Aligning Employment Opportunities with Career Goals

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Program Title:
  Principles of Public Service

  
  Course Title: Principles of Public Service

  Course Number: 8900330

  Career Cluster: Government & Public Administration

  CIP Number: 07439997PA

  Course Type: OTHER - High School Programs

  CTE Standard(s) or benchmarks: CTE-GPA.9123031.8900330.2.5 Evaluate and compare employment opportunities that match career goals.

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson is designed to be used with the case study, “A Path to Achieving Career Goals” See CPALMS resource ID# 219613.

• Career Connection

  
  

  This lesson plan helps students develop critical thinking and analytical skills by evaluating job opportunities based on various factors like salary, growth potential, and alignment with career goals. It also fosters collaboration, communication, and teamwork through group activities and class discussions, allowing students to present and explain their choices. Additionally, students improve their research and information-gathering skills by analyzing case studies and real job postings.

• Learning Objectives

  
  

  Students will be able to:

  • Analyze and compare employment opportunities presented
  • Determine which employment opportunity best aligns with an individual's career goals
  • Present information orally based on analysis of multiple employment opportunities

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be familiar with/able to:

  • Participate in group discussion and collaborate with peers
  • Basic knowledge of job market terminology (e.g., salary, benefits, job security)

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • What are some ways to evaluate and compare employment opportunities to match personal career goals?

• Procedure

  
  

  1. To introduce the lesson, display three different real-world job postings (from different career fields) on the board. Some examples of options are provided in the Special Materials Section entitled, “Real-World Job Postings.”

  • Ask students to choose one and justify why they would consider or reject it based on factors such as salary, benefits, job security, and alignment with their career goals.
  • Allow time for students to discuss with shoulder partners or in small groups.
  • Have students share thoughts with the whole class.

  2. Present students with the following guiding question before distributing the case study. "What are some ways to evaluate and compare employment opportunities to match personal career goals?"

  • Provide a few minutes for students to think and discuss this question as it relates to the introduction activity.

  3. Provide students with Case Study “A Path to Achieving Career Goals” CPALMS Resource ID# 219613. The teacher can provide students with guiding questions to use during paired or group discussion of the case study. The following discussion questions can be displayed:

  • What are the main advantages and disadvantages of each job opportunity for Jeyson?
  • How does each position align with Jeyson’s long-term goal of becoming a Policy Analyst?
  • What skills does Jeyson already have that would help him in each role? What skills would he need to develop?
  • Which job offers the most job security? Which offers the most professional growth?
  • If you were Jeyson, which job would you choose and why?

  4. Before beginning the student activity, allow students time to read and discuss the case study. Once students have finished, in small groups or pairs, provide each group or pair with the graphic organizer comparing the three job opportunities, entitled “Job Opportunities Comparison Graphic Organizer” from the case study based on:

  • • Job Responsibilities
    • Salary and Benefits
    • Skills Required vs. Skills Jeyson Possesses
    • Growth Potential
    • Work-Life Balance
    • Alignment with Career Goals
  • Have each group discuss and decide which job is the best option for Jeyson, justify their decision, and complete the graphic organizer.

  5. Student Presentations: Each group can present their findings to another group or whole class.

  6. Facilitate a debate based on the following question probe: "Which factor is the most important in career decision-making—salary, passion, job security, or growth potential?"

  • Reflect on how students can use this method to evaluate their own career options this can be done by asking students or giving a brief overview by teacher.
  • Students can share out any takeaways that have stuck with them.

  7. To wrap up the lesson, students can complete a quick written reflection answering, “What factors are most important when evaluating job opportunities for your own career goals?”

  8. To bring the lesson to a close and allow students to connect to real-world career goals, the following questions can be posed, these can be displayed and discussed as a whole group or students can select and discuss one or two in small groups.

  • What strategies can job seekers use to transition into a new field that aligns with their long-term goals?
  • How can networking and professional development opportunities impact career advancement?
  • What are your personal long-term career goals? What are your thoughts on having a 5-year plan?

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • This lesson can be completed over 2 class periods if time doesn’t permit.