Career Dreams Warm-Up

Instructions: Take a moment to think about what you enjoy doing. What kind of work sounds interesting or exciting to you? What are some things you are good at, even if they don't seem like

Your Path, Your Power Script

Introduction (5 minutes)

(Teacher): "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really exciting: your future and your career path. We'll explore different types of jobs, think about what you're really good at, and start to map out some steps for your future. This is all about empowering you to find a job that you enjoy and that makes you feel successful. You have unique strengths and talents, and we're going to discover how those can lead to a fulfilling career. Let's make sure our phones are away and we're ready to learn and share!"

(Refer to Your Path, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 1)

Warm-Up: Career Dreams (10 minutes)

(Teacher): "To get us started, I've handed out a quick warm-up called Career Dreams Warm-Up. I want you to take a few minutes, quietly to yourselves, to think about and write down your answers to these questions: What do you enjoy doing? What are some things you're good at, even if they don't seem like 'work'? What kind of work sounds interesting or exciting to you? Don't worry about perfect answers, just jot down whatever comes to mind."

(Allow 5-7 minutes for students to write. Circulate to offer support if needed.)

(Teacher): "Alright, who would like to share one or two things they wrote down? There are no wrong answers here. This is about starting to think about what makes you, you, and what you might enjoy in a job."

(Facilitate a brief sharing session, affirming all contributions.)

**(Refer to Your Path, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 2 & 3)

Introduction to Career Exploration & Strengths (20 minutes)

(Teacher): "Excellent sharing! As we saw, everyone has different interests and different strengths. On the screen, you'll see 'Your Strengths Are Your Superpowers!' That's really true. What makes you unique? Maybe you're great at helping others, or good with your hands, or you love to solve puzzles. These are all strengths! Knowing your strengths is the first step to finding a job you'll love."

(Engage students with a few quick questions: "Can anyone name a strength they think they have?" or "What's a strength you've seen in a classmate today?")

(Teacher): "Now, let's think about all the different jobs in the world. It's a huge world with so many possibilities! You might know about some common jobs, but there are also many that you might not have considered yet. To help us explore these, we're going to do some reading."

(Refer to Your Path, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 4)

Reading: Career Exploration (25 minutes)

(Teacher): "I'm handing out a Career Exploration Reading. This reading will give you some examples of different career paths and ideas about what kind of skills are needed for them. I want you to read through this. You can read it quietly to yourselves, or if you prefer, you can read it in small groups of two or three. As you read, highlight or make a note of any jobs that sound interesting, or any skills that you think you already have or would like to learn."

(Distribute the reading. Allow 20 minutes for reading. Circulate and assist as needed. After 20 minutes, bring the class back together.)

(Teacher): "What are some new jobs you learned about, or jobs that surprised you? Did anything in the reading make you think about a skill you already have in a new way?"

(Allow for a few quick shares.)

Worksheet Activity: My Career Map (30 minutes)

(Teacher): "Now that we've thought about our strengths and explored some career ideas, it's time to start mapping out your career path. I'm giving you the My Career Map Worksheet. This worksheet will help you connect your strengths to potential jobs, think about what you might need to learn or practice, and start setting some goals."

(Refer to Your Path, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 5)

(Teacher): "Let's go through it together. First, you'll write down some of your strengths. Then, based on the reading and your own ideas, list some jobs that might fit those strengths. Next, think about what you might need to do to get closer to those jobs – maybe learn a new skill, or practice something you already know. Finally, write down one small goal you can set for yourself. I'll be walking around to help if you have any questions or want to brainstorm ideas."

(Distribute worksheets. Allow 25 minutes for completion. Provide individual support and encouragement.)

Group Discussion: Sharing & Learning (15 minutes)

(Teacher): "Great work everyone! It's fantastic to see you thinking so deeply about your futures. Now, let's share some of our thoughts and learn from each other. I've got some Career Path Discussion Prompts here to guide us. Remember, we want to listen respectfully and encourage each other."

(Refer to Your Path, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 6)

(Teacher): "Who would like to share one thing they wrote on their 'My Career Map' worksheet? What was a new idea you had, or a strength you realized was important for a job? What challenges do you anticipate, and what support might you need?"

(Facilitate a discussion, ensuring everyone has a chance to speak if they wish. Keep the tone positive and constructive.)

Assessment: Career Goals Quiz & Readiness Test (15 minutes)

(Teacher): "To wrap up our main activities, we have two short assessments: the Career Goals Quiz and the Career Readiness Test. These aren't just for a grade; they're for you to see what you've learned today and to think about how ready you feel for future steps. Just do your best, and it will help me understand what areas we might need to explore more."

(Refer to Your Path, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 7)

(Distribute quiz and test. Allow 10-12 minutes for completion. Collect materials.)

Cool Down: Future Steps (10 minutes)

(Teacher): "Alright, to bring our lesson to a close, I'm handing out our Future Steps Cool Down. On this sheet, I want you to write down ONE concrete step you can take towards your career dream, starting now or very soon. It could be something small, like talking to a family member about a job, looking up a job online, or practicing a skill."

(Refer to Your Path, Your Power Slide Deck - Slide 8)

(Allow 5 minutes for students to write.)

(Teacher): "Remember, every journey starts with a single step. Your path is unique, your power comes from knowing your strengths, and your future is bright! Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself and explore all the amazing opportunities out there. Thank you all for your fantastic participation today!"

(Collect cool-down sheets.)

Career Exploration: Finding Your Fit

What is a Career?

A career is more than just a job; it's a journey of learning, working, and growing throughout your life. It's about finding work that you enjoy, that uses your talents, and that makes you feel good about what you do. For many, a career also helps them earn money to live independently and achieve their goals.

