I guess poor kids need more vocational awareness. A kind of resource official, if you will, either attached to the school or to a business. Maybe both.

Anyway, say a poor kid wants to be a doctor. They go down to their counselors office at school and say, "I think I want to be a doctor. Hook me up." The counselor makes sure they know what is involved in said profession, what kind of money they can expect to make, what the requirements are to get there, where they can expect to work, and what their working expectations would be.

The kid thinks on it a while and decides whether or not to pursue. So they come back and get a path laid out for them. Here's the credentials required. Here's what's needed to master them. Here's where you can get help doing so if you need it. Being the 'rentals in and we'll make sure everyone is on board. If you're going to need some money getting it all done then here's some resources.

Frankly, companies could do the same thing by community outreach, sponsoring internships or workshops that lead toward credentialing, etc.

The schools could have more career days too. My school's career days were terrible but overall I think they're a good idea.