Introductory Lessons

There are five introductory lessons and one, post-course lesson. These lessons are to be implemented prior to the implementation of the first module (lessons 1-5) and after the last module (lesson 96). They are designed to provide students with an opportunity to create an SMCOE CA Career Zone account, to take an "Interest Profiler" and a "Work Importance" self-assessment, introduce students to California's industry sectors and Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways, and to introduce students to the topic of climate change and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Introductory Lesson Sequence Overview

The following lessons are to be implemented at the beginning of the course. The purpose of these lessons is to (1) have students use San Mateo County’s CA Career Zone website to raise their awareness to their own interests and values, and align them with potential careers; (2) introduce students to CA industry sectors, and CTE, college and career pathways; (3) introduce students to climate change; (4) introduce students to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; and (5) introduce students to this course’s modules.

Introductory Lessons Overview: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11_f7mKQVv2HmXOdgfGB-l4dPq5mvD0ioLTjExZoz5n0/edit?usp=sharing

Introductory Lessons

Lesson One: Begin your career journey in California with CA Career Zone Part I

  • Students create individual San Mateo County CA Career Zone accounts.

  • Students complete the “Interest Profiler” (self-assessment) and its associated “Reflection” writing assignment. The purpose is for students to think about how their interests align with specific careers.

  • The “Interest Profiler” will also serve to provide evaluators with data that represents students’ thinking prior to instruction.


Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QgMUGwADyYG6XUE6uRjwd0YK-3HGvoAC7fdwodfGFVA/edit?usp=sharing


Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sC3XRfR9dqy7nCrWaEoIA1tAPGDZ3PbALYfGV_B6HWk/edit?usp=sharing

Lesson Two: Begin your career journey in California with CA Career Zone Part II

Students complete the “Work Importance Profiler” and its associated “Reflection” writing assignment. The purpose is for students to think about how their values align with specific careers.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bdxIu1cXQ8Kr_jUPl4L_GyRq10YYlT5Sp4GR8bml1tE/edit?usp=sharing

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xHpOub54EgczMO3oGP-vG8EKIDNd0FG1VIzgwC9RFU8/edit?usp=sharing

Lesson Three: Introduction to CA Industry Sectors, CTE Pathways, and Post-Secondary Education

  • Students explore a specific career

  • Students are introduced to California’s fifteen industry sectors

  • Students understand how high school Career Technical Education (CTE) relates to college and career pathways.


Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vTeINa98KTSabi18QGk-Lu3RU6IPaWIOgBfKhjacrMM/edit?usp=sharing


Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jGYYWbMwKHz1NhMvkiUvyy4HG0VxCNDSHGxDt76rzTY/edit?usp=sharing

Lesson Four: Introduction to Climate Change

  • Students are introduced to the main causes and symptoms of climate change, as climate change will be referenced throughout the course.

  • Each module is designed to address climate change, and help students devise strategies to combat it.


Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fYwOCFm-lLTmOe6CVooAOM2hXtsA9qHQrfpX6EVJUb0/edit?usp=sharing


Slide Deck: None

Lesson Five: Introduction to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Green Economy

  • Students are introduced to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • Each module is designed to address one or more of the SDGs as areas that require solutions.

  • Students are given a preview of the modules that comprise the Career Awareness Course.


Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11dX9xYiaPCjC-Pn9ek7BjGPjcuyKuwfwUtqmMxHo6hY/edit?usp=sharing


Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vg4ajP2ZblmYxgHLBoXt-PzF1FiGdWcac0S72f-KMlo/edit?usp=sharing

Final Lesson: Revisit your career journey in California with CA Career Zone Interest Profiler