Unlock Career Exploration with Snapshots of Careers: Engage Students and Foster Collaboration

Career Exploration:

When it comes to career exploration, it's never too early to start! At my school, we have Career Vehicle Day for K-2 and Career Speaker Day for grades 3-5. During these events, students get to choose three speakers to learn about their careers. The sessions are 30 minutes long, and the kids switch between speakers.

Career Research Activity:

One year, I noticed some brilliant students taking notes during the career sessions. That gave me an idea! So, the following year, I created Snapshots of Careers Note Taking sheet for all the students to use. I printed it two-sided and folded it in half to make a Research Booklet.

Snapshots of Careers is such a helpful tool! Students using this tool pay closer attention and have a guide to asking important details about a career. Students can jot down facts about a career's description, education or skills needed, type of workplace, and cool facts they learned. 

What did the Teachers Think?

The teachers really liked this idea and used the students' research booklets to create bulletin boards and have students share with others in their class.

Benefits:

1. Enhanced Career Exploration: The Career Vehicle Day and Career Speaker Day events provide students with an opportunity to be exposed to various career options in the community. By allowing students to choose which career speakers they would like to learn from, students are actively exploring various careers and expanding their knowledge about different professions in their areas of interest.

2. Engaged Learning: Using the Snapshots of Careers Note-Taking sheet and Research Booklet fosters active engagement during each career session. Encouraging students to take notes and jot down important facts about careers helps them become active learners and promotes critical thinking skills.

3. Organized Information: The Research Booklet offers a structured format for students to collect information about careers. This not only helps students organize their thoughts but also enables teachers to assess their understanding and knowledge of different careers.

4. Classroom Sharing and Collaboration: Teachers can utilize the research booklets created by students to foster classroom sharing and collaboration. By creating bulletin boards or organizing sharing sessions, students can showcase the careers they have explored and share interesting facts with their peers. This promotes a collaborative learning environment and encourages students to learn from one another.

Overall, these ideas provide teachers with a comprehensive approach to career exploration, facilitating student engagement, organization, and collaboration in the process.

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Exploring Career interests and Finding a Just Right Job: An Elementary Career Exploration Lesson

November is National Career Development Month, making it the perfect time to teach little ones about exploring their career interests. And what better way to do that than by using the book "How Santa Got His Job"! This delightful story not only entertains but also teaches children valuable lessons about finding their passion and the journey to discovering the perfect career path.

To start the lesson, I transitioned by discussing the concept of jobs and careers with the students. We talked about how jobs are a special kind of work that helps others or keeps the world running smoothly. I asked the students to share some examples of the jobs that grownups at our school do to support our learning environment, such as teachers, principals, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and school counselors. This discussion helped set the stage for exploring the process of choosing careers.

Next, we dove into the story "How Santa Got His Job" by Stephen Krensky. As I read the book, I encouraged the students to identify the different jobs that Santa tried before finding his "just right" job as Santa Claus. We had a lively discussion about why Santa picked each job and what interests he discovered in each one.

To further engage the students, I created a PowerPoint presentation. Each slide represented one of Santa's interests, and the students had to select the corresponding picture. When they clicked on it, the PowerPoint revealed how Santa incorporated that interest into his "just right" job. For example, Santa loved wearing his red circus costume, so now he wears his iconic red Santa suit! This activity allowed the students to see how Santa matched his interests, personality, and abilities to find a job he truly enjoyed.

In line with the ASCA standards, this lesson helped students understand the relationships between personal qualities, education and training, and the world of work. By exploring Santa's career journey, the students could make connections between their own interests and potential careers.

The next part of the lesson focused on the importance of selecting a job that aligns with personal preferences. Using the "career s-ELF-lie" challenge, I introduced Santa's elves who wanted to pursue different careers beyond toy-making. I presented descriptions of various careers and asked the students to guess which elf matched each career. This activity promoted collaborative problem-solving and effective communication skills while encouraging the students to think about their own interests and potential career paths.

To wrap up the lesson, I introduced the "Elf  Yourself" activity. I encouraged the students to think about what they liked to do and what careers they might be interested in. They were then asked to draw their own "Career s-ELF-ie" to represent their aspirations.

Teaching about careers can be a fun and engaging way to empower young minds. By incorporating interactive activities and discussions, we can help children explore their interests, set goals, and develop the confidence to pursue their dreams. Let's continue inspiring the next generation to think about their future and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead!

