vs poorly
Why it matters: #2 most important. Adapt, bounce back from setbacks, stay calm under pressure.
• Push outside comfort zone
• When things fail: reflect, learn, try again
• Sports, theater build resilience
• Try new things even when you might fail
Why it matters: 39% of skills will change by 2030. You MUST learn continuously.
• Read widely: books, articles, different views
• Ask "why" and "how" constantly
• Learn skills outside school requirements
• Follow genuine interests
Why it matters: AI can't lead teams, motivate people, or navigate politics.
• Run for club officer (any club!)
• Organize event or project
• Practice public speaking: Toastmasters
• Learn to give/receive feedback
Why it matters: Every job uses technology. Be comfortable learning new software quickly.
• Master: Microsoft Office/Google Workspace
• Learn one design tool: Canva, Figma
• Understand basics: cloud storage, APIs
• Explore new software independently
Why it matters: AI cannot understand emotions or build genuine relationships.
• Practice active listening
• Volunteer with direct human interaction
• Listen fully before offering solutions
• Read fiction (builds empathy)
Why it matters: Every company needs to protect data. Growing field with strong salaries.
• CS courses in networking/security
• Free: TryHackMe, Cybrary
• Learn: encryption, VPN, firewall basics
• Join CyberPatriot competition
Why it matters: As you advance, you'll manage people. Critical for leadership.
• Lead team projects
• Mentor younger students/siblings
• Learn to delegate
• Study what makes teams work
A practical framework for using AI without losing yourself. These aren't abstract ideas—they're "muscle movements" you can practice RIGHT NOW.
Pay attention to your experience with AI:
Practice: Next time ChatGPT gives you an answer, NOTICE if it feels confident but vague.
Get curious about how it works:
Practice: When you see an AI recommendation, ask "Why THIS? Who benefits?"
Imagine alternatives:
Practice: When everyone says "AI will do X," wonder "What if it doesn't?"
✨ YOUR SUPERPOWER:
Knowing when to trust AI and when to question it
This skill separates people who use AI well from people who get used BY AI
A technical writer learned early that even expert ENGINEERS gave her wrong or outdated information.
She developed a practice: verify EVERYTHING. Question everything. Check every technical detail.
Many colleagues assumed the engineers knew best. They didn't question or verify.
Result? Her documentation was accurate. Theirs led to frustrated customers calling support.
The skill she developed—healthy skepticism combined with rigorous fact-checking—is fundamental to working with AI.
The difference between students who thrive and students who get replaced: curiosity vs passivity.
= REPLACEABLE
If all you do is consume, you're just another data point
= INVALUABLE
People who ask, explore, create—they LEAD
California High School Student (Now Graduating)
✓ Got curious about AI's impact on teen jobs
✓ Cold-emailed a UCLA professor (George Geis)
✓ Conducted actual economic research as a SOPHOMORE
✓ Published 20-page paper with policy recommendations
✓ Found: Teen jobs could decline 27% before 2030
✓ Made national news (NPR!)
"She wasn't the smartest student in the world.
She was curious and took action."
The UCLA professor said her work was "as good as I've seen from much more developed students—MBAs and PhDs."
Her recommendations: Emphasize critical thinking and entrepreneurship in education. Schools should teach students how to adapt to economic changes.
You know what's going on with your peers. You know who's cheating with AI. You know who's using it as a crutch.
Most of you are authentic. You actually want to learn. You want genuine relationships.
Call each other to higher standards.
Help each other use AI as a TOOL to amplify thinking—not as a replacement for thinking.
You have more influence on each other than any adult does. Use it.
Watch our team build THIS website in real-time! Each team member brings HUMAN SKILLS (creativity, critical thinking, communication) combined with AI SKILLS (automation, data analysis, code generation). See how they work together through 5 phases: Research → Design → Development → Testing → Launch.
What is a Data Storyteller? They take raw numbers and turn them into compelling narratives that drive business decisions.
Real Companies Hiring:
• Netflix - Data storytellers analyze viewing patterns to pitch new shows
• Spotify - Turn listening data into "Wrapped" campaigns
• Nike - Transform fitness data into motivational insights
• Target - Predict customer needs from shopping patterns
The story will appear here as your team works...
Click START BREWING to begin the design thinking process
This is how real companies build products. You'll see division of labor, project management, human creativity paired with AI efficiency, and the iterative design process.
No projects completed yet. Click START BREWING to begin!
This ENTIRE website—every line of code, every piece of content, every design element—was created using Claude Code in a single conversation. Here's exactly how it happened, with REAL prompts you can copy and adapt.
3,120
Total Lines of Code
12
Interactive Sections
18
Presentation Slides
1
Live AI Simulator
5
Development Phases
10+
Major Iterations
Actual User Prompt:
"I need to create a website for Future Ready Day at our high school. The presentation should focus on AI's impact on careers and help 11th graders understand what they need to do NOW to prepare."
