Career Research Project and Presentation

Career Research Paper & Presentation

Know:
A student who researches the nature of a job, its working conditions, employment facts, the education and training requirements, along with the future job potential and earnings will be wiser and more knowledgeable when determining a career path to choose.

Understand:
Doing the research for yourself will allow you to follow pathways of knowledge that can open more doors and introduce new areas that could become of interest.

Do:
You will complete the research and create an engaging presentation about that career.


Here’s and outline of what information needs to be included. Feel free to add more than what is asked for:

General Classification: (example: Engineer)

Specializations within the Given Field: (Example: Mechanical Engineer)

I. Nature of the work
1. Major duties
2. Technological influences
1. Advancements
2. Emerging specialties
3. Geographic Concerns/Requirements/Limits/Opportunities
4. Philosophical Issues

II. Working conditions
1. Typical hours worked
2. Workplace environment
3. Physical activities
4. Susceptibility to injury
5. Special equipment
6. Extent of travel required
7. Extent of “On Call” or out of office expectations/responsibilities

III. Employment facts
1. Estimated number of jobs
2. Key industries for jobs
3. Significant geographic distribution

IV. Education and training qualifications
A. Personal characteristics/Skills
1. Read, write, and speak well
2. Compute accurately
3. Think logically
4. Learn quickly
5. Get along with others
6. Demonstrate dependability
7. Computer/Web 2.0 Savvy

B. Preference by employers
1. High school
2. On-the-job training
3. Special Certification or License
4. Formal training (including apprenticeships)
1. Paid Apprenticeships
a. How Long?
b. What is the expected pay?
2. Volunteer Practicum
5. Armed Forces
6. College or postgraduate degrees
7. Previous work experience

C. Typical length of training
D. Advancement possibilities
1. Additional education required for promotion/advancement?

V. Future job outlook
A. Growth or decline potential
1. Number of job openings expected in coming years
B. Turnover rate
C. Susceptibility to layoffs
D. Is this career location specific or very transferable to other locations/professions
E. Local Opportunities
F. National Opportunities
G. Global Opportunities

VI. Earnings
A. Compensation
1. Starting Salary
2. Average Annual Earnings
3. Top Salaries in the career

B. Benefits
1. Medical
2. Insurance
3. Others of Monetary Significance ( Stocks, Partnership, etc.)

VII. Job Postings
A. Find two actual job postings for the career you are researching.


This form was adapted from the one found at:
http://alex.state.al.us/uploads/5680/Career%20Research%20Paper%20Outline.doc

Research Sites:
Below you will find a list of sites that will aid in your research. Please understand that this is not an exhaustive list, just a starting point.

Database Research Link:

AHS Website> Library>Research Databases> Click on the first link under “Do You Have Your Jefferson County Public Library Card? This will get you to the database listing. Some of them will require your Jeffco Lib. Card number. Others will list the login and password that you need to access the material. The databases are listed in alphabetical order. Here are a few of the ones that might be useful, depending on what your career topic is:
Careers – Internet Gale Databases Health Source
Learning Express Nursing & Allied Health
Online Magazines & Newspapers

Local Newspapers: Website> Library>Online Newspaper Access

Career Index & Information - http://www.wetfeet.com/Careers---Industries.aspx

Online Occupational Information - http://online.onetcenter.org/

Career Research Checklist and Good Informational Links Site:
http://www.quintcareers.com/career_research_checklist.html
Career Descriptions:
http://diplomaguide.com/article_directory/Job_Titles_and_Careers_List.html

Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov

Specifics for Your Research:

The Grading Rubric for Career Research Paper & Presentation clearly states the expectations for this project. Here are a few reminders:

Please create a presentation (using PowerPoint or some other electronic source) that highlights what you have learned about the career you researched.

The presentation needs to include the information from the outline included in this assignment.

Be sure to create a professional looking presentation.

The research you’ve done should be documented in MLA styles. Here are two sites that will help you learn how to cite your findings correctly.
http://www.thewritesource.com/mla.htm
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html.

(You will save your work in your network folder. You will use the SmartBoard to show your presentation.
Please be sure to hand in a copy of handout slides from your presentation. If you do not know how to do this, see me. I will show you how.)

Grading Rubric for Career Research Paper & Presentation (The information below represents an "A" presentation. To see the entire grading rubric see me in class.)


Content
Project contains detailed and pertinent information from all categories of the research project.

Preparedness
Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed. Presentation flows smoothly.

MLA Format
All information is cited properly using MLA format. MLA citation contains no errors.

Appearance
PowerPoint is well organized and is clear and easy to read.

Posture and Eye Contact
Shows a full understanding of the topic. Stands up straight, looks relaxed and confident. Establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.

Volume
Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation.

Speaks Clearly
Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, and mispronounces no words.