Building Your Future: Career Exploration

Heidys Mendez

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Building Your Future: Career Exploration

Explore career options

This lesson introduces students to a variety of careers through interactive activities and guest speakers. Students will identify their interests and skills, aligning them with potential career paths. This lesson is important as it helps students begin to think about their future careers and understand the connection between their current education and future opportunities.

Audience

8th-10th Grade Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Explore career options

Materials

Post-it notes, Pens, Career Interest Worksheet, Guest Speaker Information Sheet, and Career Exploration Discussion Questions

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Welcome students and introduce the topic of career exploration.
Explain the importance of understanding personal interests and skills in choosing a career path.
Briefly outline the activities planned for the session.

Step 2

Interest and Skills Identification

15 mins

Distribute the Career Interest Worksheet.
Ask students to list their interests and skills.
Encourage students to think about activities they enjoy and subjects they excel in.
Facilitate a brief discussion on how these interests and skills can relate to potential careers.

Step 3

Career Exploration Activity

20 mins

Introduce the concept of different career paths.
Use the Guest Speaker Information Sheet to provide insights into various careers.
If possible, have a guest speaker share their career journey and answer questions.
Encourage students to take notes on careers that interest them.

Step 4

Discussion and Reflection

10 mins

Use the Career Exploration Discussion Questions to guide a class discussion.
Encourage students to share what they learned about different careers.
Discuss how their interests and skills align with the careers explored.

Step 5

Closure

5 mins

Summarize the key points of the lesson.
Encourage students to continue exploring careers and thinking about their future.
Provide resources for further career exploration.

Worksheet

Career Interest Worksheet

This worksheet helps students identify their interests and skills, which can guide them in exploring potential career paths.

List three activities you enjoy doing.

What subjects do you excel in at school?

Describe a skill you have that you are proud of.

What is a career you have considered in the past?

Discussion

Career Exploration Discussion Questions

These questions are designed to facilitate a discussion about career exploration and help students reflect on their interests and potential career paths.

What new career did you learn about today?

Encourage students to share specific details about the career and why it interests them.

How do your interests align with the careers we discussed?

Guide students to connect their personal interests with potential career paths.

What steps can you take now to prepare for a career you are interested in?

Discuss actionable steps such as taking relevant courses, volunteering, or seeking mentorship.