Learning to Earn: Career Planning

The "Learning to Earn: Career Planning" lab is a comprehensive lab designed to guide students through the essential aspects of career planning and preparation. The lab is structured to provide students with practical knowledge and skills that will help them make informed decisions about their future careers. It is divided into three main sections: Career Planning Basics, Preparing for Job, and Unemployment, Needs & Wants, and Conclusion.

Section 1: Career Planning Basics

Students will explore the fundamentals of career planning, including understanding personal interests, strengths, and values, and setting short-term and long-term career goals.

Key Activities:

• Exploring Interests and Strengths: Students identify their personal interests and strengths through self-assessment activities.
• Setting Goals: Students learn to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) short-term and long-term goals related to their career aspirations.
• Educational Pathways: Students compare the benefits and drawbacks of various post-high school options, including entering the workforce, attending trade school, community college, university for a bachelor's degree, and graduate school.
• College Degree Costs: Analyzing the cost of attending colleges and the financial aid available.
• What is a good job? : Analyze survey results on what are the characteristics of a good job, what are employers looking for from a potential employee, etc.
• Career Clusters: Understand an analyze career clustered.

Section 2: Preparing for Job

Students develop practical job application skills, including resume writing, cover letter creation, and building a professional online presence.

Key Activities:

• Data Analysis: As a first step to career exploration, students will analyze various data such as Jobs vs Salary, Fastest Growing Occupations, Fastest Declining Occupations, etc. using interactive worksheets.
• Understanding Job Posting: Analyzing sample job postings to understand the requirements and responsibilities of different roles.
• Resume and Cover Letter: Students create a professional resume that highlights their skills, experiences, and achievements.
• LinkedIn Profile: Create a LinkedIn profile to showcase professional qualifications and begin building a professional network.

Section 3: Unemployment, Needs & Wants, and Conclusion

Students explore economic concepts such as unemployment trends and the difference between needs and wants, helping them understand broader economic factors that impact their careers.

Key Activities:

• Unemployment Trends: Analyzing data on unemployment from 2000 to 2022 to understand economic cycles and their impact on the job market.
• Needs vs. Wants: Completing a worksheet on differentiating needs from wants, and understanding how this distinction affects financial planning and career decisions.
• Final Reflection: Reflecting on what has been learned throughout the lab and discussing long-term career planning and personal financial management.

This lab provides a structured and engaging approach to career planning, helping students make informed decisions about their futures while equipping them with the practical skills needed to succeed in the job market. By the end of the lab, students will have a well-rounded understanding of career exploration, job application processes, and the economic factors that influence their career choices.