Developed by: Kevin King

Level: 6-8

Exploring Job Profiles

Standards Learning Expectations	This activity will help students acquire competencies which relate to the following standards: 5. Career information and career goals The student will: 5.2 Use technology and other resources to research and obtain career information
General Approach	The general approach is that students will use the internet to visit a web site, where they will explore job profiles. This will be followed by a counselor led discussion.
Activity Steps	1.Give the printed activity to each student. 2. Have the students sit at their computers and visit  http://jobshadow.org 3. Have the students the click on the topic, Career Resources, on the left side of the page. 4. Have the students click on the link titled Job Profiles. 5. Tell the students to read and take notes on some of the profiles that interest them. 6. Have the students choose 3 careers and answer these questions: · Explain the job duties. · What skills are needed? · What education is needed? · What is the outlook for this job? 7. Gather the students in a circle. Lead the students through a discussion: This activity is used as a precursor to taking the occupational interest inventories and when you begin to map your career future.  The purpose is to gain a better understanding of what some of the jobs entail by reading the profiles. When you gain some clarity from this process, more informed decisions can be made as you answer the occupational inventory questions and begin to map your career future. Discuss these questions with the students after they have had adequate time to answer them. 1. What job might require physical fitness and physical activity? What are the pros and cons?  2. What job works with animals? What are the pros and cons? 3. What job might be performed in the natural environment? What are the pros and cons? 4. What job might have conditions that could be hazardous to your health? What are the pros and cons? 5. Do you see a job that might provide the opportunity to sit at a desk in an office environment? What are the pros and cons? 6. What jobs might require a high degree of education? What are the pros and cons?
Time Required	This activity may require two 30 minute sessions.
Resources Needed	1. a computer with internet access to http://www.jobshadow.org 2. a writing utensil 3. note paper
Performance Indicators	Students will be able to: Use technology and other resources to gather career information. Determine how personal interests relate to career choices.