Career Exploration: Discovering Your Interests

Catherine Cooper

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Career Exploration: Discovering Your Interests

Identify personal interests and strengths

Students will engage in activities and discussions to identify their interests and strengths, providing a foundation for exploring potential career paths. This lesson is important as it helps students align their future aspirations with their personal attributes, leading to more informed career choices.

Audience

High School Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Identify personal interests and strengths

Materials

Pens, Paper, Worksheet: Interest Inventory, and Discussion Questions: Career Exploration

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin by welcoming the students and explaining the objectives of the lesson. Share the importance of understanding their interests and strengths when exploring career options. Briefly discuss how aligning careers with personal interests can lead to greater job satisfaction and success.

Step 2

Activity: Interest Inventory

20 mins

Distribute the 'Interest Inventory' worksheet to all students. Instruct them to take their time filling it out, noting their hobbies, activities they enjoy, subjects they are passionate about, and any skills or talents they have. Encourage them to be honest and thorough.

Step 3

Group Discussion

20 mins

Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with the 'Career Exploration' discussion questions. Have each group discuss their answers to the inventory and how their identified interests and strengths could relate to potential career paths. After the discussion time, ask each group to share their insights with the whole class.

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Reflection

10 mins

Reconvene as a class and summarize the key points discussed. Encourage students to reflect on what they have learned about themselves and discuss any new career ideas they are now considering. Conclude the lesson by emphasizing the importance of continuous self-discovery and how it plays a role in career planning.

Worksheet

Interest Inventory

This worksheet helps students identify their interests, hobbies, and strengths. This information will be used in a group discussion to explore potential career paths.

List your top 5 hobbies or activities you enjoy doing.

Think about what you do in your free time.

What subjects or classes do you excel in or enjoy the most?

This could be related to school subjects or any other type of class you have taken.

What are some skills or talents that you have?

These could be both personal and academic skills.

Describe a project or activity where you felt engaged and successful.

This could be a school assignment, a personal project, or a group activity.

Discussion

Career Exploration

A guided discussion for small groups to explore how their interests and strengths can relate to various career paths.

How do your hobbies relate to potential career fields?

Encourage students to think creatively about how their personal interests could be translated into a career.

What careers might align with the subjects or classes you enjoy?

Help students recognize the connection between their academic strengths and career options.

How can your skills and talents be used in a professional setting?

Guide students to see the practical applications of their abilities in various job roles.

What types of careers might provide the same sense of engagement and success as the projects or activities you described?

Encourage students to reflect on past experiences to identify potential career paths that match their interests.