Embedded Files
Career Quest Essay Outline
Topic:
(Title)
Directions: Use this format for your career research essay. Remember to use 12 point Times New Roman font and double space your paper.
I. First Paragraph: Opening
a. Tell what you knew about your career pathway before your started searching (Journal Entry #1)
II. Second Paragraph: Sources Used
a. Write about the different types of search strategies and how you used them:
i. Subscription Services
ii. Search Engines
iii. Directories
iv. Following Related Links
III. Third Paragraph: Facts about your topic
a. Write the facts you found out about your topic from each search strategy.
b. How did your quest for information change as you found more information?
IV. Fourth Paragraph: Project Information
a. Tell me what the project was supposed to teach you how to do.
b. Tell me what it means “to do research.”
c. Tell me why it matters to understand the importance of doing research (Getting the grade would not be a good thing to write here!).
V. Fifth Paragraph: Conclusion
a. Tell what information you found most useful and where you found it.
b. Tell what you learned about using the Internet for research.
c. Tell what you would do differently next time.
Using Subscription Services to Explore Career Options
Log in to Bridges Choices Explorer <www.bridges.com>
Create Portfolio
Click on Create Portfolio link in top right hand corner. Complete the form and create your portfolio. Write down you username and password on the Quick Start Guide.
Journal Entry #1
In Your portfolio, click on Your Journal, "Add a new journal entry." Make a Journal Entry about what career you are thinking of pursuing at this time and what you know about it before you start your search. If you don't have any idea about what you want to do, write about what your parents do or what you know you don't want to do.
Search Jobs using Career finder
Click on the "Career Quiz" and take a short test to help identify the best careers for you.
From the List of top 20 careers, Choose one that is interesting to you and see how closely it matches your responses to the quiz.
Click on the link to find more information about that career. Read each section and take notes.
· What they do
· Salary and Outlook
· Education
· Interview
· Get Started: Try one of the activities to respond in your journal
After you have read the information about that career and click on the link to "add to your portfolio."
Journal Entry #2
Write a journal entry recording what you learned using Career Finder.
Find a Career using a Directory
Click on the Work tab in Bridges Career Explorer. Use the Career Zone or School Subjects Directory to find a 2nd career that is interesting to you. A directory is a group of web pages that has been organized by category by a person. Using a directory is a good way to browse careers and possibly discover other careers related to your interests.
Journal Entry #3
Write a journal entry recording what you learned about a second career choice using a directory.
Following a related link
Out of the two careers you have looked at, choose your favorite. Look at the related majors for that field. Read one and look at the related careers. Are there any others that look interesting to you? Add the Related Major to your Portfolio. Add any other careers that may interest you to your portfolio to look at later. You may also want to explore related links as well.
Journal Entry #4
Write a journal entry recording what you learned about majors and other careers relating to your career.
Finding Information on the World Wide Web
Most of the Bridges entries will refer you to find more information from outside sources. These are considered more trustworthy than sites found from a search engine because professionals are PAID to recommend sources that will be beneficial to their clients.
Using a Trusted Source:
Occupational Outlook Handbook <http://www.bls.gov/>
This website is produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can tell it is a government sponsored website because the address ends in .gov. This is a trusted source. Search the Occupational Outlook Handbook for an article on the career of your choice. Take notes.
Journal Entry #5
Write a journal entry in your Bridges Journal about what kind of information was available from the Occupational Outlook Handbook and what you learned to further your career research.
Using a Search Engine on the World Wide Web
To find out ways to use search engines more productively, complete the Tutorial from Alta Vista
Do a search for your career using a search engine. Use the Alta Vista Search Engine, or another from the Search Engines page. How many "hits" are there? Are there any "Sponsored Results?" Are they trying to sell you something? How many websites do you have to look at before you find something useful? Choose one website to read and take notes.
Journal Entry #6
Write a journal entry about what information you found using a search engine.
Using Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia. It is a great place to find general, up to date information, but is not suitable to use as a source in scholarly research (i.e. school papers!). Wikipedia can lead you to other online sources of information that may be more credible. Read What is a Wiki?. Search Wikipedia for information on your career. Read and take notes. Click on the "Disclaimer" at the bottom of the Wikipedia page. What does the disclaimer say about the trustworthiness of Wikipedia?
Journal Entry #7
Write a Journal Entry comparing what you found on Wikipedia to what you have already learned from other sources. Explain how trustworthy the information on Wikipedia is.
Homework: Finding Information From People
Interview a friend or family member who is already working in their chosen career. find out how they made their career choice and if they would have done anything differently. what do they like most and least about their career?
Journal Entry #8
Write a journal entry about what you learned from your interview in your Bridges Portfolio.
For Further Reading:
To find any print sources available on your career, look in the library catalog to find books related to your career. You may also consider biographies of famous people who have succeedd in the career of your choice. If you cannot find anything in the library catalog, try online book dealers such as Amazon , <www.amazon.com> or Barnes and Noble <www.barnesandnoble.com>.
Journal Entry #9
Write a works cited entry for the book and a one sentence description in your Bridges Journal.
Resources:
Link Back to High School LessonsIf you would like to add to this list, please contact mrsgteach@yahoo.com. Links checked 07/08/2019
Google Sites
Report abuse