Career One Stop: What's My Next Move?

Career Interest Survey

Ask students:

• What job would you like to have in the future?
• What skills do you already have?
• What jobs interest you?
• What factors are important when choosing a career?

Students complete a quick interest inventory and discuss their responses with a partner.

Class Discussion

Create a list of factors students consider important:

• Salary
• Helping others
• Job security
• Flexible schedule
• Working indoors/outdoors
• Advancement opportunities

Essential Question

How can you find a career that matches your interests, skills, and goals?

Introducing CareerOneStop

Explain that CareerOneStop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and provides free tools for career exploration, training, and job searches. The site includes career assessments, career profiles, salary information, training resources, and career videos.

Demonstrate how to navigate:

• Interest Assessment
• Career Profiles
• Career Videos
• Salary Finder
• Training Finder

Vocabulary

Review:

• Occupation
• Career Path
• Certification
• Training Program
• Job Outlook
• Salary
• Skills

Career Interest Assessment
Students complete the CareerOneStop Interest Assessment.

Assessment Link:
https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/interest-assessment.aspx

The assessment asks approximately 30 questions and suggests careers that align with students' interests.

Students record:

• Top career matches
• Careers that interest them
• Careers that surprise them

Teacher Modeling

Demonstrate how to research a career using Career Profiles.

Show students how to find:

• Job duties
• Education requirements
• Average salary
• Employment outlook
   

Career Research Activity

Students select one career from their assessment results.

Using CareerOneStop, students complete a Career Research Sheet.

Career Research Sheet

• Career Name
• Job Description
• Required Education
• Salary Range
• Skills Needed
• Job Outlook
• Why I Am Interested

Students then pair up and share their findings.

Discussion Questions

• What surprised you about your career?
• What education or training is required?
• Does this career fit your interests and goals?
• What challenges might you face pursuing this career?

Career Reflection

Students complete an exit ticket.

Exit Ticket

1. What career did you research?
2. What skills are needed for this career?
3. What education or training is required?
4. Why might this career be a good fit for you?

Success Criteria

Students can:

✓ Use CareerOneStop to research careers.

✓ Identify career requirements and salaries.

✓ Explain why a career matches their interests.

My Career Action Plan

Students create a simple action plan.

My Career Goal

Career:

Short-Term Goal:

Training or Education Needed:

Next Step:

Target Completion Date:

Students share one action they can take within the next month.

Examples:

• Complete a certification program.
• Meet with a counselor.
• Research local training programs.
• Update a résumé.
• Apply for a class or apprenticeship.