Goals and Objectives
The goal of this curriculum web is to create a career development unit designed to implement the education standards published by the State of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Education Standards
"The standards should reflect the collective values of the citizens and be tailored to prepare young people for economic opportunities that exist in Wisconsin, the nation, and the world" (Fortier, Albrecht, Grady, & Loock, 1998, p. vi). Examples of the standards include:
- Research and write business-specific technical reports that incorporate graphic aids
- Prepare and deliver a presentation for a specific business purpose
- Analyze the degree to which one possesses the characteristics, skills, and abilities of an entrepreneur
- Assess and analyze personal talents and interests as they relate to career decisions
- Create a career and education (lifework) plan for transition from high school
- List sources of training related to career plan (Fortier, Albrecht, Grady, & Loock, 1998, p. pp 5, 6, 14, 27).
Fortier, J. D., Albrecht, B. D., Grady, S. M., & Loock, J. W. (1998). Wisconsin's Model Academic Standards for business. Retrieved from http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/standards/pdf/bused.pdf
Objectives
During the Career Development unit the student will use the internet and internet search engines among other optional tools as a means to complete several objectives for the module. The culminating project includes a report developed by the student evaluating the information learned. The student will apply the concepts to their own hopes and dreams for career and education status at about 2 years post-high school graduation. The objectives are:
- Use career and interest assessment tools to determine the student's top five areas of interest.
- Using one of the areas of career interest from #1 above, describe one of the jobs that would be available. Include information such as duties/responsibilities, skills needed, salary range, level of education or certification required, potential for promotions/advancement, and number of workers needed in next 10 years.
- Locate the web site for three educational institutions that provide instruction for one of the five areas of interest from #1 above. Describe the instructional program at each of the institutions including: Name of program of study, length of training, degree or certification provided, approximate number of students enrolled at the institution, approximate cost for the program of study (tuition, books, other expenses such as costs for students living on campus versus living at home with family), and financial aid options.
- From their research, the student will describe the differences in jobs available to individuals with no education beyond high school and those with education beyond high school such as technical/professional school, junior college, or four-year college or university.
- For one of the five areas of interest from #1 above, select one career that might be well suited for one of the following: (a) work from home opportunity; (b) freelance or contract work; (c) small business ownership (entrepreneurship). The student should describe why the job would be well suited for this type of work.
- Upon completion of the investigation of career options, the student will prepare a report detailing the information collected as well as the student's estimate of where in the career process they expect to be by 2015. The report will include sources of information collected (web site URLs). The format for the report will utilize one of the following: (a) a five-page Word document, single spaced with 1-inch margins; (b) a PowerPoint presentation with at least 20 slides including at least one graph, table, or clip art; (c) a 7-minute audio or video recording of the student reporting the results of the investigation.