Lesson Plan
Career Quest Project Guide
Students will research a chosen career, develop and deliver a simulated real-world presentation, and demonstrate understanding of industry requirements through peer assessment.
This lesson empowers students to explore future careers, build essential research, collaboration, and public speaking skills, and practice real-world application and self-evaluation.
Audience
8th Grade
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Project-based learning with peer feedback
Materials
Computers with Internet Access, Quest Kickoff & Rubric, Career Research Presentation Project, Career Quest Evaluation Rubric, Industry Knowledge Check Quiz, Projector and Screen, and Chart Paper and Markers
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Print enough copies of the Career Quest Evaluation Rubric for each student and group.
- Ensure the Quest Kickoff & Rubric slide deck is loaded and ready to present.
- Upload the Career Research Presentation Project template and the Industry Knowledge Check Quiz to your LMS or prepare printed copies.
- Arrange seating into small presentation groups (3–4 students).
Step 1
Kickoff & Objectives
10 minutes
- Project the Quest Kickoff & Rubric.
- Review lesson objectives and walk through each rubric criterion.
- Clarify roles: researcher, designer, presenter for each group.
- Answer student questions and confirm career-topic choices.
Step 2
Career Research
20 minutes
- Students use computers to research their chosen career.
- Gather details: daily responsibilities, required education/training, average salary, key skills.
- Record findings in the Career Research Presentation Project template.
- Teacher circulates, offering support and verifying information accuracy.
Step 3
Industry Knowledge Check
10 minutes
- Distribute the Industry Knowledge Check Quiz to each student.
- Students complete quiz individually to assess general career-industry vocabulary.
- Collect quizzes for teacher review.
Step 4
Presentation Development
20 minutes
- In groups, students design a visual presentation (slides or poster) using their research template.
- Include a simulated “day-in-the-life” scenario or brief mock interview role-play.
- Differentiate support:
- Provide sentence starters for ELL or struggling writers.
- Challenge advanced learners to integrate labor market trends or industry forecasts.
- Pair students heterogeneously to balance skills.
Step 5
Simulation & Peer Presentations
25 minutes
- Groups present to peers, enacting a real-world scenario (e.g., job interview, client pitch).
- Each listener uses the Career Quest Evaluation Rubric to provide feedback on content, clarity, and delivery.
- Encourage presenters to apply rubric feedback and ask clarifying questions.
Step 6
Closure & Reflection
5 minutes
- Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion: What surprised you? Which career skills matter most?
- Collect presentation rubrics and quizzes.
- Share additional resources for independent career exploration and next steps.
Slide Deck
The Career Quest
Kickoff & Rubric Overview
8th Grade | 90-Minute Session
Let’s dive in and explore your future careers!
Welcome everyone! Today we kick off The Career Quest project. Explain that over the next 90 minutes students will research a career, build a presentation, and practice a real-world scenario. Get them excited about exploring future possibilities.
Today's Agenda
• Kickoff & Objectives (10 min)
• Career Research (20 min)
• Industry Knowledge Check (10 min)
• Presentation Development (20 min)
• Simulation & Peer Presentations (25 min)
• Closure & Reflection (5 min)
Review the flow of today’s lesson so students know what to expect. Emphasize timing for each phase and when they’ll present.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Research and collect key details about a chosen career.
- Organize your findings into a clear, visual presentation.
- Simulate a real-world career scenario (e.g., mock interview).
- Use a rubric to give and receive constructive peer feedback.
Read each objective aloud and clarify terms. Check for understanding: “What does it mean to simulate a job interview?”
Choosing Your Career
• Select a career that interests you.
• Ensure you can find information on:
– Daily responsibilities
– Required education or training
– Average salary and key skills
• Work with your group to agree on one career.
Explain how students will choose or propose a career topic. Encourage picking something they’re curious about. Remind them to check availability of online resources.
Group Roles & Responsibilities
Researcher:
• Gather and record career data.
Designer:
• Create slides or poster visuals.
Presenter:
• Lead the simulation and share findings.
Define each role clearly. Students should assign roles within their group now. Remind them roles can rotate in future projects.
Evaluation Rubric Overview
Criteria:
- Content Accuracy & Completeness
- Clarity & Organization
- Delivery & Engagement
- Team Collaboration
Use this rubric to guide your work and peer feedback.
Walk through each rubric criterion. Show examples of “exceeds expectations” vs. “meets” vs. “below.” Make sure students know how peers will assess them.
Project Guide
Career Research Presentation Project
Instructions:
Use this template to gather and organize key information about your chosen career. Complete each section with clear, concise details. Refer to your research sources and be prepared to turn this into a visual presentation and simulation.
1. Career Title
What is the name of the career you chose?
2. Daily Responsibilities
List the main tasks and duties performed in this role.
3. Required Education or Training
Describe the typical education level, certifications, or on-the-job training needed.
4. Average Salary and Compensation
Provide the typical salary range and any additional benefits (e.g., health insurance, bonuses).
5. Key Skills and Qualifications
Identify the top skills, personal qualities, and technical competencies employers look for.
6. Day-in-the-Life Scenario
Write a brief narrative or outline describing a typical workday. Include start/end times, main activities, and interactions.
7. Mock Interview Questions & Answers
List three common interview questions for this career and draft your answers.
- Question:
Answer:
- Question:
Answer:
- Question:
Answer:
8. Reflection & Next Steps
What did you find most interesting or surprising? Which skills do you want to develop further?
When your template is complete, use your findings to create a visual presentation and prepare to simulate a real-world scenario (e.g., mock interview or client pitch) in class.
Rubric
Career Quest Evaluation Rubric
Use this rubric during peer and teacher evaluations. Circle or highlight the score for each criterion and add brief comments.
Scoring Scale: 4 = Exceeds Expectations | 3 = Meets Expectations | 2 = Approaching Expectations | 1 = Below Expectations
| Criterion | 4 – Exceeds Expectations | 3 – Meets Expectations | 2 – Approaching Expectations | 1 – Below Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content Accuracy & Completeness | • All required sections fully addressed with rich, accurate details • Data is up-to-date and well-sourced | • Most required sections complete with accurate information • Sources cited or noted | • Some sections incomplete or missing • Minor inaccuracies or unsupported statements | • Many sections missing or incorrect • Key facts omitted or inaccurate |
| Clarity & Organization | • Information flows logically • Visuals enhance understanding • Transitions are seamless | • Clear organization with logical sequence • Visuals support key points | • Organization is uneven or loosely structured • Visuals present but sometimes unclear | • Confusing or disjointed structure • Visuals missing or detract from understanding |
| Delivery & Engagement | • Speaker is confident, maintains eye contact, varying tone/pacing • Actively involves the audience | • Clear voice, steady pace, some audience connection • Engaging overall | • Reads most content, limited expression, occasional audience connection | • Mumbled or rushed, no audience engagement • Relies entirely on notes |
| Team Collaboration | • Roles balanced; all members contribute equally • Demonstrates respect, supports peers | • Most members participate; roles generally clear • Cooperative behavior | • One or two members dominate; others contribute minimally • Some collaboration issues | • Little to no teamwork; conflict or lack of contribution • Roles unclear or ignored |
Comments:
- Strengths: ________________________________________________
- Areas for Growth: __________________________________________
Use this feedback to refine future presentations and project work.
Quiz
Industry Knowledge Check Quiz