Eighth-graders love to dream big. Poll them on their career goals, and they’ll talk of becoming professional athletes and fashion designers.

But take a look at Washington state’s current job projections and guess what you’ll find: The state currently forecasts four openings a year for professional athletes, and for fashion designers a big fat zero. You’re less likely to hear eighth-graders describe career plans that match this reality: The state projects annual openings for 840 registered nurses and 1,058 computer engineers.

Fortunately, Washington public schools are taking steps to help students create a more realistic picture. Starting with the class of 2008, all students will be required to create a “high school and beyond” plan to help them select the right classes, pursue the necessary education or training, and plot a possible career path.

Spokane Public Schools started working with eighth-graders in 2004 on similar plans. Each year they undergo assessments of their learning styles, values, personality types and work-related skills and compare their results to Washington state job forecasts. Their portfolios follow them through school.

Career specialist Janet Popham has already noticed results. She sees students making more insightful choices about the classes they select.

She still hears students dreaming of careers they’ve seen on popular television shows. “CSI” spawned a rash of future criminal investigators. Now, “Dog Whisperer” seems to inspire more potential dog trainers, and the Food Network lures more would-be chefs.

With the possible exception of the Food Network (Washington will need 372 chefs a year), students would do well to visit a counselor or career specialist instead. Yet sheer numbers can stand in the way. High school career specialists may serve as many as 2,000 students, and counselors can serve anywhere from 400 to 550.

No doubt that’s why a Gallup survey showed that five times as many adults said they entered the work force by chance rather than by choice.

All too often, students make life-altering choices based on a word from a favorite teacher or a snippet of advice from a parent. The “high school and beyond plan” has the potential to help make the process less haphazard. Next, the state should fund additional career counseling staff with time to work with students individually.

The state’s employers need well-trained workers. Tomorrow’s adults need solid jobs. The right approach in high school will help bring them together.