Career Research Project Guide: Your Future, Unlocked!

Project Overview

Welcome, 12th-grade economists! In this project, you will become career detectives, investigating a potential future career path that genuinely interests you. The goal is to understand the economic realities, educational investments, and future outlook of this career so you can make informed decisions about your post-graduation journey. This isn't just about finding a job; it's about understanding how your skills, education, and passions can intersect with the demands of the economy.

Your Mission:

To research a specific career, understand its requirements, financial aspects, and future prospects, and organize your findings using the Career Exploration Graphic Organizer.

Guiding Questions for Your Research:

Use these questions to direct your investigation. You will record your answers in detail on your Career Exploration Graphic Organizer.

Part 1: What is This Career?

1. Career Title: What is the exact title of the career you are researching?
2. Job Description: What do people in this career actually do on a day-to-day basis? What are their primary responsibilities and tasks? (Think about the skills and activities involved).
   • Sentence Frame Example: "A typical day for a [Career Title] involves..." or "The main responsibilities of a [Career Title] include..."

Part 2: Training, Education, and Cost

1. Required Education/Training: What level of education or specific training is typically required for this career? (e.g., high school diploma, associate's degree, bachelor's degree, master's, doctorate, vocational training, certifications).
   • Sentence Frame Example: "To become a [Career Title], one typically needs..."
2. Places to Attain Training: Where can you get this education or training? (e.g., specific colleges, universities, trade schools, apprenticeship programs, online courses). List at least two specific institutions or types of programs.
   • Sentence Frame Example: "Education for this career can be pursued at institutions like..." or "Specific training programs are available through..."
3. Estimated Cost of Training/Education: What is the estimated cost of obtaining the necessary education or training? Consider tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. Provide a range or average.
   • Sentence Frame Example: "The estimated cost for the required education is approximately..." or "Investing in this training would cost between..."

Part 3: Economic Outlook & Compensation

1. Median Starting Salary: What is the typical median starting salary for someone entering this career? (Be specific about the geographical area if possible, e.g., national average, state average).
   • Sentence Frame Example: "Entry-level professionals in this field can expect a median starting salary of..."
2. Median Mid-Career Salary (Optional but Recommended): What is the typical median salary for someone with several years of experience (e.g., 5-10 years) in this career?
   • Sentence Frame Example: "With 5-10 years of experience, the median salary for a [Career Title] is around..."
3. Job Outlook: What is the job outlook for this career over the next 10 years? Will it grow much faster than average, faster than average, about as fast as average, little or no change, or decline? What factors contribute to this outlook?
   • Sentence Frame Example: "The job outlook for [Career Title] is projected to be [outlook description] due to factors such as..."
4. Job Growth/Security Factors: What factors contribute to the growth or security of this job? (e.g., technological advancements, changing demographics, economic trends, societal needs).
   • Sentence Frame Example: "Factors contributing to the growth/security of this career include..." or "This career exhibits strong/weak job security because..."

Part 4: Personal Fit & Other Pertinent Details

1. Skills & Qualities: What key skills, abilities, and personal qualities are important for success in this career? (e.g., problem-solving, communication, creativity, physical stamina).
   • Sentence Frame Example: "Successful [Career Title]s often possess skills such as..." or "Key qualities for this profession include..."
2. Work Environment: What is the typical work environment like? (e.g., office, outdoors, hospital, remote, team-based, independent, fast-paced, quiet).
   • Sentence Frame Example: "The work environment for a [Career Title] is typically characterized by..."
3. Pros and Cons: Based on your research, what are 2-3 significant advantages (pros) and 2-3 significant disadvantages (cons) of this career?
   • Sentence Frame Example: "One major advantage of this career is... while a disadvantage could be..."
4. Why This Career Interests You: Briefly explain why you chose to research this particular career. What about it captures your interest?
   • Sentence Frame Example: "I chose to research this career because..."

Useful Resources:

• Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH): Your primary resource for detailed career information.
  • www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
• College/University Websites: For specific program details and tuition costs.
• Professional Organization Websites: For industry insights, certifications, and networking opportunities.
• Reputable Job Boards (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed): For current job postings and salary insights (use with caution, cross-reference data).

Career Exploration Graphic Organizer

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Chosen Career Title: ____________________________________________________________________

Part 1: What is This Career?

1. Job Description: What do people in this career actually do on a day-to-day basis? What are their primary responsibilities and tasks? (Think about the skills and activities involved).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Sentence Frame: "A typical day for a [Career Title] involves..." or "The main responsibilities of a [Career Title] include..."

Part 2: Training, Education, and Cost

1. Required Education/Training: What level of education or specific training is typically required for this career?
   
   
   
   
   • Sentence Frame: "To become a [Career Title], one typically needs..."
2. Places to Attain Training: Where can you get this education or training? List at least two specific institutions or types of programs.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Sentence Frame: "Education for this career can be pursued at institutions like..." or "Specific training programs are available through..."
3. Estimated Cost of Training/Education: What is the estimated cost of obtaining the necessary education or training? (Tuition, fees, books, living expenses). Provide a range or average.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Sentence Frame: "The estimated cost for the required education is approximately..." or "Investing in this training would cost between..."

Part 3: Economic Outlook & Compensation

1. Median Starting Salary: What is the typical median starting salary for someone entering this career? (Be specific about the geographical area if possible).
   
   
   
   
   • Sentence Frame: "Entry-level professionals in this field can expect a median starting salary of..."
2. Median Mid-Career Salary (Optional but Recommended): What is the typical median salary for someone with several years of experience (e.g., 5-10 years) in this career?
   
