The study focussed on the question of how career orientation programs for students in middle schools transitioning into advanced educational and vocational levels could be optimized. Particularly of interest was the degree of influence school programs had on the career choices of students and which programs were supportive and which were deemed as not having value. The answers to these questions should help to critically analyze, further develop and adapt current career orientation programs in schools. The accompanying article should be seen as a guidance for teachers who want to use results in current educational research to further develop the career orientation profiles of their schools. The document is an extract of results from the research „My school, my parents and I in the career orientation process – The career choices of students at the end of middle school between career orientation programs in schools and parental influence“ (SEIB).