Claude immediately researched current data, found credible sources (WEF, Stanford, NPR), and created the first version with comprehensive career information.
📝 TEMPLATE YOU CAN USE:
"I need to create a [TYPE OF CONTENT] for [PURPOSE/EVENT]. The [content] should focus on [MAIN TOPIC] and help [AUDIENCE] understand [KEY LEARNING GOAL]."
Actual User Prompt:
"Make it more focused on the Future Ready Day outcomes: (1) explore post-secondary options, (2) connect current choices to future plans, (3) show careers created by AI and how it impacts their generation entering the workforce."
Claude reorganized everything, added specific career pathways, post-secondary comparisons, and detailed skill-building guides.
📝 TEMPLATE YOU CAN USE:
"Make it more focused on [SPECIFIC GOALS]. Include: (1) [goal one], (2) [goal two], (3) [goal three]. The audience needs to understand [specific outcome]."
💡 Key Tip: Be specific about learning outcomes. The more detailed you are, the better the result!
Actual User Prompt:
"Keep all content the same but I still need the original sections: The Data, Skills, Framework, Curiosity, and Resources tabs."
Claude added all missing sections while preserving existing content—expanded from 4 to 9 complete sections with navigation.
📝 TEMPLATE YOU CAN USE:
"Keep all content the same but I also need [list specific additions]. Add sections on: [topic 1], [topic 2], [topic 3]."
💡 Key Tip: Use "keep all content the same" to preserve good work while adding more!
Actual User Prompt:
"Keep all content the same but make website a Simpsons theme design and color scheme"
Claude completely redesigned the visual style—Simpsons colors, Bangers font, cartoon effects, animated clouds—without changing a single word of content.
📝 TEMPLATE YOU CAN USE:
"Keep all content the same but make the design [THEME]. Use [specific colors/fonts/style elements] and make it feel like [reference]."
💡 Key Tip: AI can completely redesign visuals without touching content. Just say "keep all content the same but..."
Actual User Prompt:
"Can you replace emojis with Simpsons characters"
Claude replaced all generic emojis with Simpsons-themed icons (donuts, skateboard, glasses, TV, nuclear symbols) and added character catchphrases.
📝 TEMPLATE YOU CAN USE:
"Replace [element] with [themed alternative]. Make it match the [overall theme]."
💡 Key Tip: Simple, direct requests work great for refinements!
Actual User Prompt:
"Should any of the data be represented in the skills that matter, the data, and the presentation based on these links? If so, can you update accordingly" [followed by 5 research URLs]
Claude analyzed all 5 sources, identified key statistics, and integrated Iowa Universal Constructs, Youth Pulse 2026, Microsoft Work Trend Index, and AI in the Workplace data throughout.
📝 TEMPLATE YOU CAN USE:
"Based on these sources [paste URLs], should any data be added to [sections]? If so, update the content to include the most relevant statistics and insights."
💡 Key Tip: Provide links directly in your prompt! AI can fetch and analyze sources for you.
Actual User Prompt:
"Create one more section that explains this entire process on how this website was created entirely using Claude Code so I can share the power of AI. Have it contain the steps, sample prompts, etc. with Claude Code resources at the end."
You're reading it right now! Claude documented the entire creation process with actual prompts and templates. Meta! 🤯
📝 TEMPLATE YOU CAN USE:
"Document how this [project] was created. Include the process steps, actual prompts used, and templates others can copy. Add [specific resources] at the end."
💡 Key Tip: AI can explain its own process! Great for teaching others.
Actual User Prompt:
"Add a Springfield Paradox section showing how each character evolves from their traditional role to an AI-enhanced role, demonstrating which human skills remain irreplaceable."
Claude created interactive flip cards for Homer, Lisa, Bart, and Marge - each showing their Iowa Universal Construct, traditional role, new AI-era role, and key lesson. Includes The Marge Test showing what AI cannot do.
📝 TEMPLATE YOU CAN USE:
"Add a section showing [characters/examples] demonstrating [key concept]. Make it interactive with [specific UI element like flip cards, tabs, etc.]."
💡 Key Tip: Request specific interactive elements to make concepts engaging!
Actual User Prompt:
"Create a Code Deep Dive section that explains the technical aspects: color palette with hex codes, animations, fonts, key web concepts, and what students can build themselves."
Claude created an educational breakdown of web development concepts: Simpsons color palette with RGB explanations, animation techniques, font pairing tips, responsive design, CSS variables, JavaScript events, and project ideas students can build.
📝 TEMPLATE YOU CAN USE:
"Create a technical breakdown section explaining [specific concepts]. Include [code examples, visual demonstrations, practical applications]."
💡 Key Tip: AI can create educational content that teaches how IT works!
