Roadmap to My Dream Career
Created byBibiana McNeil
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Roadmap to My Dream Career

Grade 12Other1 days
This project empowers high school seniors to proactively plan and execute actionable steps towards their desired career field. Students research career options, develop a step-by-step plan, and understand the financial implications of their chosen path. They also anticipate potential challenges, create contingency plans, and develop a personal brand and networking strategy. The culmination of these activities is a comprehensive career plan portfolio that prepares them for a successful transition into their chosen career.
Career ExplorationEducational PlanningFinancial ForecastingContingency PlanningPersonal BrandingNetworking StrategyCareer Goals
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can high school seniors strategically plan and execute actionable steps, starting from their current position, to successfully enter their desired career field, while proactively addressing potential obstacles and adapting to evolving opportunities?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What specific steps can I take during my senior year of high school to prepare for my desired career path?
  • How can I identify and develop the necessary skills, knowledge, and experiences required for my chosen career?
  • What educational pathways (e.g., college, vocational training, apprenticeships) align with my career goals, and what are the pros and cons of each?
  • How can I build a professional network and gain relevant experience through internships, shadowing, or volunteer work?
  • What financial planning and resources are available to support my educational and career endeavors?
  • How can I adapt to unexpected challenges and changes in the job market while staying true to my career aspirations?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Research career options
  • Develop a step-by-step plan to achieve career goals
  • Identify necessary qualifications, certifications, or licenses
  • Understand the financial implications of pursuing a career path
  • Anticipate and strategize to overcome potential challenges
  • Develop a personal brand and network

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

"The Dream Job Challenge"

Students participate in a mock 'Shark Tank' style pitch, where they present their dream career and a startup plan to achieve it. A panel of local professionals provides feedback, sparking immediate interest and highlighting real-world steps.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Educational Pathway Planner

Students explore various educational pathways (e.g., college, vocational training, apprenticeships) that align with their career goals. They will evaluate the pros and cons of each pathway and create an educational plan that includes specific courses, programs, and institutions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research various educational pathways that align with your career goals, such as college, vocational training, and apprenticeships.
2. Evaluate the pros and cons of each pathway, considering factors such as cost, duration, and career prospects.
3. Create an educational plan that includes specific courses, programs, and institutions.
4. Outline a timeline for completing your educational plan.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive educational plan that outlines specific courses, programs, and institutions, along with a timeline for completion.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Develop a step-by-step plan to achieve career goals.
Activity 2

Financial Implications Forecaster

Students investigate the financial aspects of their chosen career path, including the cost of education, potential earnings, and long-term financial planning. They will create a budget and financial forecast that outlines their expected income and expenses.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the cost of education and living expenses associated with your chosen career path.
2. Investigate the potential earnings and benefits for your chosen career.
3. Create a budget that outlines your expected income and expenses.
4. Develop a financial forecast that projects your long-term financial outlook.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed budget and financial forecast that outlines expected income and expenses, providing a clear picture of the financial implications of their career path.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Understand the financial implications of pursuing a career path.
Activity 3

Challenges and Contingency Planning

Students brainstorm potential challenges they may face in pursuing their career goals and develop contingency plans to overcome these obstacles. They will create a risk assessment and a set of alternative strategies to address unexpected challenges.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm potential challenges you may face in pursuing your career goals.
2. Conduct a risk assessment to evaluate the likelihood and impact of each challenge.
3. Develop contingency plans to overcome these obstacles.
4. Create a set of alternative strategies to address unexpected challenges.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive risk assessment and a set of contingency plans to address potential challenges and unexpected obstacles.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Anticipate and strategize to overcome potential challenges.
Activity 4

Personal Branding and Networking Strategy

Students develop a personal brand and networking strategy to help them connect with professionals in their field and gain relevant experience. They will create a resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile, and participate in networking events or informational interviews.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Create a professional resume and cover letter that highlight your skills and experiences.
2. Develop a LinkedIn profile that showcases your personal brand and career aspirations.
3. Identify networking events or informational interviews to attend.
4. Practice your elevator pitch and networking skills.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA professional resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile, along with a networking strategy to connect with professionals in their field.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Develop a personal brand and network.
Activity 5

Career Exploration Roadmap

Students begin by researching potential careers that align with their interests and skills. They will use online resources, informational interviews, and career databases to gather comprehensive information about various career paths.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Identify three potential career paths that align with your interests and skills.
2. Research each career using online resources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, career databases, and professional websites.
3. Conduct informational interviews with professionals working in your chosen fields to gain firsthand insights.
4. Create a summary for each career, including job duties, required education, salary expectations, and potential challenges.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed report summarizing three potential career paths, including job duties, required education, salary expectations, and potential challenges.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Research career options.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Comprehensive Career Planning Portfolio Rubric

Category 1

Career Exploration & Research

Demonstrates thorough research and understanding of various career paths, including job duties, required education, salary expectations, and potential challenges.
Criterion 1

Depth of Research

The extent to which the student explores and investigates potential career paths, using reliable sources and gathering comprehensive information.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates extensive research using a variety of reliable sources, providing detailed and insightful information about multiple career paths.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts thorough research using credible sources, providing clear and accurate information about several career paths.

Developing
2 Points

Conducts basic research using limited sources, providing some information about a few career paths.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows minimal research with unreliable sources, providing incomplete or inaccurate information about career paths.

