Decisions, decisions!
Which career should I choose?

Sharalyn Luciani

Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Introduction

How many times have you heard, "What are you going to do when you grow up?"  Growing up is not easy, especially with all of the decisions that come with it. Your future is around the corner and it's time for you to prepare.

In order to plan ahead, you need a destination, and that's why you're here.  This is your big opportunity to scout out some career choices and evaluate how your choice will affect your lifestyle.

You'll end up with a team presentation describing jobs in a job cluster and analyzing the pros and cons of those jobs..

Ready??? Let's go!
 
 

Each team will:

• determine a career cluster of  mutual interest
• brainstorm career characteristics to investigate
• produce a Power Point or Hyperstudio presentation about careers within the career cluster

• choose a career within the cluster to investigate
• research a career
• produce slides about that career for the group presentation
• analyze the pros and cons of career choices

 

 
 






Back to start



 
 
 
 
 
 

Take an interest inventory:
Lifestyle inventory
 

Learn about job clusters:
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Occupational Outlook Handbook- print version
The Encyclopedia of Careers
 

Prepare a web or just organize your information:
Inspiration download
 

Search for more materials in the public library catalog:
Baltimore County Public Library
 

Learn more about specific careers:
Ask Jeeves for Kids
Mapping Your Future

 

Find out what people think about their job:
Job Profiles
 

Interview people you know...

Back to start

Find out about job clusters:
1. In your teacher created teams of three or four people explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook or your text to identify a cluster you would like to investigate.

2. As a team, use a template in Inspiration to create a graphic representation of a job cluster. Define the cluster and identify many careers which belong to it.  Be prepared to present your product to the class as an introduction to the cluster.

3. As other groups present their job clusters,  identify a cluster you may be interested in.  Your teacher may also conduct an inventory to help you find out more on your interests.
 

Learn more about specific careers:
4. The teacher will regroup the class so that each group explores a different cluster.   Each group member, that's you, should select ONE job within the cluster to research.

5. Before you begin to research, as a group brainstorm important categories of information to find out about all jobs.  You may need to list these ideas so everyone knows what to look for.  Remember you are to find out as much as possible about the career.

6. Conduct your research using the resources above.  Take notes using note cards.  If you need help with note cards ask your media specialist or teacher.  Keep a bibliography list of resources you use.

Prepare a presentation:
7. Now its time for you to create a storyboard plan of at least three slides for a Power Point or Hyperstudio presentation.   Include all important information that you've collected.  In a final slide analyze several pros and cons of the career.

8. Put your presentation together using Power Point or Hyperstudio.

9. Once your team is ready, link your slides for a cluster centered presentation.  Remember to include an introduction and a conclusion to the entire show.
 
 

By now your group has created a presentation.  Remember that your final product is graded by a rubric and should reflect quality!  Is your content correct and up-to-date?  Do you have plenty of information on each career? Have you added a page of advantages and disadvantages for each career? Is there an overall group introduction and conclusion?

Keep in mind that your grade is reflected by the total presentation.

Link to the rubric now.
 
 

THIS IS YOUR LIFE!!!!
This project has hopefully given you an overview of many varied occupations.  It's time for you to make your own choices and set your own goals.

More to do:

Create a timeline which shows goals and strategies you must undertake in order to achieve your career.

Answer an online questionnaire to determine which careers may suit you.

 Career Profiling
Ideal Life Style Inventory (Bowling Green University

Baltimore County Career Connections
 

Teenagers Guide to the Real World - Career Information
 

Mapping Your Future