Planning For a Career - Poudre School District€¦ · Web viewWhat are your top 2 interests and...

CRITICAL SKILLS

Unit 2: Exploring Careers

Deciding what you want to in your adult life can be a daunting task. You may think to yourself, “Why do I need to think about my career. I’m only in high school”, but just consider how many types of jobs people have in America! It is important to spend time now thinking about what career paths interest you so you can prepare for the job you want by taking electives in high school, volunteer, job shadow and applying to the right schools before you graduate.

This unit will help you determine what careers are best suited to your interests and abilities. As you read the material and complete the assignments, keep in mind that you get to decide what career path you will take in life. Your future is tomorrow and now is the time to decide on it.

Section Description Page Point Value

1) Finding Careers That Interest You

Online Pathways Survey Comparing Careers Chart

3-45

1030

2) Making Contact to Find Out More

Phone Etiquette Scenarios First Phone Interview Worksheet Second Phone Interview Worksheet Job Shadow Job Shadow Worksheet

91213

14-1516-19

1010105020

Unit Project: Which Direction Will You Go

Which Direction Report Which Direction Presentation

2021

8545

CS U2 Career Exploration pp. 1

Section 1: Finding Careers That Interest You

Anyone ever ask you what you wanna’ be when you grow up? If the first thing that comes to mind is ‘I don’t know’ then you are like many other students! Deciding what you want to do for a living can be a difficult thing. There are ways to help you decide what careers might work best for you.

Assignments

Online Pathways Survey

Comparing Careers Chart


NAME:_______________________

Online Pathways Survey

ObjectiveTo explore career options by taking a survey and consider careers that might work well for you.

DirectionsYou will need access to the Internet to complete this assignment.

Step 1: Registration1. Go to the following URL (Internet Address) : www.collegeincolorado.org2. In the upper right section of the page click on the Create an Account link3. Complete the registration form

a. Create a username and password. Write them here and keep this page.

Username:

Password:

b. Once the form is complete, click the create choices portfolio now button at the bottom of the registration page.

Once you have completed the form you will see a page that looks like this


Start Here

http://www.collegeincolorado.org/

Step 2: PlanningNow you can begin exploring careers. Complete the following and answer the questions along the way.

1. Find the Guideways section on the page (See arrow on previous page)2. Click on the View your recommended guideways link3. Click on the Getting Started Guideway link4. Click on the Continue link as you progress through the Guideway5. Complete the surveys to determine your career clusters.

Career Cluster – a group of careers that require similar skills and interests.

What are your top 3 career clusters in order?

Top 3 Career Clusters1.

2.

3.

6. Click on the Continue on Guideway link when you have recorded your top 3 clusters.7. Complete the career finder survey to determine which careers might work for you.8. Once you have completed the survey you will see a screen with your top 20 jobs and

graphs showing your interests and skills.

What are your top 2 interests and skills?

Top 2 Skills1.

2.

Turn this worksheet in to your instructor.


Top 2 Interests1.

2.

Comparing Careers ChartObjectiveCompare careers that you are interested in to help you choose a possible career path.

ResearchLook at the list of Career Suggestions for You. These are jobs based on your interests and abilities. To find out more about each career click on the View Article link next to the job title. This will open a new page that gives you details about the career. On the left side of the window you will see tabs that include more information about the career including the salary, outlook, and education requirements. Once you have researched a career, you can return to the list of careers by clicking the Explore Other Careers at the top of the page.

Directions1. Choose at least 5 careers you want to find more information about and research them2. Create a chart that looks similar to the one on the next page. Use your own paper or the

computer.3. For each job, list at least five things you like about the job and several things you dislike.

For each job you might want to consider: What are the hours? What is the work environment? What is the salary? Will the standard salary allow you to live the lifestyle you want? (You will want

to keep this in mind when you do your Budget Unit later on.) Will the number of jobs increase or decrease in this field? (for example,

technology will probably increase, while assembly lines will probably decrease.) What are the expectations for your job? Do you need continual training or a lot of

travel, or do you have to talk in front of people? What are the educational requirements? You may also include questions you have about the jobs.

