12.+CAREER+EXPLORATION+UNIT+OF+STUDY

= = = __**IT'S YOUR FUTURE CALLING**__= = =
 * You're riding your skateboard down the sidewalk, minding your own business, when you hear a ringing noise coming from the phone booth at the next corner. As you roll onward, the ringing becomes more insistent, like it's ringing just for you. You hit a stone on the sidewalk and your skateboard skids to a stop right in front of the phone! **

** "Who is this?" you ask with curiosity. **
==** "I know you won't believe this, but I'm you 20 years in the future! You've got to listen to me! I need your help and you are the only one who can save me. I've got a miserable job and I hate where I live. You've got to research careers and find one that you can be happy with so that I will be content in the future," says the voice of future you in a rush of explanation. **==

** "Wow!" you whisper to yourself. "I had never thought about how a job would make me happy or how I might have to live somewhere besides with Mom and Dad." **
__** TASK: **__ = In order to save yourself a lot of grief and unhappiness in the future, you will take an interest survey and research occupations that appeal to you. Armed with that valuable information, you will compare salaries across the United States with those in your home area to determine an area in which you might like to live. Finally you will create a report to give to your future self that explains the profession you have chosen. =

= = =**__ PROCESS: __** 1. Take the following interest survey to help you learn about yourself. [|Form 1] and [|Form 2.] = = 2. Using the information you have discovered, you will research different [|careers] using Internet links in the resource section. You may also consult an encyclopedia or a real live person who has a job that you are interested in! A [|checklist] of things to look for when researching the careers can be found here. = = 3. When you have finished your research, use Inspiration software to create a graphic organizer of what you have discovered. If you do not have access to Inspiration software, you may use this [|graphic organizer] to assist in your research. You will use this tool to help in writing your report to your future self. = = 4. Strangely enough similar situations are occurring with your classmates! They will all be researching to assist their future selves also. When all of your classmates have completed their report. You will be going out to a business lunch with classmates who have chosen careers that are similar to your own! You will discuss the pros and cons of your job. = = = = = = __**RESOURCES:**__= =** Use the following links to research your career choices. **= =** [|BLS Career Information] **= =** [|What Do They Do?] **= =** [|Career Zone] **= =** Use the following sites to research wages. **= =** [|Career Profile Index] **= =** Salary calculator: [[http://www.homefair.com/homefair/calc/salcalc.html?type **=
 * __Environmental Careers for Kids__: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/job/index.htm** __**

EVALUATION: **__ Use the [|checklist] to be sure to include all the information that you will need to avert the disaster that prompted the phone call in the first place. You will be [|graded] on your outline, the mechanics of your paper, the content of your report, and your participation in the business lunch. ** __CONCLUSION:__ ** =** Back at the phone booth, you have just finished telling your future self all about the career you have chosen... **= =** The color drains from your face as you hear the voice on the other end say, “That was a fine choice…….10 years ago! People don’t have to do that job anymore. It’s obsolete. You’ve got to come up with something else!” **= = **So you go back to the drawing board to research “Plan B.” It’s always a good idea to have a backup p**lan! = = =

= =