Lesson Plan
Career Path Explorers Lesson Plan
Students will explore different career options and match each to its required education level through interactive discussions and hands-on activities.
Connecting classroom learning to real-world careers motivates students, helps them set future goals, and fosters an understanding of the value of education.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive presentation, sorting activity, game, and quiz.
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Career Paths Slide Deck.
- Print and cut the Degree Level Sorting Activity Cards.
- Prepare the Career Bingo Game Cards and bingo markers.
- Print copies of the Career Options Warm-Up Sheet and the Career Path Quick Quiz.
Step 1
Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Distribute the Career Options Warm-Up Sheet.
- Ask students to brainstorm three careers they know and write them down.
- Invite a few volunteers to share and discuss why they chose those careers.
Step 2
Presentation
8 minutes
- Use the Career Paths Slide Deck to introduce 5–6 diverse careers.
- For each career, highlight the typical education level required (high school diploma, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate).
- Encourage students to ask questions about any unfamiliar careers.
Step 3
Sorting Activity
7 minutes
- Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of Degree Level Sorting Activity Cards.
- Instruct groups to sort the career cards under headings: High School, Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s/Doctorate.
- Circulate and support groups as needed; review correct answers together.
Step 4
Career Bingo Game
5 minutes
- Hand out the Career Bingo Game Cards and markers.
- Call out education levels randomly; students mark careers on their bingo cards that match.
- First student to get a bingo shares one career and its education requirement.
Step 5
Quiz & Wrap-Up
5 minutes
- Administer the Career Path Quick Quiz.
- Collect quizzes; review answers aloud, reinforcing key points.
- Ask students to name one new career they’d like to learn more about and why.
Slide Deck
Career Path Explorers
How does what you learn in school help shape your future careers?
Welcome, everyone! Today we're going to explore different career paths and learn how your education in school connects to your future jobs.
Today's Roadmap
- Warm-Up Brainstorm
- Careers Presentation
- Degree Sorting Activity
- Career Bingo Game
- Quick Quiz & Wrap-Up
Outline the lesson flow so students know what to expect.
Career Spotlight: Doctor
Education Required: Doctorate (MD)
Role: Caring for patients, diagnosing illnesses, and prescribing treatment.
Explain the role of doctors, emphasize the years of schooling needed (bachelor’s + medical school).
Career Spotlight: Engineer
Education Required: Bachelor’s in Engineering
Role: Designing, building, and testing structures, machines, or systems to solve problems.
Discuss different branches (civil, mechanical, etc.) but focus on the education timeline.
Career Spotlight: Teacher
Education Required: Bachelor’s in Education
Role: Planning lessons, teaching students, and supporting learning.
Mention the importance of teaching credentials and continued professional development.
Career Spotlight: Software Developer
Education Required: Bachelor’s in Computer Science
Role: Writing and testing code to build apps, websites, and software tools.
Highlight how coding skills build on math and logic learned in school.
Career Spotlight: Chef
Education Required: High School Diploma (or Certificate/Associate in Culinary Arts)
Role: Creating recipes, preparing meals, and managing the kitchen.
Explain that some chefs attend specialized culinary schools; others start with high school and work experience.
Career Spotlight: Artist
Education Required: Varies (High School to Bachelor’s)
Role: Creating paintings, sculptures, or digital art to express ideas and tell stories.
Point out that artists can follow many educational paths and build portfolios.
Career Spotlight: Pharmacist
Education Required: Doctorate (PharmD)
Role: Preparing and dispensing medications, advising patients on proper drug use.
Explain pharmacy school and internship requirements; emphasize strong science background.
Career Spotlight: Electrician
Education Required: High School Diploma + Apprenticeship
Role: Installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring and systems.
Describe apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training following high school.
Career Spotlight: Pilot
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree + Flight Training
Role: Flying passengers or cargo and ensuring flight safety.
Mention flight school and FAA certification in addition to a bachelor’s degree.
Career Spotlight: Veterinarian
Education Required: Doctorate (DVM)
Role: Diagnosing and treating animal illnesses and performing surgeries.
Highlight veterinary school requirements and love of animals.
Career Spotlight: Graphic Designer
Education Required: Associate’s or Bachelor’s in Graphic Design
Role: Creating visual concepts and layouts using computer software to communicate ideas.
Discuss portfolio development and different degree pathways (associate’s or bachelor’s).
Key Takeaways
• Careers need different education levels
• Planning ahead helps you set learning goals
• Keep exploring to find what you love!
Reinforce that every career has a different education path, and students can set goals accordingly.
Warm Up
Career Options Warm-Up
Think of three different careers you know. For each career, write the name and one reason why you chose it.
- Career: ____________________________
Reason: ____________________________ - Career: ____________________________
Reason: ____________________________ - Career: ____________________________
Reason: ____________________________
Activity
Degree Level Sorting Activity
Objective: Practice matching careers to their required education levels.
Instructions:
- Cut out the career cards at the bottom of this sheet.
- Work in your group to sort each card under the correct education heading in the chart below.
- When finished, compare answers with another group and discuss any differences.
Education Level Chart
| High School Diploma | Associate’s Degree | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s/Doctorate |
|---|---|---|---|
Career Cards (Cut on the dotted lines)
Doctor (MD)
Engineer (Bachelor’s)
Teacher (Bachelor’s)
Software Developer (Bachelor’s)
Chef (High School Diploma or Certificate/Associate’s)
Artist (Varies: High School to Bachelor’s)
Pharmacist (Doctorate - PharmD)
Electrician (High School Diploma + Apprenticeship)
Pilot (Bachelor’s Degree + Flight Training)
Veterinarian (Doctorate - DVM)
Graphic Designer (Associate’s or Bachelor’s)
Nurse (Associate’s Degree)
Mechanic (High School Diploma + Certification)
Plumber (High School Diploma + Apprenticeship)
Architect (Bachelor’s Degree)
Accountant (Bachelor’s Degree)
Game
Career Bingo Game
Objective: Reinforce matching careers to their required education levels in a fun, interactive way.
Materials Needed:
- Career Bingo Game Cards (one per student)
- Bingo markers (coins, beans, or paper squares)
Instructions:
- Give each student a Career Bingo Game card and markers.
- Explain that you will call out an education level (e.g., "Bachelor’s degree").
- Students look for any career on their card that requires that education level and place a marker on each matching square.
- The first student to get five markers in a row—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally—shouts “BINGO!”
- The winner reads aloud each career they marked and states its education requirement to confirm.
Sample Bingo Card
| B | I | N | G | O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor (MD) | Chef | Artist | Teacher | Engineer (Bachelor’s) |
| Software Developer (BS) | Electrician (HS + Apprent.) | Librarian (MLIS) | Mechanic (HS + Cert.) | Journalist (BA) |
| Plumber (HS + Apprent.) | Pilot (BS + Flight Training) | FREE | Pharmacist (PharmD) | Environmental Scientist (BS) |
| Nurse (AS) | Graphic Designer (AA/BA) | Salesperson (HS) | Veterinarian (DVM) | Physical Therapist (DPT) |
| IT Specialist (BS) | Lawyer (JD) | Firefighter (HS + Academy) | Police Officer (HS + Academy) | Social Worker (BSW) |
Note to Teacher:
• You can create additional bingo cards by shuffling the careers or adding other jobs discussed in class.
• Call out the five education levels from today’s lesson (High School Diploma, Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s/Doctorate) in any order to keep students engaged.
Quiz
Career Path Quick Quiz