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Tracker - A Virtual Job Shadowing Community Career Awareness Program

                                      

Introducing Tracker: Igniting a Passion for Career Exploration

I've got something super exciting to share with you all. It's a fantastic program I created for my students called Tracker. I came up with this program to get my students pumped about exploring different careers in our community. Let me tell you all about it!

The Adventure Begins: Tracker's Field Trips to Exciting Workplaces

Tracker is like a little adventure case with a zipper pocket - perfect for carrying around some cool stuff that he collects on the job. Tracker absolutely loves learning about different careers! Every week, Tracker gets to go home with a different student on a special field trip to their parents' workplaces. It's an awesome opportunity for Tracker to learn about various careers and what they involve. 

When Tracker comes back from his field trip, the student who took him home gets to present a fabulous report. They create a poster filled with pictures of all the amazing things Tracker got to experience and learn about. Then I film their presentations and show them on our morning news show for the whole school to see. How cool is that?

Now, to make sure everything runs smoothly, we've got a permission slip in place. So, before taking Tracker home, students need to get their parents to sign it, giving permission to take Tracker to work and participate in some on-the-job training. They're also responsible for snapping pictures of Tracker doing cool things, like operating a forklift at Lowes or flying a Fighter Bomber for the Air Force. Talk about exciting!

Permission Slip

To keep things organized, I provide students with clear directions and a handy report form to fill out when Tracker returns, after a week. It helps them capture all the awesome details of Tracker's adventure to share with their classmates.

Report Form

Showcasing the Adventures

And here’s a dog-gone great promotion: I created a huge display to showcase Tracker's adventures. I usually have five posters hanging at a time, representing the five Schools of Study: Arts and Humanities, Business Management and Information Systems, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Industrial Technologies, Health Science and Human Services, and Public Services. Under each poster, I write the name of the job Tracker visited in that particular field of study, along with the name of the student who took Tracker on that field trip. It's a way to give a shout-out to the students and their chosen careers all year long, even as I change the posters.

Now, let me share some of the incredible places Tracker has been - Atlanta Bread Co, American Red Cross, McEntire Air Force Base, Gamestop, and South Carolina Law Enforcement. These field trips offer our students a glimpse into a wide range of exciting careers in our community and inspire them to dream big!

At Atlanta Bread Co, Tracker got to witness the artistry of talented bakers crafting mouthwatering pastries and bread from scratch. The tantalizing aroma of freshly baked goods filled the air as Tracker learned all about the business.

The American Red Cross took Tracker on a heart-pounding adventure. Our little explorer had the chance to learn about life-saving techniques. Tracker witnessed firsthand the dedication and courage required to respond swiftly to emergencies and provide vital assistance to those in need.

McEntire Air Force Base was an absolute thrill for Tracker! Our adventurous companion got an up-close look at high-flying fighter bombers, witnessing the power and precision of our brave men and women in uniform. It was an awe-inspiring experience that left Tracker dreaming of soaring through the skies.

Tracker's visit to Gamestop was a gamer's paradise. Our little explorer dove into the world of video games, learning about the latest releases, and gaming trends. Tracker's joystick skills were put to the test as they tried their hand at various gaming challenges. 

South Carolina Law Enforcement provided Tracker with an inside look at the fascinating world of crime fighting. From forensic investigations to patrol cars and police training, Tracker witnessed the dedication and teamwork displayed by law enforcement officers. It was an eye-opening experience that sparked an interest in justice and public safety.

Here is one of Tracker's videos:

Inspiring Dreams: Tracker's Impact on Career Aspirations

These captivating field trips exposed our students to diverse careers. As Tracker explored these incredible places, our students enjoyed envisioning themselves as future bakers, paramedics, pilots, gamers, or even law enforcement heroes. The possibilities are endless, and Tracker is just the beginning of their exciting journey towards fulfilling careers in our community.

So, my fellow school counselors, Tracker is truly making a difference in our career awareness program. It's opening their eyes to the boundless opportunities that await them right in their own community. Together, let's continue to provide hands-on experiences to excite our students to dream big and conquer the world!

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Mr. Potato Head Dresses for Success

It is Career month at my school.  We typically focus on Careers through Classroom Guidance and conclude the focus with a Career Week where we have a Dress-up Day, Vehicle Day for the younger students, and Career Speaker Day for the older students.  This year I made an interactive bulletin board to get the kids thinking about career exploration.

I'm not sure how many Potato Heads I have around my house, but I got to thinking...I love how Mr. Potato Head has increased his wardrobe over the years.  I think of the many different hair pieces and accessories we have such as Pirate Potato Head or Spider Spud.  We just may have more Potato outfits than Barbie outfits!