Criterion 2

Informational Interviews

The quality and insights gained from informational interviews with professionals in chosen fields.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts multiple insightful informational interviews, synthesizing key takeaways and demonstrating a deep understanding of the field.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts informative interviews, gathering relevant information and demonstrating a good understanding of the field.

Developing
2 Points

Conducts one or two interviews, gathering basic information and demonstrating a limited understanding of the field.

Beginning
1 Points

Attempts interviews but struggles to gain meaningful information, demonstrating minimal understanding of the field.

Category 2

Educational Pathway Planning

Demonstrates ability to create a detailed and realistic educational plan that aligns with career goals, including specific courses, programs, and institutions.
Criterion 1

Plan Clarity & Specificity

The clarity and level of detail in the educational plan, including specific courses, programs, institutions, and timelines.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates a highly detailed and comprehensive educational plan with specific courses, programs, institutions, and a realistic timeline, demonstrating exceptional foresight.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops a clear and detailed educational plan with specific courses, programs, institutions, and a feasible timeline.

Developing
2 Points

Creates a basic educational plan with some courses, programs, institutions, and a general timeline.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents an incomplete educational plan with vague courses, programs, institutions, and no clear timeline.

Criterion 2

Pathway Evaluation

The extent to which the student evaluates the pros and cons of different educational pathways (e.g., college, vocational training, apprenticeships).

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a thorough and nuanced evaluation of multiple educational pathways, weighing the pros and cons with insightful analysis.

Proficient
3 Points

Evaluates different educational pathways, clearly stating the pros and cons of each.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies different educational pathways but provides a limited evaluation of their pros and cons.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify or evaluate different educational pathways.

Category 3

Financial Implications Forecasting

Demonstrates understanding of the financial aspects of their chosen career path, including the cost of education, potential earnings, and long-term financial planning.
Criterion 1

Budget Development

The accuracy and completeness of the budget, including all expected income and expenses.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates a highly accurate and comprehensive budget, including detailed income and expense projections, demonstrating exceptional financial literacy.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops a detailed budget that outlines expected income and expenses, demonstrating strong financial awareness.

Developing
2 Points

Creates a basic budget that includes some income and expense estimates.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents an incomplete budget with inaccurate or missing financial information.

Criterion 2

Financial Forecast Accuracy

The realism and accuracy of the long-term financial forecast, considering factors such as inflation, salary growth, and potential investments.

Exemplary
4 Points

Develops a highly realistic and accurate financial forecast, considering various factors and demonstrating exceptional financial planning skills.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates a realistic financial forecast that projects long-term financial outcomes, demonstrating solid financial planning skills.

Developing
2 Points

Develops a basic financial forecast but lacks some detail or accuracy.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents an unrealistic or incomplete financial forecast.

Category 4

Challenges and Contingency Planning

Demonstrates the ability to anticipate potential challenges and develop contingency plans to overcome obstacles in their career path.
Criterion 1

Risk Assessment

The thoroughness and accuracy of the risk assessment, including the likelihood and impact of potential challenges.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts a highly thorough and insightful risk assessment, accurately evaluating the likelihood and impact of a wide range of potential challenges.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops a comprehensive risk assessment that evaluates the likelihood and impact of potential challenges.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some potential challenges but provides a limited risk assessment.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify potential challenges or conduct a risk assessment.

Criterion 2

Contingency Plan Development

The creativity and feasibility of the contingency plans developed to address potential challenges.

Exemplary
4 Points

Develops highly creative and feasible contingency plans that comprehensively address potential challenges, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving skills.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates effective contingency plans to overcome potential challenges.

Developing
2 Points

Develops basic contingency plans but lacks detail or feasibility.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents incomplete or unrealistic contingency plans.

Category 5

Personal Branding & Networking

Demonstrates the ability to develop a personal brand and networking strategy to connect with professionals in their field and gain relevant experience.
Criterion 1

Professional Materials

The quality and effectiveness of the resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile in showcasing skills and experiences.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates outstanding professional materials (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile) that effectively showcase skills and experiences, demonstrating exceptional communication skills.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops professional materials (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile) that highlight skills and experiences.

Developing
2 Points

Creates basic professional materials but lacks polish or detail.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents incomplete or ineffective professional materials.

Criterion 2

Networking Strategy

The clarity and feasibility of the networking strategy, including identified events and informational interviews.

Exemplary
4 Points

Develops a highly strategic and feasible networking plan, identifying key events, informational interviews, and demonstrating exceptional networking skills.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates a networking strategy to connect with professionals in their field.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some networking opportunities but lacks a clear strategy.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify networking opportunities or develop a strategy.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How well do you feel the activities in this portfolio prepared you to make a career plan?

Scale
Required
Question 2

What was the most significant obstacle you identified while creating your career plan, and how do you plan to address it?

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Required
Question 3

Which activity was most helpful in solidifying your career path?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Educational Pathway Planner
Financial Implications Forecaster
Challenges and Contingency Planning
Personal Branding and Networking Strategy
Career Exploration Roadmap
Question 4

What is one aspect of your career plan that you are most excited about?

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Required
Question 5

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to someone starting this career planning process?

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Required