4. Turn your chart in to your instructor


Research Tabs Return

Link

Sample Job Comparison Chart

Job Title Things I Like About This Job Things I Dislike About This Job

Plumber -Not much training required- need to apprentice for a year and take tech classes.-Good salary (40,000 to start)-Hands on work is good for me. I like to build things and I am good at reading maps and blue prints.-I will probably work on my own-I can own my own business or work for a company.

Hours are not consistentNot many jobs available in the next 10 yearsHow hard would it be to start my own plumbing company?

Pilot -Get to travel around the world which fits my values!-Good salary (50,000 if hired by a reputable company)-I like being in control and working with a small group of people.-I am good at physics and math-There would be a lot of opportunity to advance -Companies offer good incentives like free travel and bonuses

Outlook not goodLots of training requiredSchool is expensiveVery specific training – Limited opportunities in other fieldsHours are tough! Have to fly for several days at a time without a break!


Section 2: Making Contact to Find Out More

Researching careers is a good way to narrow down your career interests. The next step is to contact people who work in the business to find out more about those jobs. This is typically done by interviewing a professional or spending some time at the job site.

Assignments

Phone Etiquette Scenarios

Interview Worksheet 1


Job Shadow Setup

Job Shadow Worksheet


Phone Etiquette Tips

Phone Etiquette is very important. People can’t see you, so you can’t use body language, and usually you are speaking to a person you don’t know. Good and acceptable manners are therefore an important part of having a productive phone conversation. Some important rules of phone etiquette include:

Free up your time and environment before you call. Find a quiet place, sit down and

don’t let yourself be distracted by other conversations

Do not answer other calls

Spit out your gum and don’t eat while you talk

Ask for the first and last name of the person you are contacting

Be sure to give them your first and last name so they feel more comfortable

Ask them when a good time would be to interview

Speak clearly and distinctly

Use a pleasant tone of voice

Don’t use slang or swear words

Speak loudly enough to be heard

Ask follow-up questions if you need clarification

Thank them for their time


Name:Date:

Phone Etiquette Scenarios

1. You call a business to find out if they are hiring. The employee on the other end says she does not know and puts you on hold. You are on hold for 5 minutes until she comes back and asks why you were calling. She puts you on hold for 2 more minutes before returning with a “no”. How do you respond?

2. You are talking to the manager of a company where you would like to get a job. The manager asks you a question that you don’t know the answer to. What do you do?

3. You call to get more information about a posted job. The man who answers the phone starts asking you questions that make you uncomfortable. What do you do?

4. Read this sample conversation between a potential employee and a store manager. There are at least 8 errors in the potential employee’s questions. On a separate sheet of paper, rewrite this conversation to correct the potential employee’s mistakes in this inquiry interview. Attach it to the worksheet.

Manager: ACME Company, Mike speakingPotential: Hi. I have some questions about your company.Manager: Okay. I can help you. What are your questions?Potential: What kinds of things do workers do there?Manager: We have manufacturers, janitors, engineers, accountants.Potential: How much do you pay?Manager: That depends on which job you work.Potential: Okay. [long pause while Anna writes some info]. Uh…hold on [another pause; some chatting in the background]. Okay. Do you have any entry level positions?Manager: Yes. We are hiring a part-time sales rep.Potential: How do I apply for that job?Manager: You can come in if you like and pick up an application.Potential: I don’t have a car right now. My mom gets off work at three, but I think she has to pick up my brother today. I might be able to come in tomorrow.Manager: Sounds good. We are open from 8 to 5.Potential: Thanks! Bye!


Sample Interview Conversation

This is a sample interview conversation. Look it over to help you have a positive and productive conversation with the people you interview.

Worker: Hello.

Student: Hi, may I speak with John Smith please.

Worker: This is John.

Student: John, my name is _(First and Last Name)_____. I am a student at (_School Name) . I am taking a career exploration unit in class and one of my assignments is to interview someone who has a job I am interested in. Do you have a few minutes to answer some questions for me?

Worker: Sure, what do you want to know?

Student: (Ask your first question)

Continue asking questions and taking notes on the answers you are given. Do not write word for word what the person tells you. Take notes and complete the worksheet later.

Once you have asked all of the questions you need to:

Student: Those are all of the questions I have. Thanks for your time!

Worker: You’re welcome.

Student: Goodbye.

