Interests to Careers Exploration
Connect interests to career fields
In this lesson, students will explore how their personal interests can align with various career fields. They will use online resources to investigate different career clusters and identify potential career paths that match their interests. This lesson is important as it encourages students to think about their future and understand the connection between their passions and potential careers, fostering early career awareness and planning.
Connect interests to career fields
Computers or tablets with internet access, Worksheet: Career Exploration, Discussion Questions, and Handout: Career Clusters Overview
Step 1
Introduction
10 mins
- Begin with a brief discussion on what a career is and why it's important to think about careers early.
- Ask students to share some of their interests and hobbies.
Step 2
Career Clusters Overview
10 mins
- Distribute the 'Career Clusters Overview' handout.
- Explain the concept of career clusters and how they group similar occupations.
- Highlight a few examples of career clusters and related jobs.
Step 3
Online Career Exploration
25 mins
- Provide students with computers or tablets.
- Guide them to use a specific online resource to explore different career clusters.
- Instruct students to choose a cluster that interests them and find at least three careers within that cluster.
Step 4
Worksheet Activity
10 mins
- Distribute the 'Career Exploration' worksheet.
- Have students fill out the worksheet with information about the careers they researched, including why they are interested in them.
Step 5
Closure and Discussion
5 mins
- Gather students for a closing discussion.
- Use the discussion questions to reflect on what they learned and how their interests can guide their career choices.
