#4135. Career Choice Comparison

other, level: Senior
Posted Sun Mar 23 16:40:39 PST 2008 by Keisha Crenshaw (Keisha Crenshaw).
Materials Required: Computers with Inspiration 8.0, overhead projector and screen, internet access
Activity Time: 5 to 7 class sessions
Concepts Taught: Career planning and research, internet searching and oral presentation

CAREER CHOICE COMPARISON LESSON PLAN

Content
• Students will research and explore career choices
• Students will evaluate their interests and abilities and link them to possible career choices
• Students will organize a diagram, using Inspiration Software, comparing two possible career choices
• Students will present their findings to the class

Benchmarks
• This assignment is intended to enhance Career and Employability Skills, specifically Michigan Content Standard 2: Career Planning 2. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of working for self and working for others, and being an employee of a large or small organization.

Resources and Materials
• Computers with Inspiration Software
• Overhead projector and screen
• Internet access
• One copy of Inspiration Directions for each student
• List of career evaluation criteria

Introduction
• An open classroom discussion will take place about career choices
• Each student will be asked to write down what they think their ideal job would be
• Students will be asked about current/past jobs, if any
• Teacher will present a sample diagram comparing two of her past jobs, using an Inspiration template

Methods/Procedures
• This will be an individual assignment
• Students can research their career choices online or using any other suitable source (i.e. classified ads, industry magazines, library resources)
• Computer lab time can be used to create their diagram using Inspiration
• Career evaluation criteria include:
-training or education required
-personal interest
-benefits/compensation
-travel/location
-company size
-flexibility of scheduling
-advancement opportunity

Accommodations/Adaptations
• Students will have various choices such as using their current or past job and comparing it to a future possibility
• The future career objective can include some form of entrepreneurship
• Students will give a presentation in which they should clearly discuss the two options they have chosen to research

Assessment/Evaluation
• Students will be given criteria on which to compare the career choices
• Students will be graded on:
-the visual clarity of their diagram
-the description of each career option
-their presentation and understanding of the differences in career choices

Closure
• The assignment will conclude with another open class discussion on:
-if and why their thoughts have changed on their ideal career choice
-if they have been inspired by their classmates' research
-students will again write down what they think their ideal job would be
• Students will write a brief summary of what was different than they expected