Things to Think About… Be prepared to answer questions about yourself to the person you are interviewing

If you need the person to repeat something just ask

If you don’t understand something the person said, ask them to tell you what they mean

People are BUSY! Respect their time by being prepared and efficient


Interview Preparation Worksheet

From the list of careers you researched, choose two that you would like more information about. For this assignment you will contact a person who has that job and ask them some questions about what they do.

1. Which two jobs would you like to find more information about?

2. What are some resources you can use to help you find a person who has this job? Brainstorm a list below. (Examples would be asking people you know, calling local businesses, etc.)

Job Title Name of Person/Company Phone Number

3. Create a contact by filling out the list below to find people who you can interview for each job. Find contact information for two people for each job.

4. Before you contact the people on your list, you must complete the Phone Etiquette and Interview Assignments


Name:Date:


Use these worksheets to help you contact and interview the people in your career areas..

BEFORE YOU CALL… Complete the Phone Etiquette Assignment Read the Sample Interview Conversation

Contact Information

Name of Contact:___________________________ Company:_____________________

Job Title:____________________________ Phone Number:_______________________

You can come up with 1 or 2 additional questions that you might have specifically related to this job.

Questions1. What do you do at your job?

2. What education or training did you have to have?

3. What do you like most about your job?

4. What would you change about your job?

5. What are some important skills needed for your job?

6. I’m a high school student. Can you recommend two or three things that I can do now to prepare for this job?


Name:Date:


Use these worksheets to help you contact and interview the people in your career areas..

BEFORE YOU CALL… Complete the Phone Etiquette Assignment Read the Sample Interview Conversation

Contact Information

Name of Contact:___________________________ Company:_____________________

Job Title:____________________________ Phone Number:_______________________

You can come up with 1 or 2 additional questions that you might have specifically related to this job.

Questions

1. What do you do at your job?

2. What education or training did you have to have?


4. What would you change about your job?

5. What are some important skills needed for your job?

6. I’m a high school student. Can you recommend two or three things that I can do now to prepare for this job?


Job Shadow

ObjectiveSpend at least 2 hours observing someone who has a job that interests you in order to find out more about the job.

Directions1. Decide upon a job that you would like to know more about.2. Make contacts to the employer to determine if they will allow you to shadow.3. Set up a time and date to shadow. 4. Complete the Job Shadow Setup and submit it to your instructor before going to your

job shadow.5. During your shadow, ask the worker the questions on the Job Shadow Worksheet.6. After your job shadow, send a thank you note to the person you shadowed.7. Complete the Job Shadow Worksheet and turn it in to your instructor.

GradingYou will earn 50 points for attending you job shadow for at least 2 hours.

You will earn 20 points for completing the Job Shadow Worksheet.


Job Shadow Setup

Student Name __________________________________________________

Who will you shadow? ___________________________________________

What is his/her job title? _________________________________________

What is his/her phone number? ___________________________________

What company does he/she work for?_______________________________

What date will you shadow? ______________________________________

What time will you shadow? ______________________________________

How long will you be at your shadow? ______________________________

How will you get to your shadow?__________________________________

Once this sheet is completed, turn it in to your instructor for approval. You must get approval from your instructor before attending your shadow!


Job Shadow Worksheet (4 pages)

Student Name _________________________________________________

Teacher _______________________

Name of person shadowed _______________________________________

Job title/Occupation _________________________ Phone _____________

Company name ________________________________________________

Date of Shadow _____________________ Number of hours ____________

I confirm that the student listed above has completed the assigned 2 to 5 hour shadow required for Critical Skills.

_________________________________________ _______________Signature of person shadowed Date

________________________________________________ __________________Parent Signature Date

________________________________________________ __________________Student Signature Date


Interview Questions

Following are questions to be answered during your shadow. The person may not wish to answer all the questions. Get as much information about the career as possible.

1. What are the major responsibilities/duties associated with your job?

2. How did you get interested in this type of work?


4. What do you find most frustrating or like the least about your job?

5. What qualifications/training/education/experience are required for this position?

6. What are the most important skills needed/used in this position?

7. What is something that you’ve found interesting or surprising about this job, or something that most people really don’t know about this occupation? Any myths?

8. What is the outlook for this occupation?


9. What is the competition like to get this kind of job?

10. What advice would you offer to someone interested in this occupation?

11. Could you have done something different in high school to help prepare you for this career? If so, what?

12. Write your own question here:


Reflection Questions

Write a brief explanation of what you did and saw during your shadow.