   
   
   
   • Sentence Frame: "With 5-10 years of experience, the median salary for a [Career Title] is around..."
3. Job Outlook: What is the job outlook for this career over the next 10 years? (Grow much faster, faster, average, little/no change, decline). What factors contribute to this outlook?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Sentence Frame: "The job outlook for [Career Title] is projected to be [outlook description] due to factors such as..."
4. Job Growth/Security Factors: What factors contribute to the growth or security of this job? (e.g., technology, demographics, economic trends).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Sentence Frame: "Factors contributing to the growth/security of this career include..." or "This career exhibits strong/weak job security because..."

Part 4: Personal Fit & Other Pertinent Details

1. Skills & Qualities: What key skills, abilities, and personal qualities are important for success in this career?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Sentence Frame: "Successful [Career Title]s often possess skills such as..." or "Key qualities for this profession include..."
2. Work Environment: What is the typical work environment like?
   
   
   
   
   • Sentence Frame: "The work environment for a [Career Title] is typically characterized by..."
3. Pros and Cons: Based on your research, what are 2-3 significant advantages (pros) and 2-3 significant disadvantages (cons) of this career?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Sentence Frame: "One major advantage of this career is... while a disadvantage could be..."
4. Why This Career Interests You: Briefly explain why you chose to research this particular career.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Sentence Frame: "I chose to research this career because..."

Lesson Script: Your Future, Unlocked!

Teacher: Good morning/afternoon, class! Today, we're diving into a topic that's all about you and your future: career exploration! We've been learning about economic principles, and now we're going to see how those principles play a huge role in the career choices you'll make.

Teacher: To kick things off, let's do a quick warm-up. Take a look at the screen/handout for the Career Brainstorm Warm-Up.

(Allow 5 minutes for warm-up. Circulate and observe.)

Teacher: Alright, let's hear a few. What's one career that came to mind? What makes it interesting to you?

(Call on a few students to share.)

Teacher: Excellent! It's great to see you thinking about different possibilities. Now, let's officially start our exploration. Open your eyes to the Your Future, Unlocked! Slide Deck as we go through today's mission.

(Navigate to Slide 2: Why Research Careers?)

Teacher: So, why are we doing this? Why is researching careers so important, especially in an economics class? (Pause for student responses). That's right! It's about making informed decisions. Your career choice isn't just about what you like to do; it's about your financial future, the investments you'll make in your education, and how you'll contribute to (and benefit from) the economy. This project will help you connect those dots.

(Navigate to Slide 3: Today's Mission: Career Exploration!)

Teacher: Today, your mission is to become a career detective. You're going to choose a career, research its requirements and outlook, analyze the economic factors involved, and organize your findings. This isn't just busy work; it's foundational for your next steps after high school.

(Distribute the Career Research Project Guide and Career Exploration Graphic Organizer.)

Teacher: Take a moment to look at the Career Research Project Guide. This guide provides you with specific questions to answer during your research. You'll record all your findings in the Career Exploration Graphic Organizer.

(Navigate to Slide 4: Your Research Toolkit)

Teacher: Now, let's talk about where you'll find this information. Your most powerful tool will be the Occupational Outlook Handbook, or OOH, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It's an incredible, reliable, and free resource. Let me quickly show you how to use it. (Demonstrate navigating to www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm and searching for an example career, highlighting sections like 'What They Do', 'How to Become One', 'Pay', and 'Job Outlook').

Teacher: You can also use university websites to look at program costs, and professional organization sites for industry insights. The key is to use credible sources.

(Navigate to Slide 5: Time to Dive In!)

Teacher: Here's your plan for the next 50 minutes: First, choose a career that genuinely interests you. It could be something you've always thought about, or something completely new. Second, use the guiding questions in your Career Research Project Guide to explore that career. Third, and very important, fill out your Career Exploration Graphic Organizer as you go. Make sure your notes are clear and detailed. I've also included some sentence frames in your project guide to help you articulate your thoughts, especially if you're feeling stuck. Don't hesitate to ask me questions if you get stuck or need help finding information.

(Monitor students, provide support, and answer questions for 50 minutes.)

Teacher: Alright class, we have about 10 minutes left. Please start wrapping up your current research. Now, I'd like everyone to complete the Career Reflection Cool-Down.

(Allow 5 minutes for Cool-Down.)

Teacher: As you finish your cool-down, let's share briefly. Who would like to share one interesting fact they discovered today about a career, or perhaps a question that your research sparked?

(Call on a few students. Collect Career Exploration Graphic Organizers.)

Teacher: Excellent work today, everyone. You've taken a significant step in thinking about your future from an economic perspective. We'll continue to build on this research in our next session. Make sure your graphic organizers are turned in. Thank you!

Career Brainstorm Warm-Up

Instructions: Take 5 minutes to quickly brainstorm and jot down your initial thoughts. There are no right or wrong answers here – just get your ideas flowing!

1. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Name one career that you know requires a lot of education or training.
   
   
   
   

3. Name one career that seems to be growing or becoming more important in today's world.
   
   
   
   

4. What's one thing you hope to gain from your future career (e.g., money, helping others, creativity, travel)?
   
   
   
   

Career Reflection Cool-Down

Instructions: Take a few minutes to reflect on your research today. This is your "exit ticket" for class.

1. What was the most surprising or interesting fact you learned about your chosen career today?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How might the cost of education impact someone's decision to pursue this career?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What is one question you still have about career planning or the job market?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Career Reflection Cool-Down

Instructions: Take a few minutes to reflect on your research today. This is your "exit ticket" for class.

1. What was the most surprising or interesting fact you learned about your chosen career today?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How might the

Career Reflection Cool-Down

Instructions: Take a few minutes to reflect on your research today. This is your