Career Development, Interest, and Aptitude
Kristan Pfarr
Stephanie Eilts
Professional School Counselor
MSU-M Intern 1998-1999
LeCenter High School
LeCenter High School
LeCenter, MN 56057
LeCenter, MN 56057
Description of the Lesson
The career development, interest, and aptitude lessons developed by Kristan Pfarr and Stephanie Eilts at LeCenter High School can be used with 9th graders to assess their aptitudes related to career development and assist these students in establishing goals for their post-secondary career. These lessons can be completed as a series of career decision-making activities to be used in the classroom and are adopted from sources including the Nebraska Career Guidance Program Handbook and Resources for an Advisory Program (RAP) (see references below for details). These lessons are designed to use in a 45-50 minute classroom. Time should allow for adequate classroom discussion.
One particular lesson from this series includes the implementation of the COPS Interest Inventory. The goal of this particular activity is to understand personal interests, skills, and aptitudes as they relate to broad occupational areas. The objective is to assess the student’s aptitudes and interests as they relate to their career development. A COPS Interest Inventory, paper, and pencil is needed to complete this activity.
Students should complete the COPS Interest Inventory. The counselor should interpret the results of the inventory. Teachers and students should discuss how the information is related to assist them in planning their career directions. Students should identify several careers that would fit their interest inventory profiles. Students should select a couple of careers that seem most interesting to them and obtain more information. Information can be located in the Minnesota Careers (also available on the Web at http://www.des.state.mn.us/lmi/careers) and in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
These may be some areas of interest for students to investigate:
Connections to Related Standards, Competencies, and Domains
Career Development, Interest, and Aptitude can be directly linked to Minnesota Graduation Standard number 8 (Decision Making) Career Investigation. The students will evaluate career choices through informed decision making by completing the COPS Interest Inventory and investigating careers.
References and Resources
Cafferty, E. & Lavaty, E., (1989). Nebraska career guidance program handbook. Center for Vocational Education, Kearney State College from the Nebraska state Department of Education, Vocational Education Division under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act of 1984 (P. L. 98-524).
C.O.P.S. Interest Inventory (1995). San Diego, CA: Education Research and Service.
Franklin-McKinley School District (1989). RAP: Resources for an advisory program. Dale Seymour Publications.
National Labor Market Resources (1998-1999). Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). U.S. Department of labor: Author.
Minnesota Careers
Minnesota Department of Economic Security
Research and Statistics Office
390 North Robert Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: (651) 296-6545
Fax: (651) 2825429
For Further Information
Kristan Pfarr
Professional School Counselor
LeCenter High School
150 W. Tyrone St.
LeCenter, MN 56057
Phone (507) 357-6802
Fax (507) 357-1825
Web: kpfarr@lc.k12.mn.us