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Career Quest Compass

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Lesson Plan

Career Quest Compass

Students will be able to research key aspects of a chosen career and reflect on its alignment with their personal interests, skills, and needs.

Understanding various career paths and how they align with individual strengths and aspirations is crucial for making informed decisions about future education and employment. This lesson provides a structured approach to initial career exploration.

Audience

11th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Students will use a guided worksheet to research a career and reflect on personal fit.

Materials

A computer or device with internet access per student or pair, Career Research Worksheet, Career Quest Slides, and Teacher Script: Career Quest

Prep

Review Materials & Setup

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Hook

5 minutes

  • Begin by presenting the Career Quest Slides and using the Teacher Script: Career Quest to introduce the lesson and its relevance.
    - Pose a question to the class to spark interest: "What do you want to be when you grow up? (Or at least, what are you curious about?)"
    - Briefly explain the purpose of the activity: to explore different careers using a structured research worksheet.

Step 2

Career Research Activity

20 minutes

  • Distribute the Career Research Worksheet to each student.
    - Instruct students to choose one career they are interested in researching.
    - Guide them to use reliable online resources (e.g., O*NET, Bureau of Labor Statistics, university career pages) to find information to fill out the worksheet.
    - Circulate around the room, offering assistance, answering questions, and ensuring students stay on task. Remind them to think critically about the open-ended reflection questions.

Step 3

Wrap-up & Share (Optional)

5 minutes

  • Ask students to complete the personal reflection section of the Career Research Worksheet.
    - Briefly bring the class together for an optional quick share-out: "What was one surprising thing you learned about your chosen career?" or "What's one question you still have?"
    - Collect the worksheets or instruct students on how to submit them digitally.
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Slide Deck

Your Future, Unlocked!

What's your dream job? What are you curious about?

Welcome students and introduce the exciting topic of career exploration. Emphasize that this is about discovering possibilities, not making a final decision today.

Embark on Your Career Quest!

Today, we're going to explore a career of your choice.

  • What does that job really involve?
  • What skills do you need?
  • How much can you earn?
  • Does it fit you?

Explain the purpose of today's activity: to delve deeper into careers using a structured worksheet. Highlight that this is about gathering information and reflecting.

Where to Find Your Clues

Use reliable sources to research your chosen career:

  • O*NET Online (onetonline.org)
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov/ooh)
  • University & College Career Pages
  • Informational Interview videos (YouTube)

Remind students where they can find reliable information. Suggest specific resources if possible (e.g., O*NET, BLS).

Your Mission (Worksheet Guide)

The Career Research Worksheet will guide your quest:

  1. Job Basics: What is it?
  2. Education & Skills: How do you get there?
  3. Money Matters: What's the salary?
  4. The Fit Factor: Is this for you?

Go over the main sections of the worksheet quickly so students know what to expect. Emphasize the reflection part.

Reflect & Connect

As you research, think about:

  • Does this career spark your interest?
  • Do your skills match?
  • Does it meet your future needs?
  • What surprised you?

Encourage students to think broadly and be open to new ideas. Stress that this is a personal journey.

Happy Questing!

You have 20 minutes to complete your research.

  • Choose a career you're curious about!
  • Use reliable sources.
  • Ask questions if you get stuck.

Let's discover your potential!

Conclude by telling students they have a set amount of time and that you are there to help. Reiterate the value of the activity.

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Worksheet

Career Research Worksheet: Your Future Path

Name: ___________________________ Date: ______________

Part 1: The Basics of the Job

  1. Career Title:


  2. Job Description: In your own words, briefly describe what someone in this career does on a daily/weekly basis.





  3. Work Environment: (Circle all that apply)
    • Indoors
    • Outdoors
    • Office Setting
    • Hospital/Clinic
    • School
    • Factory/Warehouse
    • Travel Required
    • Remote/Work from Home
    • Other: ______________________
  4. Typical Work Hours: (Circle one)
    • Standard 9-5 (Daytime)
    • Evenings
    • Weekends
    • Shift Work
    • Flexible Hours

Part 2: Education, Skills, & Training

  1. Required Education Level: (Circle the highest level generally needed)
    • High School Diploma / GED
    • Vocational Training / Certificate
    • Associate's Degree
    • Bachelor's Degree
    • Master's Degree
    • Doctorate (Ph.D., M.D., J.D., etc.)
  2. Key Skills & Qualities: List 3-5 important skills or personal qualities needed for this career.




