Discovering Your Future: Career Exploration

Alison Nowicki

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Discovering Your Future: Career Exploration

Explore different career paths

This lesson encourages students to explore different career paths by researching various professions and reflecting on their personal interests and skills. Students will engage in group discussions and presentations to share their findings, fostering a collaborative learning environment. This lesson is important as it helps students understand the diversity of career options available and aligns their personal interests with potential career paths, promoting self-awareness and future planning.

Audience

10th Grade Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Explore different career paths

Materials

Post-it notes, Pens, Career Exploration Worksheet, Discussion Questions, and Presentation Guidelines

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a brief discussion on the importance of career exploration.
Ask students what they think about when they hear 'career exploration'.
Introduce the objectives of the lesson: to explore various career paths and reflect on personal interests.

Step 2

Research Activity

20 mins

Distribute the Career Exploration Worksheet.
Instruct students to choose a career they are interested in and research it using available resources (internet, books, etc.).
Encourage them to note down key information such as job responsibilities, required skills, and educational pathways.

Step 3

Group Discussion

15 mins

Divide students into small groups.
Provide each group with Discussion Questions to guide their conversation.
Encourage students to share their research findings and personal reflections with their group.

Step 4

Presentations

10 mins

Ask each group to present a summary of their discussion to the class.
Provide Presentation Guidelines to help structure their presentations.
Allow time for questions and feedback from peers.

Step 5

Closure

5 mins

Recap the key points discussed during the lesson.
Encourage students to continue exploring careers and reflect on their interests.
Assign a short reflection task for homework: "What career path interests you the most and why?"

Discussion

Career Exploration Discussion

A discussion to help students share their research findings and reflect on different career paths.

What career did you research and what did you learn about it?

Encourage students to share specific details about the career, such as job responsibilities and required skills.

How does this career align with your personal interests and skills?

Guide students to reflect on their personal interests and how they relate to the career they researched.

What surprised you about this career?

Encourage students to think about any new information they discovered that changed their perception of the career.

Worksheet

Career Exploration Worksheet

A worksheet to guide students in researching a career of their choice and reflecting on their findings.

Choose a career and list its main responsibilities.

Consider what a typical day might look like in this career.

What skills and education are required for this career?

Look for specific qualifications and skills needed.

Why does this career interest you?

Reflect on your personal interests and how they align with this career.