Exploring College Majors and Careers

Candace Minor-Chism

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Exploring College Majors and Careers

Identify interests and career paths

Students will investigate various college majors and career paths to identify their interests and make informed decisions about their future. This lesson will help students gain a deeper understanding of their possible future educational and career options and how their current choices can impact their future.

Audience

7th and 8th Grade Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Identify interests and career paths

Materials

Internet access, Career Exploration Worksheet, and Discussion Guide

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Welcome the students and briefly explain the importance of thinking about their future careers.
State the lesson's objectives: "Today, we will explore different college majors and careers to help you start thinking about your future interests and goals."
Set the context by discussing how different career paths require different educational backgrounds.

Step 2

Investigation

35 mins

Distribute the Career Exploration Worksheet.
Instruct students to use the internet to research at least three different college majors and the careers associated with them.
Guide students to note the following for each major:
- Required courses and skills
- Potential careers and job roles
- Average salaries and job market trends
Encourage students to think about their interests and how they align with the majors they are researching.

Step 3

Discussion and Reflection

15 mins

Facilitate a class discussion using the Discussion Guide.
Ask students to share what they found most surprising or interesting about the majors and careers they researched.
Guide students to reflect on how their personal interests might influence their career choices.
Summarize key points from the discussion and emphasize the value of early career exploration.

Worksheet

Career Exploration Worksheet

This worksheet will guide students in researching different college majors and related careers. They will document the required courses, skills, potential careers, and additional details for each major.

1. Major #1: Write down the name and required courses for this major.

2. Major #1: List potential careers associated with this major.

3. Major #1: Note the average salary for the careers in this major.

4. Major #2: Write down the name and required courses for this major.

5. Major #2: List potential careers associated with this major.

6. Major #2: Note the average salary for the careers in this major.

7. Major #3: Write down the name and required courses for this major.

8. Major #3: List potential careers associated with this major.

9. Major #3: Note the average salary for the careers in this major.

Discussion

College Majors and Careers Discussion

This guide will help facilitate a discussion on the students' findings and reflections on college majors and career paths.

What did you find most surprising or interesting about the majors and careers you researched?

Encourage students to share their findings and experiences. Highlight any recurring themes or unique discoveries.

How do your personal interests align with the majors and careers you researched?

Prompt students to think about their hobbies, strengths, and favorite subjects and how these can translate into a career.

Why is it important to start thinking about careers at an early age?

Discuss the benefits of early career exploration, such as better readiness for high school and college decisions, motivation, and understanding the relevance of their current education.