Dream Job Starter

Instructions: Take a few minutes to think about the questions below and jot down your initial thoughts. We'll share some of these ideas together as a class.

1. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What is one skill you have that you enjoy using?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. What's something new you'd be interested in learning to do for a job?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Navigating Your Job Search Script

(Teacher speaks)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! I're so glad you're here today. In our last activity, we talked about our dream jobs, and that's a fantastic starting point. But sometimes, the perfect job for us might be something we haven't even considered yet!"

"Today, we're going to embark on an exciting journey: exploring the many different kinds of jobs out there and discovering how being open to new ideas can lead you to amazing opportunities. Think of it like exploring a new city – you might have a few famous landmarks you want to see, but sometimes the best discoveries are made when you wander off the beaten path and find a hidden gem!"

"Our goal today is to help you feel confident and ready to explore many different career paths. We'll learn to identify skills you already have, how to think flexibly about different roles, and how to stay positive throughout your job search. This isn't about finding a job, it's about finding the right job for you, even if it's not what you originally expected."

"So, to kick us off, what does 'being open to different options' mean to you when you think about jobs? Don't worry, there are no wrong answers. Just share your first thoughts."

(Pause for student responses, acknowledge and affirm their contributions)

"Excellent points! That's exactly the mindset we want to cultivate. Now, let's dive deeper into some of these possibilities with a reading."

Job Exploration: Unlocking Your Potential

Finding a job can feel like a big adventure, and sometimes it's easy to get stuck thinking about only a few types of jobs. But the world of work is vast and full of exciting possibilities! Being open to exploring different kinds of jobs, even ones you haven't thought of before, can open up many more doors for you.

What Does "Open to Options" Mean?

Being open to different job options means being flexible and curious. It's about looking beyond the most obvious roles and considering how your skills and interests might fit into unexpected places. For example, if you enjoy organizing, you might think of being an office assistant. But you could also be a personal shopper, a librarian's aide, or even a stock clerk, all of which require strong organizational skills!

Discovering Hidden Jobs

Many jobs exist that you might not hear about every day. Here are a few examples to get you thinking:

• Dog Walker/Pet Sitter: If you love animals and enjoy being outdoors, this could be a fun and rewarding job.
• Grocery Store Bagger/Cart Collector: These roles are vital for keeping stores running smoothly and provide a great way to be active and help people.
• Recycling Center Assistant: Helping sort materials and keep the environment clean is a meaningful job.
• School Cafeteria Helper: Assisting with meal service, cleaning, and setting up for students is a great way to be part of a community.
• Gardening Assistant/Landscaping Helper: If you enjoy working with plants and being outside, many opportunities exist in gardening and yard work.
• Library Aide: Helping organize books, assist patrons, and keep the library tidy. This is perfect for those who like quiet environments and order.
• Custodian/Janitor Assistant: Maintaining clean and safe environments for schools, offices, or other public spaces.
• Event Setup/Takedown Crew: Helping prepare venues for events and then clean up afterward. This can be varied and involve teamwork.

Your Skills Are Transferable!

Sometimes, you might think, "I don't have experience for that." But many skills you use in your everyday life or in one job can be transferred to another. These are called transferable skills.

Examples of Transferable Skills:

• Being on time: Important for every job.
• Being friendly and polite: Helps you work well with others (coworkers and customers).
• Listening to instructions: Essential for doing tasks correctly.
• Being organized: Helps keep things tidy and efficient.
• Working as part of a team: Many jobs require you to collaborate with others.
• Problem-solving: Figuring out solutions when things don't go as planned.

A Positive Mindset is Key

Approaching your job search with a positive and open mindset is incredibly powerful. Even if a job isn't your

Flexible Futures: Discussion Guide

Instructions for Teacher: Lead a whole-class discussion using the prompts below. Encourage active participation and a supportive environment. Remind students there are no wrong answers and to respect each other's ideas.

Discussion Prompts:

1. What was one new type of job or a new idea about job searching that you learned from the Job Exploration Reading?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Can you think of a skill you have that you use at home or with friends that could also be useful in a job? (For example, organizing your belongings, being a good listener, helping a family member).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. The reading mentioned "transferable skills." Why do you think it's important to recognize that skills can be used in many different jobs?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Have you ever thought a job wasn't for you, but after learning more, you might be open to it? What changed your mind?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. How can having a positive and open mindset help you when you are looking for a job or learning a new skill for work?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. What are some challenges you might face when trying to be open to new job ideas, and how could you overcome them?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

My Skills, My Path: Connecting What You Do to What You Could Do

Instructions: Everyone has unique skills and talents! This activity will help you think about what you're good at and how those strengths could lead to different types of jobs. You can draw, list, or write your ideas.

Part 1: My Super Skills!

Think about what you enjoy doing, what comes easily to you, or what people often ask for your help with. List or draw at least three of your personal skills. These can be skills you use at home, with friends, or in any past experiences.

Examples:

• Good listener
• Good at organizing things
• Strong and can lift things
• Good with animals
• Enjoy making things tidy
• Friendly and like talking to people

Part 2: My Path Possibilities!

Now, for each of your super skills, think of two different jobs (even jobs you hadn't considered before!) where that skill would be helpful. You can refer back to the Job Exploration Reading for ideas!

Skill 1: (e.g., Good listener)

• Job Idea 1: (e.g., Customer Service Assistant - listening to people's needs)
• Job Idea 2: (e.g., Library Assistant - listening to patrons' requests)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Skill 2: (e.g., Good at organizing things)

• Job Idea 1: (e.g., Stock Clerk - organizing shelves)
• Job Idea 2: (e.g., Event Setup Crew - organizing equipment)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Skill 3: (e.g., Friendly and like talking to people)

• Job Idea 1: (e.g., Greeter at a store - welcoming customers)
• Job Idea 2: (e.g., Community Center Helper - talking to visitors)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Remember: There are so many ways your unique strengths can shine in the world of work!

Next Steps: Your Job Search Journey

Instructions: Take a moment to reflect on today's lesson. What is one new idea you have, or one action you plan to take, as you continue thinking about your future job search?