Lesson Plan
Future You Lesson Plan
Students will identify their personal interests and strengths, explore matching careers through interactive activities, and set a short-term goal to develop a related skill.
Introducing career readiness early helps students connect classroom learning to future possibilities, boosting motivation, self-awareness, and goal-setting skills.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and career-matching activity.
Materials
- Future You Career Quest Slide Deck, - Career Traits & Interests Worksheet, - Personal Goal-Setting Template, and - Chart Paper and Markers
Prep
Prepare Lesson Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of the Career Traits & Interests Worksheet and Personal Goal-Setting Template for each student
- Load the Future You Career Quest Slide Deck on the classroom projector or smartboard
- Set up chart paper and markers at the front of the room for note-taking during discussions
- Review the slide content and prompts to familiarize yourself with the flow of the lesson
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Display Slide 1 of the Future You Career Quest Slide Deck and ask: “What do you enjoy doing in your free time?”
- Invite several students to share hobbies or activities they love
- Record key interests on chart paper to visualize the variety of tastes in the class
Step 2
Self-Reflection
8 minutes
- Distribute the Career Traits & Interests Worksheet
- Instruct students to list 3 interests and 3 personal strengths (e.g., problem-solving, creativity)
- Pair-share: students discuss one interest and one strength with a partner, noting any surprises or new ideas
Step 3
Career Exploration & Matching
10 minutes
- Show Slides 2–5 of the Future You Career Quest Slide Deck, each highlighting different careers and what they involve
- Ask students to match their own interests and strengths from the worksheet to any career examples shown
- Encourage students to suggest additional careers if they don’t see a perfect match
- Briefly discuss how diverse skills can apply in many roles
Step 4
Goal Setting & Closing
7 minutes
- Hand out the Personal Goal-Setting Template
- Prompt students to choose one career of interest and write a short-term goal to develop a related skill (e.g., “I will practice public speaking by sharing my book review in class.”)
- Invite volunteers to share their goals with the class
- Praise each contribution and remind students that setting goals helps them grow toward their futures
Slide Deck
Future You: Career Quest
A 6th Grade Career Readiness Lesson
30 minutes | Tier 1 Classroom Activity
Welcome everyone! Today we’ll embark on our Career Quest. We’ll explore what you love, your strengths, and how those can connect to future jobs. Let’s dive in!
Warm-Up: Your Hobbies
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
• Hobbies
• Activities
• Passions
Ask: “What do you enjoy doing in your free time?” Invite 3–4 volunteers to share. Record key hobbies on chart paper to build our class list of interests.
Reflect on Your Interests & Strengths
- List 3 things you enjoy doing.
- List 3 personal strengths (e.g., creativity, problem-solving).
- Share one interest and one strength with a classmate.
Distribute the Career Traits & Interests Worksheet. Give students 2–3 minutes to list three interests and three strengths. Then prompt a quick pair-share about one of each.
Explore Careers
Here are some careers and what they involve:
• Engineer – designs and builds solutions for problems. [Image]
• Chef – creates recipes and prepares meals. [Image]
• Graphic Designer – uses art and technology to make visuals. [Image]
• Teacher – plans lessons and helps students learn. [Image]
Introduce each career example. Point out the skills used in each role. Encourage students to think of other careers they know.
Matching Activity
- Choose 2–3 careers from the examples.
- For each, write how your interests or strengths fit that career.
- Be ready to explain your matches.
Ask students to look at their worksheet and the careers shown. Prompt them to note which careers match their interests or strengths and why.
Set a Short-Term Goal
• Pick one career you find exciting.
• Write a goal to build a related skill (e.g., practice public speaking).
• Include when and how you will work on it.
Hand out the Personal Goal-Setting Template. Guide students to pick one career interest and write a short-term goal to develop a related skill.
Looking Ahead
Great work today! Keep exploring your interests,
building your strengths, and working on your goals.
Your future is an exciting adventure!
Praise everyone for their thoughtful reflections and goals. Encourage students to keep using their worksheets and templates as they grow. Wrap up and remind them that their future is full of possibilities.
Worksheet
Career Traits & Interests Worksheet
Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________
1. List Your Interests
Write three things you enjoy doing. These can be hobbies, activities, or passions.
- Interest #1:
- Interest #2:
- Interest #3:
2. List Your Strengths
Write three personal strengths. These can be skills, qualities, or talents.
- Strength #1:
- Strength #2:
- Strength #3:
3. Connecting Interests & Strengths to Careers
From today’s lesson, choose two careers we discussed. For each career, fill in the prompts below.
Career #1
Career Name:
Interest or Strength that fits this career:
Explain how your interest or strength connects to this career:
Career #2
Career Name:
Interest or Strength that fits this career:
Explain how your interest or strength connects to this career:
Worksheet
Personal Goal-Setting Template
Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________
1. Career of Interest
Which career did you choose?
2. My Short-Term Goal
Write one specific, measurable goal to build a skill related to your chosen career. (Begin with "I will…" and include when by.)
3. Action Steps
List three steps you will take to reach your goal.
- Step 1: ________________________
- Step 2: ________________________
- Step 3: ________________________
4. Timeline
When will you complete each step?
- Step 1 by: ________________________
- Step 2 by: ________________________
- Step 3 by: ________________________
5. How I Will Know I Succeeded
Describe how you will measure or show your progress (e.g., feedback, practice results).
6. Who Can Help Me?
List people or resources (friends, family, teachers, websites) that can support you.
Warm Up
Hobbies Warm-Up
Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________
1. My Hobbies
List two things you enjoy doing in your free time. These can be activities, hobbies, or passions.
- Hobby #1: ________________________
- Hobby #2: ________________________
2. Skills in Action
For each hobby above, write one skill or strength you use when you do it.
- For Hobby #1, Skill: ________________________
- For Hobby #2, Skill: ________________________
3. Share & Connect
Turn to a partner and share one of your hobbies and the skill you use. Listen to their hobby and skill too.
Partner’s Hobby: ________________________
Partner’s Skill: ________________________
Why do you think it’s important to notice the skills you use in your hobbies?
Cool Down
Career Reflection Exit Ticket
Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________
1. What is one thing you learned today about connecting your interests and strengths to a career?
2. Which career example stood out to you and why?
3. What is one short-term goal you wrote (or plan to write) to build a skill for your chosen career?