Creating Career Profiles

This lesson was created using the Nortel LearniT 6E + S template for integrating technology within the curriculum.
 

Overview:
 

This lesson is designed to both encourage students to investigate a variety of careers and to develop an understanding of the elements of the career profile. They will do this through career research and the creation of a web page representing a career of their choice.
 

Technology Integration:
 

Web page Creation
 

Prerequisite Experience:
 

Students should have word processing skills and be familiar with web authoring and web development software.
 

Teacher Prep Time:
 

1 Hour
 

Take some time to preview the sites in the Explore section. If you are not familiar with web authoring you should spend some time with the software the students will use. Preview the Webpage Creation videos available from Nortel LearniT (www.NortelLearniT.org). Students should review these videos if they are not comfortable using any of the required software.

This lesson can certainly be used in conjunction with a variety of careers activities, including guest speakers from the community, guidance counselors and others who can speak on career choices.
 

Estimated Time for Completion:
 

8 weeks (one class per week)
 

Materials:
 

Internet-ready computer with word processing and webpage developing software.
 

Project:
 

You have owned your own web page development company for some time. Business is good but could be better. Lately you have been wondering if there are other possibilities for your skills. Maybe being in business for your self is not all it is cracked up to be.

Just as you were thinking about a potential change in careers, a new client enters your office. As luck would have it, this person represents an employment agency and they would like to start using the web to advertise their available career positions. They would like to have a complete list of careers and career profiles on their site.

They have some idea of what they need in their career profiles but would like you to help them develop profiles that have similar elements to those found in the industry. They would like to see a sample of your work.

Review the resources found in the explore section. Look at some career profiles in a variety of occupations. What are the common elements? You need to review several to see what is common in the industry. In addition, you will have to select one career for your example. This should be a career that is of interest to you (one you might choose when you close down your business). Record your findings and sources using word processing software.

You should consider the following:

What are the elements of a complete career profile? How are they organized?

Given your own background (real or imagined), what career would be suitable for you?

Choose one career for the web page project.
 

Time Management Tips:
 

Students can work together on their research and web pages.
 

Assessment:
 

An evaluation rubric has been included for this assignment. Students will be encouraged to develop self and group evaluation tools.
 

Engage:
 

You have owned your own web page development company for some time. Business is good but could be better. Lately you have been wondering if there are other possibilities for your skills. Maybe being in business for your self is not all it is cracked up to be.

Just as you were thinking about a potential change in careers, a new client enters your office. As luck would have it, this person represents an employment agency and they would like to start using the web to advertise their available career positions. They would like to have a complete list of careers and career profiles on their site.

They have some idea of what they need in their career profiles but would like you to help them develop profiles that have similar elements to those found in the industry. They would like to see a sample of your work.

Review the resources found in the Explore section. Look at some career profiles in a variety of occupations. What are the common elements? You need to review several to see what is common in the industry. In addition, you will have to select one career for your example. This should be a career that is of interest to you (one you might choose when you close down your business). Record your findings and sources using word processing software.

You should consider the following:

What are the elements of a complete career profile?

How are they organized?

Given your own background (real or imagined), what career would be suitable for you?

Choose one career for the web page project.
 

Explore:
 

You will need an Internet capable computer that has word processing and web page development software installed.

Look at these web sites for examples of job advertisements and web based career profiles. It is expected that you will search and find some additional sites on your own. You must open a blank document and keep track of useful sites and materials. It will save you a lot of time.

For information concerning jobs and careers:

USA Jobs
http://www.usajobs.gov/

America's Career InfoNet
http://www.acinet.org/acinet/
Monsterhttp://jobsearch.monster.com/" title="http://jobsearch.monster.com/" class="undefined">


International Job Opportunities
http://www.rileyguide.com/internat.html

For specific information on career profiles:
http://techworks.asttbc.org/careerprofiles.html

Index of career profiles
http://www.learnmoreindiana.org/@counselors/counselors_hs/quick_links/career_profiles/

You should review the following resources from http://www.NortelLearniT.org:
Webpage Creation, Discovering the Internet, Career Bytes

Acknowledge the sources of any information you use:
Last Name, First Name of Author (if known). "Title of work/article/page." Title of Complete Document (if applicable). Date last modified. URL (date visited).

 

Explain:
 

Summarize your findings and organize your information prior to beginning your web page. Hand the summary in to your teacher for approval. You should now be able to answer the following:

What are the common elements found in a career profile?

List at least five careers you looked at and where you found them.

Research different careers using the Internet links provided in the Explore section.

For each of the careers you listed, complete the following information about the position:

1. Title
2. Job Description
3. Wages
4. Employment Outlook/job openings
5. Responsibilities/working conditions
6. Education and training
7. Licenses required
8. Related occupations
9. Advantages/disadvantages


Next Step:

Choose a career that interests you and list all of the information suggested in the categories above for that career. Organize all of your information and create a storyboard for your web page. Review planning section of the Web page creation videos found at www.NortelLearnit.org
 

Elaborate:
 

Create the web page for your client using the career you have chosen to focus on. Be sure to include the elements of a career profile that you found in your research.

Use good web development techniques. Review the information found in the Web Page Creation videos. Be sure to include links to other sites or the main page of the company that has hired you (you can make up the name and design a main page).

Your page should include a career profile for the career you have chosen.
 

Evaluate:
 

An evaluation rubric has been attached as a Word document.
 

Extend:
 

You can add video clips of individuals who represent specific careers in your community and have your pages posted to the school website.

You might want to see if the local student employment center would post your pages for a short time.

You should review the Career Bytes videos from www.NortelLearniT.org and consider what career choices are in your future. Are you getting the appropriate skills and qualifications to pursue the career of your choice?

Talk to your guidance counselor to ensure that you have selected the correct courses for the career or for college or university entrance requirements.