  3. Training/Certifications: Are there any specific licenses, certifications, or on-the-job training required?




Part 3: Money Matters

  1. Average Starting Salary (Annual): $____________________
  2. Average Experienced Salary (Annual): $____________________
  3. Job Outlook: (Circle one)
    • Much faster than average growth
    • Faster than average growth
    • Average growth
    • Slower than average growth
    • Little or no change
    • Decline

Part 4: The Fit Factor (Personal Reflection)

  1. Interests: Does this career align with your personal interests? Explain why or why not.










  2. Skills: Do you think you have or could develop the skills needed for this career? Explain.










  3. Needs & Values: How well does this career meet your personal needs and values (e.g., work-life balance, helping others, creativity, high income, job security)?










  4. Overall Impression: Based on your research, would you want to learn more about this career in the future? Why or why not?










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Answer Key

Career Research Worksheet: Answer Key

This answer key provides guidance for grading the objective questions and criteria for evaluating the open-ended and reflective responses on the Career Research Worksheet.

Part 1: The Basics of the Job

  1. Career Title: (Student response will vary depending on chosen career.)

    • Assessment: Check for a clear and accurate career title.

  2. Job Description: (Student response will vary.)

    • Assessment: Look for a concise summary of typical tasks and responsibilities. The description should reflect understanding of the chosen career.

  3. Work Environment: (Student response will vary based on chosen career.)

    • Assessment: Students should accurately circle environments typical for their chosen career. Multiple selections are expected.

  4. Typical Work Hours: (Student response will vary based on chosen career.)

    • Assessment: Students should accurately circle the typical work hours for their chosen career.

Part 2: Education, Skills, & Training

  1. Required Education Level: (Student response will vary based on chosen career.)

    • Assessment: Students should accurately circle the generally required education level. For instance, a doctor would require a Doctorate, while an electrician might require Vocational Training/Certificate or an Associate's Degree.

  2. Key Skills & Qualities: (Student response will vary.)

    • Assessment: Look for 3-5 relevant and important skills/qualities that directly apply to the chosen career (e.g., for a software developer: problem-solving, coding, attention to detail).

  3. Training/Certifications: (Student response will vary.)

    • Assessment: Students should identify any specific licenses, certifications, or training relevant to their career (e.g., teaching certification for a teacher, bar exam for a lawyer).

Part 3: Money Matters

  1. Average Starting Salary (Annual): (Student response will vary.)

    • Assessment: Verify that the reported salary is a reasonable estimate based on typical sources (e.g., BLS, O*NET). Exact figures are not as important as showing research effort.

  2. Average Experienced Salary (Annual): (Student response will vary.)

    • Assessment: Verify that the reported salary is a reasonable estimate and generally higher than the starting salary. (Allow for a range).

  3. Job Outlook: (Student response will vary based on chosen career.)

    • Assessment: Students should accurately circle the job outlook category for their chosen career, based on sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Part 4: The Fit Factor (Personal Reflection)

  1. Interests: (Student response will vary; subjective.)

    • Assessment: Evaluate for thoughtful reflection. Does the student provide specific reasons or examples connecting their interests to the career? Do they explain why or why not there's an alignment?

  2. Skills: (Student response will vary; subjective.)

    • Assessment: Evaluate for thoughtful reflection. Does the student demonstrate self-awareness regarding their current skills and a realistic understanding of skill development for the career? Do they explain how they could develop skills if they don't currently possess them?

  3. Needs & Values: (Student response will vary; subjective.)

    • Assessment: Evaluate for thoughtful reflection. Does the student clearly articulate their personal needs and values and then connect them to aspects of the chosen career? (e.g., "I value work-life balance, and this career seems to have long, unpredictable hours, which might not fit for me.")

  4. Overall Impression: (Student response will vary; subjective.)

    • Assessment: Evaluate for thoughtful reflection. Does the student provide a clear stance (yes/no/maybe) and justify it with evidence from their research and personal reflection?
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Script

Teacher Script: Career Quest

Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)

(Display Career Quest Slides - Slide 1: "Your Future, Unlocked!")

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going on an exciting journey – a career quest! How many of you have ever thought about what you want to be when you 'grow up'? Or maybe, what jobs you're just curious about? (Pause for hands/responses). That's great! It's perfectly okay if you don't know yet, or if you change your mind a thousand times. The point of today is to start exploring some of those possibilities."

(Display Career Quest Slides - Slide 2: "Embark on Your Career Quest!")

"Today, we're going to dive into a career of your choice. We'll be looking at things like what the job actually involves, what skills you need to do it, how much you can expect to earn, and most importantly, whether it seems like a good fit for you and your unique interests, skills, and needs."

