10^th Grade Career Unit

Marcia Nagel                                                                         Bruce Rohne

Professional School Counselor                                              MSUM Intern 2000-2001

Mankato West High School                                                   Mankato West High School

Mankato, Minnesota                                                              Mankato, Minnesota

Description of the lesson

This lesson begins the tenth grade career unit at Mankato West High School. This series of lessons was designed at Mankato West High School by Marcia Nagel, with specific facts and worksheets utilized from the Minnesota Career and education planning and exploration guide. This series is designed to be a four-day unit implemented with either an English or social studies teacher. The first day of the unit is delivered by the counselor and described in detail below. The second and third days are designated for research and writing. The worksheet is also due the third day. The fourth day is a reporting day. Teachers may decide whether it should be an oral or written report.

First day of the lesson.

There are several tasks to accomplish the first day of this unit. Each school may have varying resources to work with so adjustments may need to be made. This sample lesson will review what is done at Mankato West High School.

The first task is to review Terra Nova achievement scores with the students. These tests were taken during ninth grade so a quick review will remind students where their strengths, academically, seem to be. A ninth grade aptitude test (DAT) is also reviewed with the students. The counselor should go over the basics of the test and be sure to ask the students if they have any questions about the tests. Students should be reminded that these tests are not the end all and be all of their abilities.

The students should than take the interest inventory that is located on page four-seven of the Minnesota Careers book. The counselor should go over RIASEC after the students have found their interest code. Examples, discussion, and student questions are encouraged to ensure that the students have a solid grasp of their code and what it signifies.

The counselor should than show students how to use the career portion of the Minnesota Careers book. Make sure to pick out a few jobs and show them how to read the individual occupations. At the end of the first lesson hand out the worksheet and go over the questions with the students. Also hand out an assignment sheet, designed collaboratively by the teacher and counselor. The assignment sheet includes the guidelines for the report on the students chosen occupation.

Connections to Minnesota Graduation Standards

This unit relates to learning area eight, decision making. Specifically it covers career investigation one of the three areas that need to be completed to fulfill this standard. This unit allows students the chance to demonstrate understanding of career clusters, and attributes and attitudes needed in particular occupations.

            This lesson satisfies the four tasks students need to complete this part of the decision making standard.

a.       determining personal interest, aptitudes, and abilities

b.      establishing an explicit career action plan

c.       investigating a career through research, internship, mentorship, or community service placement

d.      evaluating career choices in relationship to life goals and personal attributes

References 

Minnesota Department of Economic Security. (2000) Minnesota’s career and education planning and exploration guide. Minnesota Department of Economic Security, St. Paul, MN.  

Minnesota Department of Economic Security

Research and Statistics Office

390 North Robert Street

St. Paul, MN 55101

651-296-6545

For Further Information

Marcia Nagel

Professional School Counselor

Mankato West High School

Mankato, Minnesota

Phone: 507-387-3461 ext. 515

Fax: 507-345-1502

E-mail: mnagel@isd77.k12.mn.us