Career Readiness Bingo Game for High School Students
In my experience, it is rare that one teenager turns to another and casually asks, “So, have you updated your résumé lately?”
But when you put that same idea on a bingo square, suddenly they’re laughing, swapping stories, and making real connections about their futures.
That’s exactly why I love using Career Readiness Bingo. It’s structured but low-pressure and gets students talking about jobs, skills, and goals.
Career Readiness Bingo in action!
Why Career Exploration Activities Matter
Research shows that students who participate in three or more career exploration activities are twice as likely to feel confident in their career choice.
But here’s the challenge: exploring careers can feel overwhelming, abstract, or just too big for students to know where to start. That’s where gamification comes in. By turning career conversations into a familiar format, you lower the stakes and raise the engagement.
What’s Included in Career Readiness Bingo
Everything you need is ready to go. Just print and play. Inside you’ll find:
Editable teacher slides (Google Slides + PowerPoint) with career readiness stats, step-by-step rules, and discussion prompts to set the stage.
10 unique bingo cards, with a mix of prompts:
Cards 1–8: Varied combinations for replay value
Card 9: Focused on career interests
Card 10: Focused on work readiness & experience
Editable template + extra prompt list so you can customize the game to fit your class.
Student reflection sheet (print + digital) to capture interests and experiences, plus a sample response for support.
💡 Want to DIY it?
You can absolutely make your own bingo boards! All you need is a 5x5 grid and a list of prompts like “I’ve been on a job interview” or “I want to work in healthcare.” But if you’d rather save prep time, Career Readiness Bingo comes with ready-to-print cards, editable templates, and a student reflection sheet.
👉 Take a closer look at Career Readiness Bingo on TpT
Career Readiness Bingo is ready to print and play!
What Makes Career Readiness Bingo Different?
If you’ve already tried my free Postsecondary Pathways Bingo, you know how powerful bingo-style icebreakers can be. That version focuses on big-picture options for life after high school, like college, vocational training, military service, and so on.
Career Readiness Bingo zooms in on the world of work itself. Prompts include things like:
“I have a résumé.”
“I want to work in technology.”
“I’ve been on a job interview.”
“I want a job that lets me travel.”
The prompts blend interests, experiences, and job search know-how, so there’s something for everyone to contribute, no matter where they are in their career journey.
Classroom Implementation Ideas
Career Readiness Bingo is flexible enough to fit in multiple places in your year:
Kick off a career unit with an engaging icebreaker.
Use it as a warm-up in CTE classes or career days.
Try it in advisory or homeroom as a community-builder.
Give students a brain break that’s still productive.
Or tuck it into your sub plans as a low-prep, high-value activity.
Why Teachers (and Students) Love It
What students get:
Exposure to new career options through peer conversations.
Practice networking skills in a low-stakes environment.
Opportunities to identify classmates as resources for job search and career ideas.
What teachers get:
A ready-to-use activity that sparks real conversations.
Insight into students’ interests, skills, and experiences.
A fast way to build community around shared goals.
And my favorite part? Watching students build on what they’ve learned about each other. The last time we played, one of the winning squares was “I have handled money at work, school, or an event.” A few days later, I overheard a classmate ask the money-handler, “So you work at Chipotle? Do you like it? Do you think you could get me a job there?” Networking in action! A critical life skill they’ll carry far beyond the classroom.
Benefits of college and career-themed bingo games!
Common Teacher Questions
How long does this activity take?
About 25 minutes total: 5 minutes to introduce, 15 minutes to play, and 5 minutes for a debrief with follow-up questions.
Can I use this with mixed grade levels?
Yes. The “I want” prompts work for students of any age or experience level since everyone has interests and preferences. For the “I know” prompts, students can draw on knowledge from their own experiences, or things they’ve picked up from school, family, or media. The “I have” prompts can be more age-sensitive, and those boxes are more likely to be signed by juniors, seniors, or young adult ed students. In mixed groups, younger students can learn from their older peers!
What if my students are shy?
The prompts are specific and concrete (“I have a résumé,” “I want to work outdoors”), so students don’t feel put on the spot. Even quieter students can participate comfortably.
Is there a lot of prep involved?
Almost none. Print the cards, display the instructions, and let students mingle.
Ready to Try It?
Bring Career Readiness Bingo into your classroom and watch students light up while learning from each other.
And if you’d like to start with a free option first, don’t miss my Postsecondary Pathways Bingo. It’s perfect for sparking conversations about broader college and training opportunities.
Looking for more ways to help students prepare for the world of work? Check out my post on Employment Searching and Career Exploration for Students.
✨ Teacher takeaway: Teens want to talk about their futures. They just need the right icebreaker. Career Readiness Bingo gives them that opening, while helping you build community and gather insights into their goals.