What did you feel about what you learned? Are you still interested in this career? Was this experience worthwhile? Why or why not?


Which Direction Report

ObjectiveSummarize what you learned in this unit and how you can use the information to help you make decisions now, and in the future.

DirectionsWrite a report using the information you learned in this chapter. Use the guidelines below.

Format 2 pages or at least 500 words

12 point font, Times New Roman, double spaced

Include a title at the top of the first page

Include a header with your name and the assignment

Include page numbers

Spelling and grammar count!

Content of Report Introduction: Introduce yourself briefly. Describe what you did in this unit and

the purpose of this unit. Why is this stuff important to study?

Summary of findings: Summarize the results of each of your assignments into a paragraph (one paragraph per assignment). How is the information you found helpful to you?

Conclusion - Putting it together: When you consider all of the information you have gathered, what careers would best fit you? What things could/should you do now to help you move into that career later in life? What other information might you need to make a decision?

Feel free to add other information you believe is important and relevant to career exploration

Grading

Grading will be done with the rubric found on page 22.


Assignment: Which Direction Presentation

Odds are at some point in your career you will have to give a presentation to a group of people. This may be impromptu (on the spot without time to prepare) or a formal presentation that you have had time to prepare for. Presenting is a hard thing for many people. Nonetheless, it is an important skill to have! Here is your chance to practice by telling a group of people about your experience with this unit and how you might use the information you gathered.

ObjectiveSummarize what you learned in this unit and present your findings to a group of people by giving a short presentation.

DirectionsIt is recommended that you give your presentation after you have completed the written report.

Use your written report to help you develop a speech about what you learned in this unit. Practice your speech several times before you give it. Once you are ready to give your speech, contact your instructor to set up a time and place.

Format 3-5 minutes

Given to an audience determined by your instructor

You may use a paper or note card to help you but don’t read your entire speech

Use good eye contact, a clear voice and don’t fidget

Content Introduction: Tell the audience who you are and give them some background

information about yourself.

Discussion of your assignments: Tell the audience about your experiences completing the assignments in this unit. Give details!

What does it mean for you: Tell the audience how you can use the information to help you, what careers are best suited for you and what you might do next to prepare for those careers

Conclusion: Thank your audience and ask if they have any questions

GradingYou will be graded according to the rubric provided


Which Direction RubricsWritten Report

20 Points 15 Points 10 Points 5 Points

Format Typed, 12 pt. standard font, double spaced, title, header, page numbers, at least 500 words

Contains at least 6 of the formatting criteria listed

Contains at least 4 of the formatting criteria listed

Contains 3 or less of the formatting criteria listed

Spelling, Grammar and Organization

No more than 2 errorsWell Organized

No more than 4 errorsEvidence of some organization

No more than 7 errorsEvidence of some organization

More than 10 errorsPoorly Organized

Introductory Paragraph

Full description of all criteria Missing several of the listed criteriaLack of description

Summary of Findings

All assignment in unit discussed fully in a thoughtful manner

One assignment not discussedMost results discussed in a thoughtful manner

Two assignments not discussedSome results discussed in a thoughtful manner

Three or more assignments not discussedFew or none of the results are discussed thoughtfully

Conclusion Paragraph

Considers results in discussionThoughtfully discusses possible careers and next steps

Some consideration of resultsSome discussion of careers and next steps

Results not considered in discussionMissing possible careers or next stepsLittle effort in discussion

Oral Report15 Points 10 Points 5 Points 3 Points

Organization and Length

Clear organization and consistent flowBetween 3-5 minutes

Organized with some interruptions in flowOver or under time 30 sec.

Not well organizedInconsistent flow1 minute over or under

UnorganizedInconsistent flowMore than 1:30 over or under

Content Includes introduction, discussion of results, possible careers and next steps. Discussed in detail

Includes all components listed Most discussed in detail

Missing one componentSome details missing

Missing several componentsLittle or no details given

Delivery Clear voice, eye contact, good posture, not fidgeting, does not read entire report, practice evident

All but one of the criteria listed is done well

All but two of the criteria listed is done well

Four or more of the criteria are not done well


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