1-Pager
All grades  Project 5 weeks

Career Quest: Research, Report, Present!

Tollison, H
C.11-12.2
C.11-12.4
C.11-12.5
C.11-12.6
C.11-12.7
1-pager

Purpose

This project empowers students to take charge of their career exploration by engaging them in a comprehensive research and presentation process. Through hands-on activities, students will gain valuable insights into a career of interest, develop essential workplace communication skills, and create professional documents like resumes and cover letters. By collaborating with community professionals and participating in peer review sessions, students will refine their ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively. The project culminates in a dynamic Career Showcase Gallery, where students present their findings and reflections, fostering a deeper understanding of their future career paths.

Learning goals

Students will develop essential workplace communication skills by researching a career of personal interest, culminating in a professional report and presentation. They will learn to identify and evaluate credible sources, organize their findings, and synthesize information into a structured report. Through peer review and feedback sessions, students will refine their ability to critique and revise their work for clarity and impact. Additionally, students will gain insights from interviewing a professional in their chosen field, enhancing their understanding of career pathways and presentation skills. The project will also guide students in creating a resume and cover letter tailored to their career interests, fostering practical skills for future job applications.
Standards
  • [Kentucky] C.11-12.2 - Compose informative/explanatory texts to examine and/or convey complex ideas, concepts and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization and analysis of content.
  • [Kentucky] C.11-12.4 - Use digital resources to create, publish and update individual or shared products, taking advantage of technology's capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically. Use a variety of formats to cite sources.
  • [Kentucky] C.11-12.5 - Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
  • [Kentucky] C.11-12.6 - Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.
  • [Kentucky] C.11-12.7 - Compose routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a variety of task, purposes and audiences.

Products

Throughout this project, students will create a comprehensive digital portfolio that includes a structured career report, a visually engaging slideshow presentation, a professional resume, and a tailored cover letter. They will also compile interview notes and reflections, showcasing their research and insights gained from engaging with community professionals. These products will be displayed in a 'Career Showcase Gallery,' allowing students to present their work and receive feedback from peers and community members.

Launch

Begin the project with a dynamic career inventory survey that prompts students to explore and identify their interests and potential career paths. Follow the survey with an engaging guest speaker session featuring professionals from diverse fields, who will share their career journeys and insights. This launch activity will spark curiosity and provide students with real-world context as they embark on their own career exploration journey.

Exhibition

Students will participate in a 'Career Showcase Gallery' where they present their digital portfolios on interactive screens. These displays will allow guests to explore each student's research, reports, and presentation slideshows. The exhibition will include sections for interview highlights and personal reflections, providing a comprehensive view of their learning journey. This interactive format encourages engagement and discussion, showcasing students' skills in research, communication, and digital literacy.