As I pondered about playing with Mr. Potato Head, I came up with an interactive, dress Mr. Potato Head in a Career Outfit Bulletin Board!

I started by cutting out a basic Mr. Potato Head figure out of brown construction paper.  I just drew these free hand. Then I cut out the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, mustache and hands and attached them all to the Potato body.  Next I cut out three different pairs of boots - brown, black, and white; as well as, one pair of flippers.  I decided to dress Mr. Potato Head with different career hats.  Each career also has one tool that they use.  For instance you could dress Mr. Potato Head as a Magician by giving him a top hat and a magic wand.

I made three suitcases and labeled them: Work Hats, Work Tools, and Work Boots.  After having all the pieces laminated, I attached velcro dots to the back of the individual pieces and stored them in their appropriate suitcase.  Now Mr. Potato Head has interchangeable career outfits! I came up with the following Career Hats and Career Tools/Hand-held objects:

1. Astronaut - Space Helmet with microphone and a Walkie Talkie
2. Chef - Chef Hat and a Pie
3. Scuba Diver - Scuba Mask and Snorkle
4. Detective - Shirlock Holmes Hat and a Magnifying Glass
5. Magician - Top Hat and a Wand
6. Construction Worker - Hard Hat and a Hammer
7. Police Officer - Police Cap and Handcuffs
8. Doctor - Medical Headlight and a Medical Bag
9. Mail Man - Mail Man Hat and a Letter to Mrs. Potato Head
10. Plumber - Plumber Cap and Plunger
11. Fireman - Fireman Helmet and a Hose

As soon as the kids saw my new bulletin board, they swarmed it like a hive of bees!

I'm hoping it doesn't get torn up or I might just have to quote Mrs. Potato Head,

 "Don't make me get out my angry eyes!" 

"Paws" for Career Awareness & Exploration Research Booklet

                                       

Unleashing Excitement: 

Get those tails wagging with excitement because this month, our lesson is all about careers, just like fetching sticks or chasing squirrels! We want our younger students to sniff out the countless opportunities that lie ahead. So, instead of just giving them a boring career lesson, they are getting a "pawsome" opportunity to research in the computer lab, where they can explore their interests and some howlingly cool careers. Our amazing computer teachers are the top dogs and have handpicked safe websites for our little explorers. We've got quite a collection, but for today's adventure, we'll be digging into the "Paws in Jobland" site!

Sniffing Out Opportunities: 

Kids will have their ears perked as they do the "Job Finder" online survey. The best part is that all the questions and careers are read out loud to them, making it super easy for everyone to follow along! Once they've finished the survey, they'll be taken to a cartoon community where they'll discover the highlighted career clusters. 

A "Pawsome" Adventure: 

They get to "sniff" out specific careers in their chosen clusters! Just by clicking on the cluster, a list of awesome careers will appear. They can watch a fun slideshow video that explains the ins and outs of each career. And they can "fetch" information for two exciting careers to fill their mini career research booklets!

Bone-a-fide Ways to Encourage Career Awareness:

Expanding Paw-sibilities: Introduce your primary students to many different jobs and careers, so they can discover new possibilities and explore their interests.

Early Sniff-out: Help young learners understand what adults do for work, showing them the different jobs people have in the world.

Tail-wagging Exploration: Encourage students to explore their interests and hobbies, and show them how these can relate to future careers.

Goal-fetching: Teach students the importance of setting goals for their education and future careers, and motivate them to work towards achieving their dreams.

Motivation with Bark-worthy Relevance: Connect what students learn in the classroom to real-life situations and careers, making their education more meaningful and exciting.

Pawsome Aspirations: Inspire students to dream big and believe in their own potential by introducing them to a variety of careers.

Canine Confidence: Boost students' confidence by helping them recognize their strengths and talents, and showing them that they have something valuable to contribute to the world.

Fetching Life Skills: Develop important life skills such as problem-solving, communication, and teamwork through career exploration activities.

Family Pack Engagement: Involve families in career discussions and activities to provide additional support and guidance for students.

Wag-tastic Planning: Teach students the importance of planning for their future, helping them make informed decisions and set goals for their education and career paths.

Craft Your Own Career Research Booklet:

So, get ready to embark on a bone-a-fide journey of career discovery like no other! Your tails will be wagging with excitement as you download this FREE Career Research Booklet! To make these awesome career research booklets, just print and fold them in half twice to make quarter-sized booklets. 

You can get this Paw-some Freebie here:

Looking for more Career Awareness and Exploration Ideas? Check these out!