Introduction

"Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." - Confucius

You were probably asked as a young child, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" You may have answered with typical responses such as a fireman, policeman, doctor, nurse, or dancer. Children often respond with what they know simply based on what they have seen from their parents or on TV. Culture is also a huge influence on educational and career choices.

At this point in time, you may have a dream of what you would like to do for the rest of your life, or you may have no idea. You may have experienced career days at your school and perhaps job shadowing opportunities. Maybe you are already working in a part-time job. You may feel a strong pull, or calling, in one direction or another. It is an exciting time because there are so many options available today.

Before you make decisions, do the research first. Think seriously about your true interests, abilities, and strengths, and match them with an educational plan to ensure an enjoyable career. Finding the perfect fit requires thought and planning. This lesson will help you analyze your personal interests so that you can make better decisions toward an enjoyable and satisfying vocation. Let's get started exploring so that you can become who you are meant to be.

"The two most important days in your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why." - Mark Twain

 

This unit is heavily based on ACPS (Alabama Career Planning System), which is available to most Alabama High Schools.

  • If you do not yet have a login, please speak with your school counselor. You will need it to complete this unit.
  • Some schools may utilize Clever as a login for ACPS. If this is true of your school, your school counselor will provide this information to you.
  • If you do not have access to ACPS, please inform your Career Preparedness instructor what career planning system your school uses. If you do not know, ask your facilitator and/or school counselor to assist you.

 

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • Establish a personal profile/account in Alabama Career Planning System (ACPS) or other approved online resource.
  • Identify personal interests and skills participation in assessments and match them to the desired educational and goals.
  • Utilize the online portfolio section of ACPS to store relevant information regarding educational and career planning.

Enduring Understandings

  • A rational decision-making process helps individuals set and implement personal, educational and career goals.
  • Identifying personal career interests will determine the necessary educational requirements, essential skills and training to pursue.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Career Preparedness standards: 3a, 3b, 4a, and 7

This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standards: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R10, W1, W2, W3, W4, W9, and W10

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