Career Learning Days: Creativity, Connection and the Skills to Shape What’s Next
Pretty much any job that I can think of utilizes creativity.
— Rafael McMaster
That was one of the messages shared by Rafael McMaster, founder of Indivisible Arts and guest speaker for Da Vinci’s first Career Learning Day of the 2026-27 school year on September 21. But creativity was just one part of a larger day focused on career awareness, exploration, connection, and the skills students need to navigate what comes next.
Formerly known as Community Learning Days, Career Learning Days have evolved to place a more intentional emphasis on helping students explore careers, learn from professionals, and build career-readiness skills—while preserving the hands-on learning, collaboration, and real-world connections that have always been central to these experiences.
Career Learning Days bring students together from across Da Vinci’s high schools and give them opportunities to choose from a wide range of learning experiences. That choice is intentional: students can explore something completely new, deepen an existing interest, or develop a skill they can carry into future academic and professional settings.
The four Career Learning Days for the 2026-27 school year are:
- Monday, September 21, 2026
- Friday, October 30, 2026
- Friday, March 5, 2027
- Monday, April 26, 2027
At Da Vinci, Career Learning Days extend the career-connected learning students experience throughout the year. Students work with industry professionals, tackle real-world challenges, complete hands-on projects, and make connections between what they learn in school and the world beyond it. Career Learning Days create dedicated time to broaden those experiences and introduce students to fields, professionals, and possibilities they may not otherwise encounter.
Exploring What's Possible
The September 21 Career Learning Day offered students a wide range of experiences, including Real-Time Filmmaking with Xsens Motion Capture, Pharmacy 101, AI & Human-Centered Design, Artist Entrepreneurship, How to Handle Feedback, Ten Steps to a Sale, Building Your “Hire Me” Portfolio, Pasadena Culinary Arts School, a Firehouse Field Lesson, and Loyola Marymount University college and career pathways.
Students could also design their own learning experiences off campus through job shadows, independent projects, or catching up on schoolwork.
The experiences were intentionally varied, giving students the chance to discover a career they had never considered, gain insight into a particular field, practice a workplace skill, or explore how an existing interest might translate into a future opportunity.
This flexibility gives students greater ownership of their learning and allows them to pursue experiences connected to their individual interests and goals.
Learning From People Doing the Work
For Rafael, career exploration starts with understanding that creativity is not limited to traditionally creative professions.
“Pretty much any job that I can think of utilizes creativity,” he told students. “Whether you’re an artist, a designer, a creative director, an art director—or even a lawyer or an accountant—creativity is part of it.”
Rafael introduced students to Indivisible Arts’ creative practice and a “fundamental toolkit” for the mind that includes focus, mindset, and personal growth. He encouraged students to think about how those tools can help them approach challenges, develop ideas, and shape their futures.
“How do we create the reality in this present moment, but also future ideas, inventions, careers, new things?” he asked. “That’s the power of creativity.”
For Danny, a ninth grader at Da Vinci Science, the experience provided an opportunity for personal reflection.
“It really did help me understand myself better and how I can improve, not only as a person, but just how I manage my life and work toward what I really want to achieve with my goals,” he said.
He left interested in continuing to explore creative opportunities through Indivisible Arts.
Putting Career Skills Into Practice
Career exploration becomes more meaningful when students have a chance to apply what they are learning.
At the Xsens Motion Capture experience, Gisele, a senior at Da Vinci Connect High, got to step into the technology herself.
“We got to actually try out the motion capture suit and see the technology in action. We even got to direct some scenes. It was really cool,” she said.
The experience also helped her see how different interests can intersect.
“We were kind of blending together all of the concepts of film with the music we were creating—playing on the piano or playing from our phones—and putting it into the scenes,” Gisele said. “It was really cool to learn about how everyone’s interests can connect.”
For Gisele, that connection between learning and future possibilities was especially meaningful.
“I get to learn things that I can actually apply to what I want to do in the future,” she said.
Connecting Across Da Vinci
Career Learning Days also create opportunities for students to meet peers they might not otherwise encounter during the school day.
Students from Da Vinci Communications, Da Vinci Design, Da Vinci Science, Da Vinci Connect High, Da Vinci RISE Above, and LifeLaunch participated together, giving them opportunities to work with students outside their usual classrooms and school communities.
Kristin, a ninth grader at Da Vinci Connect High, appreciated the chance to expand her circle.
“We got to meet some new people—from other schools, and also from my same school but with different cohorts,” she said.
Working with new people gives students opportunities to practice collaboration, communication, and listening—skills that extend well beyond high school.
Building Confidence for What's Next
For some students, the day also offered a new way to think about challenges, growth, and connection.
Logan, a ninth grader at Da Vinci Communications, said Rafael's message about mistakes stayed with him.
“I liked what Rafael said about looking at our mistakes in a positive way and learning from them instead of looking down upon them. I thought that was really cool, so I think I’m going to do that from now on.”
Royal, a 10th grader at Da Vinci Design, was thinking about another skill: connection.
“Connecting is one of my goals and something I want to do more of in the future.”
Royal has a strong interest in aviation and spends time researching airplanes.
“They’re my favorite thing that mankind has ever made,” he said.
Making Room for Possibility
Career Learning Days don’t ask students to have their futures figured out. Instead, they give students room to try, explore, connect, and imagine.
September 21 was just the beginning. With three more Career Learning Days ahead this school year, students will have additional opportunities to explore new fields, engage with professionals, work alongside peers from across Da Vinci, and discover where their interests might lead.
As Rafael reminded students, creativity isn’t limited to the arts. It is part of how we solve problems, communicate, build relationships, and envision what comes next.
And sometimes, discovering what’s possible begins simply with the opportunity to try something new.
We’re grateful to Rafael McMaster and the many industry professionals and community partners who volunteered their time, shared their expertise, and opened a window into their work. Their willingness to connect with our students helps make Career Learning Days a meaningful part of how Da Vinci students explore possibilities, build skills, and prepare for what comes next.
