Who am I and what do I want to do with the rest of my life?
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A WebQuest for 10th Grade (Guidance/English)

Designed by

Deborah R. Stout
drstout@redclay.k12.de.us

Introduction | Learners | Standards | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Student Page




Introduction

This lesson was developed by the guidance department as a result of the need for more career guidance, particularly with tenth graders.

The lesson is about identifying personality traits and exploring career interests. It also has a goal identifying component with a required essay that will become a part of the student's English grade.


Learners

This lesson is designed for all tenth graders however it could really be used by any grade. Because this is a guidance activity, the grade will be attached to the student's English course to ensure the completion of the activity.

Students should have prior internet and basic computer knowledge before completing this lesson.

Curriculum Standards

Guidance Standards Addressed:

Career Development

  • Students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and make informed career decisions.
  • Students will employ strategies to achieve future career success and satisfaction.
  • Students will understand the relationship between personal qualities, education and training, and the world of work


Personal/Social Development

  • Students will make decisions, set goals, and take necessary action to achieve goals.



Process

This webquest will be done in small groups of 5-10 in the career center. One group will complete the entire lesson before another group is brought in.  This should take approximately 3 class periods.  Students will be pulled out of study halls as much as possible. If the student does not have a study hall, arrangements will be made so that the student is not missing the same class more than once. 

In order to ensure that the students spend time on this and take it seriously, an essay assignment is also part of the lesson. This essay will be graded by the student's English teacher and used as he/she sees fit. Below is the process that the students will recieve. 

Process:

Now let’s get started. By walking you through a step-by-step process, you will learn more about yourself and be able to identify your careers of interest. Make sure you have a disk with you so you can save this valuable information. 

1)First you need to find out about yourself. By taking Holland’s self-directed search, you will answer questions relating to things you like and don’t like to do. The inventory will walk you through the various steps to come up with a 3 letter code which will tell you what kind of a person you are. Click on the link below for the Holland inventory.You will sign in using the user id that was assigned to you.

http://www.self-directed-search.com/
2)Now that you have come up with a code, using the occupations finder in the self directed search, choose 3 careers that sound like something you would be interested in. Jot these down somewhere or save the names on a disk so you remember them.
3. Using at least 2 of the recommended websites below, find out 3 things about each job you identified. 1) a description of the job (ie, responsibilities, type of work) 2) the post secondary education required and 3) approximate starting salary in this area. Make sure you document which sites you used.
 


4.  Now choose the one career out of your three which interests you the most. You are going to do even more research on this one career. If you were to choose this career, what is the one thing that you would most like to know (aside from the obvious - ie, how much money do you make?)  You are going to pose this question to the "ask an expert" website. Make sure you remember the question you asked. You will need to keep checking your email to see if you get an answer!

5.  Now you are going to write an essay for you English class about the career you chose. This will be a standard 5 paragraph essay and must include the following:

  • detailed description of the career and why you chose it
  • post-secondary education required
  • starting salary
  • 2 short term and long terms goals you will establish for yourself in order for you to become a professional in this field.
You must include references to which websites you used.  Your webquest grade will be based on the following rubric. This grade will be passed on to your English teacher. It will be averaged into your essay grade. The essay grade will be determined by your English teacher and counted as one of your required marking period writing assignments.



Resources Needed

Student email account (can be set up if not done so already)
Netscape navigator or other browser

Hollands Self Directed Search Interest Inventory:
http://www.self-directed-search.com

Career Links:

  • Virtual Career Net
  • Hot Jobs
  • Lycos/Careers
  • Mapping Your Future
  • Colleges and Career Center
  • Career Links
  • On Line Career Center

    • Career Builder
     

    One counselor could sufficiently run the lesson. The English teacher may want to be involved just to see what the students are researching before the students write their essay. This lesson could be used in conjunction with the career shadowing program. Students could do a "day on the job" with a professional in their field of interest.
     


    Evaluation

    Evaluation:

     

     Poor 

        1
    Fair
    2

     Good

    3

     Excellent

    4
    Student completed personality test and interest inventory and identified at least 3 personality traits.
    Student did not entirely complete evaluations and therefore, came up with either inaccurate or inappropriate results.
    Student took evaluations but with not much interest or effort. The results may or may not reflect who they are.
    Student took time with evaluations and came up with at least 2 personality traits that they wish to pursue in their career search.
    Student took time with evaluations and came up with 3 or more traits that they wish to pursue in their career search.
    Student indentified and documented at least 3 careers that matched their interests.
    Student did not identify any careers which could possibly match his/her traits.
    Student identified one career which matched his/her traits.
    Student identified 2 career which matched his/her traits.
    Student identified 3 or more careers which matched his/her traits.
    Student researched those careers through at least 2 different links or other websites to find out more information (ie, starting salary, job description, post secondary education required).
    Student attempted to research one career but was not able to document any of the information asked for.
    Student researched at least one career through one link and came up with very vague information.
    Student researched all their career choices through 2 links and came up with very useful information.
    Student researched all their career choices through 2 or more links and came up with a wealth of information.
    Student created at least 2 short term and 2 long term goals for themselves in regards to their career choices and a plan of attack in how to reach these goals.
    Student created only one short term and no long term goals. Student did not come up with a plan for reaching this goal.
    Student created one short term and one long term goal. Students plan was very vague and not realistic.
    Student created 2 short term and 2 long term goals. In addition, he/she came up with an appropriate plan in reaching these goals.
    Student created more than 2 short term and long term goals. His/her plan of attack was very well thought out and included a lot of detail.

    Students' essays and results will be filed and gone over with the student again at the end of the year in a group guidance session. Students will also be asked to fill out a short evaluation for guidance's use. 


    Conclusion

    This lesson will be very valuable to both counselors and students. It will give both parties a starting point in the career/college search. The students will learn more about themselves which will help them make more informed career and college choices.


    Credits & References

    Images courtesy of windows 98 clip art
    Delaware Career Compass (Dept of Labor)
    Web Quest Page

    Last updated on July 25, 2001.   Based on a template from The WebQuest Page