Dream Career Blueprint Guide

1. Career Choice
What is your dream career? Why are you drawn to this role?

2. Education & Training Pathway
• Required degree(s) or certifications:




• Recommended courses or training programs:




• Estimated timeline (years/months):

3. Required Skills
• Technical Skills:




• Soft Skills:

4. Typical Day-to-Day Responsibilities
Describe the daily tasks and duties of this profession.

5. Salary & Industry Growth
• Average entry-level salary:


• Average mid-career salary:


• Projected industry growth rate (next 5–10 years):

6. Short-Term Action Steps (Next 6 Months)
List 3–5 actions you can take soon (e.g., join a club, take a course).

7. Long-Term Goals & Timeline
Outline major milestones over the next 1, 3, and 5 years.

• 1 Year:
  
  
  
• 3 Years:
  
  
  
• 5 Years:
  
  
  

Career Role-Play Scenarios

Objective: Practice articulating what your chosen career entails, ask probing questions, and reflect on how your skills and goals align with the role.

Instructions:

• Pair up and choose one scenario below.
• Decide who will be the Professional (in the career) and who will be the Interviewer.
• The Professional draws on their research from the Dream Career Blueprint Guide.
• The Interviewer uses the prompts under each scenario to guide the conversation.
• Role‐play for 5 minutes, then swap roles (or pick a new scenario) for another 5 minutes.
• After both rounds, take 2 minutes to jot down any new insights or questions.

Scenario 1: Software Developer

Professional Profile: You’re a junior software developer at a tech startup. You write code, fix bugs, and collaborate with UX/UI designers to build new features.

Interviewer Prompts:

• What programming languages or tools do you use most often?
• How did you prepare academically and through extracurriculars to get this role?
• Describe a typical day on your team.
• What soft skills help you succeed in team projects?
• What challenges do you face when debugging or during code reviews?
• How do you keep your technical skills up to date?

Scenario 2: Registered Nurse

Professional Profile: You’re a registered nurse in a busy hospital ward. You monitor patient vitals, administer medications, and educate families on care plans.

Interviewer Prompts:

• Which certifications and clinical rotations prepared you for this role?
• How do you manage stress during a hectic shift?
• What are your primary responsibilities each day?
• Which communication skills are most important when talking with patients and doctors?
• Can you share a memorable patient‐care experience?
• What long‐term career goals do you have in healthcare?

Scenario 3: Graphic Designer

Professional Profile: You’re a graphic designer at an advertising agency. You create visual concepts for campaigns, work with art directors, and present ideas to clients.

Interviewer Prompts:

• What design software do you use, and how did you learn it?
• How did your portfolio and coursework help you land this job?
• Walk me through your creative process on a recent project.
• Which soft skills help you handle client feedback?
• How do you balance creativity with brand guidelines?
• What trends in design are you most excited about?

Scenario 4: Financial Analyst

Professional Profile: You’re a financial analyst at an investment firm. You analyze market trends, build financial models, and prepare recommendations for portfolio managers.

Interviewer Prompts:

• What degree and internships did you complete to enter this field?
• Describe a time you used data to influence a decision.
• What technical tools (e.g., Excel, Bloomberg Terminal) do you rely on?
• How do you communicate complex financial information to non‐experts?
• What ethical considerations inform your analysis?
• How do you stay informed about global market changes?

Debrief:
After both rounds, share with your partner one surprising insight and one question you still have. Be prepared to discuss these with the whole class during the wrap‐up.

Blueprint Presentation Rubric

Assess each student’s Dream Career Blueprint presentation using a 4-point scale (4 = Exceeds Expectations; 3 = Meets Expectations; 2 = Approaching Expectations; 1 = Beginning) across five criteria.

Total Score: ___ / 20

Dream Job Icebreaker

Time: 5 minutes
Objective: Get students thinking about their ideal professions and why those careers inspire them.

Directions:

1. Take 2 minutes to silently reflect and answer the prompts below.
2. Pair up with a neighbor and share your responses for 2 minutes each.
3. Be prepared to share one interesting insight with the whole class.

Your Turn – Write Your Responses:

1. My dream job is:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. I am drawn to this career because:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. One skill or quality I think I need to succeed in this role is:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Next Steps:
We’ll build on these ideas today as we work through the Dream Career Blueprint Outline. Good luck!

Exit Ticket: Key Insight

Time: 5 minutes

1. What is one key insight you gained today about your dream career?

2. How will this insight influence your next steps or research?

3. One question you still have about planning your Dream Career Blueprint: