Activity
What Shall I Be?
Subject
English Language Arts (2005), Career Development and Occupational Studies, English Language Arts (NYS P-12 Common Core), Social Studies (NYS K-12 Framework Common Core), Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects (NYS 6-12 Common Core)
Grade Levels
6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade
Assessment
- Teacher/student-generated rubric is used to evaluate presentation.
- Visual display and classroom career book are evaluated.
Authors
Melissa Dixon, Patricia Molloy, and Carol Varsalona.
Duration
5 periods
Essential Questions
- Why do the choices I make now matter to my future?
- How do I find out what I want to know?
- How do I develop the skills and abilities that I need to be successful in a career?
Description
Objective: Students will research the job market through the Internet.
- Teacher invites a representative from the Department of Labor, the Chamber of Commerce, or other organizations to speak about careers in the 21st century.
- Students take personal interest inventories or aptitude surveys to determine appropriate areas of interest. Students can also interview fellow students to generate a list of personal interests, aptitudes, and abilities.
- Students choose one career area that reflects their interests and abilities.
- Teacher presents information on various means of researching career information, explaining the website CareerZone and what can be found there.
- Students access the Internet address https://www.careerzone.ny.gov/views/careerzone/index.jsf to research the occupation of choice.
- The teacher and students create a rubric of what is to be included in the presentation.
- Students prepare a presentation including at least the following information:
- Availability of jobs in various geographic areas
- Title of career
- Education requirements
- Job outlook
- Job responsibilities
- Average salary
- Students create a PowerPoint (or other graphics program) presentation of their findings. The presentation must include both a visual display and a verbal explanation.
- The computer presentations are printed and combined to make a class resource on careers.
Website(s)
CareerZone
Materials / Resources
- PowerPoint or other presentation program
- Supplies for classroom book on careers
- Personal interest inventories/aptitude surveys
- Internet access
- Speakers
Comments / Modifications
- Projects can be completed in pairs.
- Presentations can be videotaped to allow for peer review.
- Take a field trip to local business sites to learn about specific careers.
Source
Melissa Dixon, Patricia Molloy, and Carol Varsalona. “What Shall I Be?” In Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Resource Guide with Core Curriculum. New York State Department of Education, 104.
