Career Pathways Exploration

Shannon Janovitz

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Career Pathways Exploration

Identify interests and strengths

In this lesson, students will explore various career paths and identify their own interests and strengths. Through engaging activities, students will connect their personal passions with potential career opportunities, fostering self-awareness and future planning. This lesson is crucial for helping students make informed decisions about their future careers and educational paths.

Audience

12th Grade Students

Time

90 mins

Approach

Identify interests and strengths

Materials

Post-it notes, Pens, Career Interest Worksheet, and Career Pathways Discussion Questions

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a brief discussion on the importance of understanding personal interests and strengths in career planning.
Ask students to share what they think are their strengths and interests.

Step 2

Career Interest Worksheet

20 mins

Distribute the 'Career Interest Worksheet' to each student.
Instruct students to complete the worksheet, identifying their top interests and strengths.
Encourage students to think about activities they enjoy and subjects they excel in.

Step 3

Group Discussion

20 mins

Divide students into small groups.
Provide each group with 'Career Pathways Discussion Questions'.
Have students discuss their findings from the worksheet and explore potential career paths that align with their interests.

Step 4

Class Sharing

20 mins

Bring the class back together.
Ask each group to share key insights from their discussions.
Facilitate a class discussion on the variety of career paths and how different interests can lead to different opportunities.

Step 5

Reflection and Closure

20 mins

Ask students to reflect on what they learned about themselves and potential careers.
Have students write a short paragraph on how they plan to explore their identified career interests further.
Conclude with encouraging words about the importance of pursuing passions in career choices.

Worksheet

Career Interest Worksheet

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

List your top three interests and explain why they are important to you.

Think about activities you enjoy doing in your free time.

Identify three strengths you possess and how they could be applied in a career.

Consider skills or talents you have been praised for.

What career paths align with your interests and strengths?

Research careers that involve your interests and utilize your strengths.

Discussion

Career Pathways Discussion Questions

These questions guide group discussions on connecting personal interests and strengths with potential career paths.

What are some careers that align with your group's interests?

Encourage students to think broadly and consider unconventional careers.

How can your strengths be utilized in different career fields?

Discuss how skills can be transferable across various industries.

What steps can you take to explore these career paths further?

Consider internships, job shadowing, or further education.