Discovering Your Strengths

Before you look at jobs, think about you! What are you good at? What do you enjoy? These are your strengths. Your strengths are like tools you have. Different jobs need different tools. Knowing your tools helps you pick the right job.

Here are some examples of strengths:

• Being a good listener: This is great for jobs where you help people, like a customer service assistant or a peer mentor.
• Being good with your hands: This is useful for jobs like a gardener, a mechanic's assistant, or working in a factory.
• Being organized: This helps in jobs like office support, stock clerk, or librarian assistant.
• Being creative: This can lead to jobs in arts and crafts, graphic design (with training), or even baking.
• Being friendly and outgoing: This is good for jobs that involve talking to many people, like a receptionist or a retail associate.
• Being good with numbers: This is helpful for jobs in accounting support or inventory management.

Exploring Different Career Paths

The world has thousands of different jobs! It can be overwhelming to think about, but you don't have to know everything at once. Here are just a few examples of career areas and types of jobs that people with various strengths and needs might find fulfilling:

1. Hands-On & Practical Jobs

These jobs often involve using your hands, moving around, and doing practical tasks. They are great if you like to see the results of your work right away.

• Landscaping Assistant: Helping to plant flowers, mow lawns, and maintain gardens. Requires being outdoors and physical activity.
• Custodial Services/Janitor: Keeping buildings clean and tidy. Requires attention to detail and a willingness to do physical tasks.
• Retail Stocker/Merchandiser: Arranging products on shelves, organizing storage rooms. Requires organization and some lifting.
• Food Service Worker: Preparing simple foods, serving customers, cleaning up in restaurants or cafeterias. Requires following instructions and working with people.

2. Helping & Service Jobs

If you enjoy helping other people or animals, these jobs might be a good fit. They often involve good communication and empathy.

• Animal Care Assistant: Helping at an animal shelter or vet's office, feeding animals, cleaning kennels. Requires a love for animals and responsibility.
• Peer Mentor/Support Staff: Helping others with disabilities navigate daily life, share experiences, and offer encouragement. Requires strong listening skills and empathy.
• Library Assistant: Organizing books, helping people find resources, assisting with events. Requires organization and a friendly demeanor.
• Greeter/Receptionist: Welcoming people, answering phones, directing visitors in an office or store. Requires a friendly attitude and good communication.

3. Office & Administrative Support Jobs

These jobs often involve working in an office setting, using computers (sometimes), and organizing information. They are good if you like structure and detail.

• Filing Clerk: Organizing documents and files. Requires attention to detail and organization.
• Data Entry Assistant: Inputting information into a computer. Requires accuracy and basic computer skills.
• Mailroom Assistant: Sorting and delivering mail within a company. Requires organization and reliability.
• Office Assistant: Helping with various tasks like making copies, answering simple questions, or preparing meeting rooms. Requires a willingness to learn and be helpful.

Taking the Next Steps

Finding a career is a process, not a race. Here's how you can take some next steps:

1. Talk to people: Ask family, friends, or teachers about their jobs. What do they like? What is challenging?
2. Volunteer: Try volunteering in an area that interests you. This is a great way to gain experience and see if you like the work.
3. Learn new skills: Look for classes or programs that teach skills for jobs you're interested in.
4. Set small goals: Don't try to do everything at once. Set one small goal, like researching a job online, and then work towards it.
5. Believe in yourself: You have valuable contributions to make. Your unique abilities are an asset to any workplace.

My Career Map Worksheet

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Part 1: My Strengths and Interests

Think about what you enjoy doing and what you are good at. These are your strengths!

1. List 3-5 things you are good at (skills, qualities, hobbies):
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. List 3-5 things you enjoy doing (activities, subjects, interests):
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Exploring Career Ideas

Based on your strengths, interests, and the Career Exploration Reading, list some jobs that sound interesting to you.

1. Job Idea 1: _____________________________

   • Why does this job interest you?
     
     
     
   • What strengths of yours would be good for this job?
     
     
     

2. Job Idea 2: _____________________________

   • Why does this job interest you?
     
     
     
   • What strengths of yours would be good for this job?
     
     
     

3. Job Idea 3: _____________________________

   • Why does this job interest you?
     
     
     
   • What strengths of yours would be good for this job?
     
     
     

Part 3: Steps to My Goal

Choose ONE job idea from Part 2 that you want to learn more about or work towards. Then, think about some steps you can take.

My Chosen Job Idea: _____________________________

1. What is one new skill I might need to learn for this job? (e.g., computer skills, customer service, specific tools)
   
   
   
   
   

2. What is one small step I can take this week to learn more about this job or build a skill? (e.g., talk to someone, watch a video, practice something)
   
   
   
   
   

3. Who can help me with this step? (e.g., teacher, family member, friend, counselor)
   
   
   
   
   

Career Path Discussion Prompts

Instructions:

Let's have an open and respectful discussion about our career aspirations. Everyone's journey is different, and we can learn a lot from each other's ideas and experiences.

Discussion Questions:

1. What was one new type of job you learned about in the Career Exploration Reading that you hadn't considered before? What made it interesting?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Looking at your My Career Map Worksheet, what is one strength you identified that you think would be really valuable in a job?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What is one thing you are excited about when you think about your future career?
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. What is one challenge you think you might face when looking for a job or starting a new career? How might you try to overcome it, or who could help you?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. How can we, as a group, support each other as we think about our career paths and take steps towards our goals? What kind of help or encouragement do you find most useful?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Future Steps Cool Down

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

My Next Step Towards a Career

Think about everything we discussed and worked on today. What is ONE concrete step you can take in the next week or two to move closer to your career dreams?

This step should be something specific and achievable for YOU.

• My One Concrete Step:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Who can help me with this step (if anyone)?
  
  
  

• How will taking this step help me?