Student Toolbox: How do I choose a career?

/
Career Choices with Shurley English.jpg

Do you remember what prompted you to choose the teaching profession?  How old were you when you made that decision? Research surveys have shown that many people don’t decide on their professional career path until they are already in college, and some don’t make a decision until later in life. 

If you are a middle school or high school teacher, chances are you will have the opportunity to discuss future college and/or career plans with your students.  Students will benefit from these discussions because the sooner they begin working towards their future career goals, the likelier they will be to turn those goals into reality. 

Today, I would like to show you a great resource you can use with your students to help them begin exploring career paths:

US Department of Labor: This site is a must for your information toolbox. It includes student-friendly games, maps, charts, and tables that students may use to explore their career interests. Job categories are organized by subject area. When a student selects a category, a list of jobs in that category appears. Then, the student may choose a specific job and see valuable information, such as education requirements, the job forecast, and median pay.


 
US Dept of Labor Videos with Shurley English.png

In addition, students may view short videos about a particular career choice, which includes information on that job’s day-to-day activities and responsibilities.





 

Activity Time: Researching a Career

As your students think about their own future careers, it provides a great opportunity to do research, conduct an interview, and present findings! Take a look…

1. Brainstorm career options. To help your students get started, create a list of careers on the board. Then, start a cooperative brainstorming session with your students. Be sure to have students write down the career options that interest them.

2. Choose a career to research. Have each student choose a profession from a field he/she finds interesting and research the career choice. A vital component to researching careers should include talking to professionals. Have each student prepare a list of questions he/she would like to ask a professional of their choice. Here are a few questions to get you started:

  • What is your occupation?

  • How did you choose this profession?

  • What training was required for your job?

  • What do you like best about your job?

  • What do you remember about your school/training experiences?

  • What would you say to young people about the path that lead you to your job choice?

3. Write a Summary: Have each student write a summary about their findings.

4. Share! Have each student present their findings to the class. Remember, one student’s summary may spark a career idea for another student.

As your students practice their research skills, listening skills, and speaking skills, they are developing tools that will last a lifetime. Many of your students may discover their future career choice as they participate in this assignment. Remember, inspiring students to grow and develop their gifts is one way that you, as a teacher, can have a positive impact on the future.