Actual User Prompt:
"Build a plugin that visualizes the work Claude Code is doing as a team of agents working in Springfield, showing agents doing work and passing information, with new agents being hired, acquiring skills, and turning in completed work showcasing human skills and AI skills."
Claude created a LIVE SIMULATION showing the actual 5-phase workflow used to build this website! Watch Homer, Lisa, Bart, Marge, and others work through Research, Design, Development, Testing, and Deployment phases - each using specific Human + AI skill combinations. Real tasks, real phases, real workflow!
📝 TEMPLATE YOU CAN USE:
"Build an interactive visualization showing [process/workflow]. Include [specific elements: characters, animations, data tracking]. Make it demonstrate [key learning concept]."
💡 Key Tip: AI can create complex simulations that make abstract concepts visual and interactive!
Actual User Prompt:
"Can you add references to LEGO Kid-Led AI Study and Brookings Prosper/Prepare/Protect research? Incorporate questions that begin the talk and get students engaged immediately, and add context throughout the site."
Claude integrated real research (800 students from 4 countries), added opening poll questions to the presentation, created "Why This Matters" panels with student voice statistics, and built a comprehensive research reference section with direct links and key findings.
📝 TEMPLATE YOU CAN USE:
"Integrate these research sources [paste links or upload PDFs]. Add engaging questions based on the findings. Create reference sections with key statistics and direct links."
💡 Key Tip: Upload research or paste URLs - AI will analyze and integrate the most relevant findings!
Instead of: "Make me a website"
Say: "Create a website for Future Ready Day focused on AI careers for 11th graders"
Magic phrase: "Keep all content the same but..."
This lets you iterate on design, structure, or style without losing content!
Include: Audience (11th graders), purpose (Future Ready Day), goals (career preparation)
Context = better results!
Paste URLs directly in your prompt
AI can fetch, read, and integrate research for you!
Don't aim for perfection on first try
Build → Test → Refine → Repeat. Each prompt improves the work.
Simple works: "Replace emojis with Simpsons characters"
No need to overcomplicate. Clear requests = instant results.
Claude found and analyzed data from World Economic Forum, Stanford, NPR, Iowa Dept of Education, and more—then synthesized it into actionable guidance.
Every line of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript was written by AI. Responsive design, animations, interactivity—all automated.
Complete visual redesign (from professional to Simpsons theme) in minutes without losing any content.
Each prompt improved the site. AI maintained context across dozens of changes and additions.
10 complete sections, 16-slide presentation, navigation system—all structured logically without manual planning.
Every statistic properly cited. All resources verified and linked. Academic-level research standards maintained.
40-65 HOURS
~2 HOURS TOTAL
(mostly conversation time!)
💡 This is the reality you're entering:
The students who THRIVE won't be the ones who avoid AI.
They'll be the ones who learn to USE it effectively.
Start practicing TODAY!
THE FUTURE IS HERE
This website is proof that AI isn't coming—it's already transforming how we work, create, and learn.
The question isn't whether you'll use AI.
It's whether you'll use it WELL.
Start learning TODAY! 🚀
Copy these prompts. Try them yourself. Build something amazing.
Want to build websites like this? Let's break down the actual code! Every color choice, every animation, every button—here's how it all works.
Total Lines of Code
Lines of CSS Styling
Lines of JavaScript
Lines of HTML Content
Every color was chosen to make AI careers feel warm and approachable, not cold and corporate.
What it does: Listens for clicks on menu items, hides all sections, shows only the clicked one. Simple but effective!
What it does: Changes element position. CSS transition property (set to 1.2s) makes it smooth. No complex animation libraries needed!
What it does: Define colors once, use everywhere. Want to change the theme? Update 6 variables instead of 200+ color codes!
The structure. Semantic tags like <section>, <article> make content accessible.
The styling. Grid, Flexbox, animations, custom properties. No frameworks needed!
The interactivity. No jQuery, no React. Pure, clean ES6 JavaScript.
Code generation, debugging help, structure suggestions. Human directs, AI implements.
Playfair Display (elegant headers), Lora (readable body), Amatic SC (handwritten accents).
Everything in ONE HTML file. Easy to share, no build process, works offline.
Remember: Every website you see started as someone typing code for the first time. This site? Built in 13 days by a team learning as they went. You can do this too!
Every link, report, and tool referenced in this presentation. All verified and active.
Every resource has been checked and is currently active.
Bookmark this page for easy reference as you explore post-secondary options.
Your perspective matters! Here's what students worldwide are saying about AI - and what researchers are discovering.
LEGO Education + 800 Students
Students from US, Germany, South Korea, and Australia share what THEY think about AI - not what adults assume they think.
Key Findings:
Brookings Institution Research
Research shows students who PROSPER with AI (not just survive it) need three things: Skills, Mindset, and Agency.
The Framework:
💡 Translation: You're Right. The Research Proves It.
Now Let's Fix This Together.