Lesson Plan
Pathfinder Lesson Plan
Student will complete self-assessment worksheets to clarify interests, skills, and values, then research and evaluate at least two career paths that align with their profile.
Understanding personal strengths and values empowers students to make informed career decisions, increases motivation, and builds lifelong planning skills.
Audience
10th Grade
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Combine self-assessment with targeted career research.
Materials
- Career Interest Inventory Worksheet, - Skills and Values Reflection Sheet, - Online Career Resource List, and - Computer with Internet Access
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Review Career Interest Inventory Worksheet and Skills and Values Reflection Sheet
- Ensure the Online Career Resource List is accessible
- Test computer and internet connection
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Explain the lesson’s goal: link personal traits to careers
- Ask: “What jobs interest you and why?”
- Preview activities: self-assessment, research, reflection
Step 2
Self-Assessment
15 minutes
- Distribute Career Interest Inventory Worksheet
- Student completes interests survey
- Hand out Skills and Values Reflection Sheet
- Student lists top 3 skills and values
- Discuss highlights briefly
Step 3
Career Research
20 minutes
- Share Online Career Resource List
- Student selects two careers matching their profile
- Use online sources to note: job description, required skills, average salary
- Encourage bookmarking or saving key links
Step 4
Reflection & Planning
15 minutes
- Student compares the two researched careers
- Complete reflection prompts: alignment with interests, pros/cons, next steps
- Decide which career feels most motivating and why
Step 5
Conclusion
5 minutes
- Summarize findings and chosen career path
- Outline next steps: informational interviews, job shadowing, skill-building
- Set a goal for one follow-up action this week
Slide Deck
Pathfinder: Discover Careers
Exploring Your Interests, Skills & Values to Find the Right Career
Welcome the student and introduce the session.
Explain that today we’ll connect personal traits to career options.
Learning Objectives
• Identify your personal interests
• Clarify your skills & values
• Research and evaluate two potential careers
Review the three learning objectives aloud.
Help the student understand why each is important.
Session Overview
- Self-Assessment Activities
- Career Research
- Reflection & Planning
- Conclusion & Next Steps
Give the student an overview of today’s flow.
Emphasize how each step builds on the last.
Step 1: Assess Your Interests
• What activities excite you?
• Rate each interest 1 (low) to 5 (high)
• Note your top 3 interest areas
Explain the Career Interest Inventory Worksheet.
Encourage honest answers and quick responses.
Step 2: Identify Skills & Values
• List your top 3 skills (e.g., problem-solving, creativity)
• List your top 3 personal values (e.g., helping others)
• Why are these important to you?
Introduce the Skills & Values Reflection Sheet.
Ask the student to think of real examples.
Step 3: Research Careers
• Choose two careers matching your interests & skills
• Use online sources to gather: job description, required skills, salary
• Save or bookmark key links
Guide the student to the Online Career Resource List.
Show how to bookmark useful pages.
Research Checklist
- Job Title & Description
- Required Education & Skills
- Average Salary & Benefits
- Job Outlook & Growth
- Typical Day-to-Day Tasks
Break down each research task.
Model one example briefly.
Step 4: Reflect & Plan
• Compare Career A vs. Career B
• Pros & Cons of each
• Which aligns best with your profile?
• Next steps for your top choice
Explain the reflection prompts.
Encourage honest comparison.
Next Steps
• Conduct an informational interview
• Arrange a job shadow or site visit
• Begin skill-building or certification
• Set one concrete goal for this week
Present actionable follow-up ideas.
Help the student pick one to focus on this week.
Summary & Your Goal
Today you:
• Completed self-assessments
• Researched two careers
• Reflected & chose a path
Your chosen career: ___________
Your goal this week: ___________
Summarize the session and student’s decisions.
Encourage commitment to their chosen next step.
Worksheet
Career Interest Inventory Worksheet
Instructions: For each activity below, rate your interest from 1 (Not Interested) to 5 (Very Interested). Circle or mark the number that best describes how excited you feel about doing that activity. Then jot down any quick thoughts about why you chose that rating.
- Solving puzzles and logical challenges
Rate: 1 2 3 4 5
Notes: ___________________________________________ - Working with numbers and data analysis
Rate: 1 2 3 4 5
Notes: ___________________________________________ - Creating art, design, or visual media
Rate: 1 2 3 4 5
Notes: ___________________________________________ - Helping or teaching others
Rate: 1 2 3 4 5
Notes: ___________________________________________ - Working outdoors, with nature, or hands-on tasks
Rate: 1 2 3 4 5
Notes: ___________________________________________ - Writing stories, articles, or reports
Rate: 1 2 3 4 5
Notes: ___________________________________________ - Leading a team or organizing events
Rate: 1 2 3 4 5
Notes: ___________________________________________ - Researching, investigating, or exploring ideas
Rate: 1 2 3 4 5
Notes: ___________________________________________ - Building or fixing things (e.g., mechanical, technical)
Rate: 1 2 3 4 5
Notes: ___________________________________________ - Working with computers, coding, or technology
Rate: 1 2 3 4 5
Notes: ___________________________________________
My Top 3 Interests
- ___________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
Use your selected top interests to guide the next steps in exploring potential careers. Be ready to share these with your teacher in our next activity.
Worksheet
Skills & Values Reflection Sheet
Instructions: Use the tables below to list your top 3 skills and top 3 personal values. For each item, write a brief explanation of why it’s meaningful to you.
Skills Reflection
| Skill | Why is this a strength for me? |
|---|---|
| 1. ___________________________ | |
| 2. ___________________________ | |
| 3. ___________________________ |
Values Reflection
| Value | Why is this important to me? |
|---|---|
| 1. ___________________________ | |
| 2. ___________________________ | |
| 3. ___________________________ |
Be ready to discuss how your identified skills and values might guide your career choices in our next activity.
Reading
Online Career Resource List
Use these trusted websites to explore careers, learn about job descriptions, required skills, salary ranges, and growth outlooks. Bookmark pages you find helpful for your research.
- O*NET OnLine (https://www.onetonline.org)
- A comprehensive database of occupations.
- Use the “Occupation Search” to see detailed job descriptions, skills, and interests match.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook (BLS) (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/)
- Published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Find data on job duties, education requirements, pay, and job outlook.
- My Next Move (https://www.mynextmove.org)
- Interactive site sponsored by O*NET.
- Search by keyword, industry, or interest area.
- CareerOneStop (https://www.careeronestop.org)
- Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
- Explore occupation profiles, training options, and local job listings.
- BigFuture™ Career Search (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/career-search)
- From the College Board.
- Browse careers by subject interest and potential college majors.
- Indeed Career Guide (https://www.indeed.com/career-advice)
- Articles and videos on career paths, resumes, and interviews.
- Read real-world insights about day-to-day life in various jobs.
Tips for Effective Research:
- Compare information across at least two sources for each career.
- Note down the education needed, core duties, and average salary.
- Look for videos or “day in the life” interviews to see jobs in action.
- Save or bookmark pages so you can revisit them during Reflection & Planning.