Developed by:  Emily Brock
Revised: Spring 2002

Level:  6-8

Launching Our Career Ship


Standards
 


Learning 
Expectations

 This activity will help students to acquire competencies which relate to the following standards:
5. Career information and career goals
6. Knowledge and skills to achieve career goals
The student will:
5.9 Demonstrate job related skills for achieving career goals
6.5 Analyze the relationship between educational and career achievement
6.10 Identify tech prep programs

General
Approach
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Activity Steps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Time Required
 
 

Resources Needed
 
 

Performance
Indicators

 

 The general approach is that students will explore different careers on the World Wide Web.  They will then pick two or three careers that interest them and discuss the careers that they have chosen.
  • Have computers ready with the Careership web site displayed on the screens.
  • Inform the students that they are going to explore the Careership and pick two or three careers that interests them.
  • Ask the students to write down information about their chosen careers.
  • Allow the students 20-30 minutes to explore.
Lead them through a discussion:

There are many careers that you will be able to choose from when you get older.  However, it is important that you start exploring your options and interests at this point in your life.  Let's go around the circle and discuss some of the careers that you have chosen. 

After the children have taken turns telling about their chosen careers, use the following "leads" and wait for their responses:

  • Comment on certain jobs such as nurse and policeman and the gender stereotype placed on these occupations.
  • Talk about the amount of education and the different degrees required for each job. 
  • Talk about other ways of exploring careers and finding career information.


This activity will require 30-45 minutes.  This can be divided into two sessions if needed.  The students could explore careers on the web site during the first session and the discussion can take place during the second session.  Students should be given at least 20 minutes to explore. 
 
 
 

  • Careership web site can be found at the following address:
          http://www.mapping-your-future.org/features/careership/
  • paper 
  • pencil/pen

 

During the discussion the counselor or teacher will write down the careers the students have mentioned. The counselor will then go back around the circle and ask what skills each student feels he/she has that will make him or her successful at their chosen careers. The counselor can give the students an assignment to explore the chosen careers further.  The students can then talk to a professional in their community that holds the desired job or they can explore the career further on the World Wide Web.