Career Research Activity (20 minutes)

(Display Career Quest Slides - Slide 3: "Where to Find Your Clues")

"To help you on your quest, you'll be using the Career Research Worksheet. But first, let's talk about where you can find reliable information. The internet is full of information, but it's important to use trustworthy sources. I recommend O*NET Online, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and reputable university career pages. You can even find great informational interviews on YouTube if you look for them."

(Display Career Quest Slides - Slide 4: "Your Mission (Worksheet Guide)")

"I'm going to hand out the Career Research Worksheet now. As you can see, it's divided into a few parts: 'Job Basics', 'Education & Skills', 'Money Matters', and 'The Fit Factor'. Your mission is to choose ONE career that you're genuinely curious about, and then use the online resources to fill out as much of the worksheet as you can."

(Display Career Quest Slides - Slide 5: "Reflect & Connect")

"Pay special attention to 'The Fit Factor' section. This is where you get to reflect on whether this career sparks your interest, if your skills match, and if it meets your future needs and values. Don't just copy-paste information; really think about what you're learning and how it connects to you.

(Display Career Quest Slides - Slide 6: "Happy Questing!")

"You'll have about 20 minutes for this research activity. I'll be walking around to answer any questions you might have or help you if you get stuck finding information. Choose wisely, research thoroughly, and most importantly, have fun exploring! Let's discover your potential!"

(Circulate around the room, offering guidance and answering questions.)

Wrap-up & Share (Optional) (5 minutes)

"Alright, everyone, bring your focus back up here. Please make sure you've completed the personal reflection section, 'The Fit Factor,' on your worksheet. It's the most important part!"

"Before we wrap up, would anyone like to share one surprising thing they learned about their chosen career? (Pause for volunteers). Or, what's one question you still have about career exploration after doing this activity?"

"Thank you all for your hard work and thoughtful exploration today. Please turn in your Career Research Worksheet to the tray/submit them digitally now."

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Answer Key

Career Research Worksheet: Answer Key

This answer key provides guidance for grading the objective questions and criteria for evaluating the open-ended and reflective responses on the Career Research Worksheet.

Part 1: The Basics of the Job

  1. Career Title: (Student response will vary depending on chosen career.)

    • Assessment: Check for a clear and accurate career title.

  2. Job Description: (Student response will vary.)

    • Assessment: Look for a concise summary of typical tasks and responsibilities. The description should reflect understanding of the chosen career.

  3. Work Environment: (Student response will vary based on chosen career.)

    • Assessment: Students should accurately circle environments typical for their chosen career. Multiple selections are expected.

  4. Typical Work Hours: (Student response will vary based on chosen career.)

    • Assessment: Students should accurately circle the typical work hours for their chosen career.

Part 2: Education, Skills, & Training

  1. Required Education Level: (Student response will vary based on chosen career.)

    • Assessment: Students should accurately circle the generally required education level. For instance, a doctor would require a Doctorate, while a electrician might require Vocational Training/Certificate or an Associate's Degree.

  2. Key Skills & Qualities: (Student response will vary.)

    • Assessment: Look for 3-5 relevant and important skills/qualities that directly apply to the chosen career (e.g., for a software developer: problem-solving, coding, attention to detail).

  3. Training/Certifications: (Student response will vary.)

    • Assessment: Students should identify any specific licenses, certifications, or training relevant to their career (e.g., teaching certification for a teacher, bar exam for a lawyer).

Part 3: Money Matters

  1. Average Starting Salary (Annual): (Student response will vary.)

    • Assessment: Verify that the reported salary is a reasonable estimate based on typical sources (e.g., BLS, O*NET). Exact figures are not as important as showing research effort.

  2. Average Experienced Salary (Annual): (Student response will vary.)

    • Assessment: Verify that the reported salary is a reasonable estimate and generally higher than the starting salary. (Allow for a range).

  3. Job Outlook: (Student response will vary based on chosen career.)

    • Assessment: Students should accurately circle the job outlook category for their chosen career, based on sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Part 4: The Fit Factor (Personal Reflection)

  1. Interests: (Student response will vary; subjective.)

    • Assessment: Evaluate for thoughtful reflection. Does the student provide specific reasons or examples connecting their interests to the career? Do they explain why or why not there's an alignment?

  2. Skills: (Student response will vary; subjective.)

    • Assessment: Evaluate for thoughtful reflection. Does the student demonstrate self-awareness regarding their current skills and a realistic understanding of skill development for the career? Do they explain how they could develop skills if they don't currently possess them?

  3. Needs & Values: (Student response will vary; subjective.)

    • Assessment: Evaluate for thoughtful reflection. Does the student clearly articulate their personal needs and values and then connect them to aspects of the chosen career? (e.g.,
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Career Quest Compass • Lenny Learning