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1.1
Topic 1.1 Lesson Plan
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DATA CRUNCH:
What Job Characteristics Matter Most to College Grads?
Analyze the graph to answer the questions on this Data Crunch.
NOTE: Although this Data Crunch uses data on college graduates, these job characteristics are still relevant for students pursuing other career options.
1
In this activity, students will be able to:
Analzye the characteristics that college graduates said were important to their first “good job”.
Compare responses for all graduates and recent graduates.
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VIDEO:
Work or College?
What should you do after high school? It’s a big question, but don’t panic. Watch this video that breaks down your different options.
Watch & answer the questions:
1. What are three options you can pursue after high school?
2. Why might going to college be a good financial decision, despite the cost?
3. What are the pros and cons of beginning work directly after high school?
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In this activity, students will be able to:
Analyze the relationship between education, pay, & unemployment
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ARTICLE:
Alternatives To College: What Are My Options?
A 4-year college is a great option after high school, but it’s not the only one. Read the article to learn more about community college, trade school, and more! Then, answer the questions.
Students will: Read & answer the questions
Why might you consider community college if you know you want a four-year bachelor's degree?
Why do you think there is so much demand for apprenticeships?
Trade schools and boot camps prepare students to enter a specific career, but many are for-profit programs. Explain what “for-profit” means. What are the potential disadvantages of attending a for-profit school?
3
In this activity, students will be able to:
Identify different available career pathways
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MOVE:
Career Kick-Off
The objective of this activity is for students to explore themes about working and discuss their opinions about the world of work with their classmates. Students will respond to broad statements about their career plans, the connection between education and career, getting a job, and the world of work.
Students will: Participate in a class discussion
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In this activity, students will be able to:
Explore thematic questions about work and discuss their opinions with classmates
Respond to broad statements about their career plans, the connection between education and career, getting a job, and the larger world of work
ACTIVITY:
MOVE: Career Comparison
The objective of this activity is to compare career salaries and pathways. Each student receives a card with different career information. Then, in various rounds, students compare their job titles, annual income, skills, education, and industry. Afterward, students will explore other jobs in the same field and how job skills can transition to other career opportunities.
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In this activity, students will be able to:
Learn about different careers and how their job skills can lead to other career opportunities
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ACTIVITY:
INTERACTIVE: What is the Most Common Job in Each State?
Follow the instructions on the worksheet to discover which jobs are the most common in the country, your state, and your region.
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In this activity, students will be able to:
Explore what the most common jobs have been in the United States, their state, and specific area
Hypothesize how they think this data will evolve over time
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REFERENCE:
A Wide Range of Minimum and Median Wages Across States
How much do people typically earn in your state? This chart provides a benchmark for how much you might expect to earn. It shows both the minimum wage & median hourly wage across all workers in your state. Analyze the chart & answer the accompanying questions.
Which state has the highest median wage? What is it?
Find your state. What is the minimum hourly wage in your state for non-tipped workers? What is the median hourly wage?
What is the difference between your state’s median wage and minimum wage? What percentage of workers’ wages fall within that range?
For a full-time job, you can multiply the hourly wage by 2080 to get the annual salary. How much would a full-time minimum-wage worker in your state earn annually?
Are you surprised by any data from this graph? Why or why not?
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In this activity, students will be able to:
Contextualize the minimum and median wage in your state
click icon for article
Article:
11 Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year Before College
Taking a gap year from a traditional academic track can lead to insightful experiences and growth. Read the article to learn more about the pros and cons of taking a gap year before college or joining the workforce. Then, answer the questions
1. Identify one top benefit for each category of gap year growth and one potential downside that resonates with you and explain why it is important for you.
a. Personal Benefits
b. Social Benefits
c. Academic Benefits
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In this activity, students will be able to:
Understand the personal, social, and academic benefits of taking a gap year
Identify important questions to consider when planning a gap year
Explain how a gap year experience can fit in their resume
ARTICLES
Publisher: NPR ✴CRE and Equity
Publisher: Teen Vogue ✴CRE and Equity
INFOGRAPHICS
Publisher: Statista ✴CRE and Equity
Publisher: howmuch.net
Publisher: howmuch.net
VIDEOS
Publisher: Two Cents
Publisher: Above the Noise
We start each lesson with a QoD!
How much more per week does a college grad earn compared to someone with "some" college?
What percent of high school students have considered vocational/trade schools?
What is the #1 career that high schoolers are most interested in pursuing?
What percentage of college graduates work in their field of study?
How much do recent college graduates expect to make in their first job after graduation, based on a new survey from 2022?
What percentage of language is expressed in 'body language'?
What percent of Gen Z report having a "side hustle" (a.k.a. participate in the gig economy)?
What percent of students who took a gap year returned to college within a year?
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