CAREER EXPLORATION IN MIDDLE SCHOOL?
"Ask kids what they want to be when they grow up and you'll hear doctors,
lawyers, firefighters, singers or professional ball players. Why do they pick
these occupations? Probably because kids see them on TV or the jobs seem
glamorous. How informed are these choices? Do most kids know how many years
of education a medical career requires or what a lawyer's job duties entail?
Do they realize that even the most successful athletes must move on to
different careers when their playing days end? Probably not.
How realistic are these choices? Do most kids have the talent, physical and
mental abilities and personalities to match those "chosen" occupations?
How likely will your child find work in these fields? Many occupations that
interest kids have realatively few openings. Only a tiny fraction of the
would-be professional singers, for instance, can suport themselves through
their art and fewer still become famous and earn superstar salaries. That's
why they need assistance with career exploration. That's why they need to
start in middle school.
Exploring careers forces teens to take responsibility for the choices they
make; after all, they will make them with eyes wide open. If they want to
have a certain lifestyle, they must pursue careers that will support them.
They can't become a nursing aide, for instance, without knowing that they are
destined to earn relatively low wages without further education and training.
The case is clear: a thorough career exploration will be best for your child.
And it's up to you to make it happen." (Taken from Career Investigation:
Parent's Guide p.19)
COIN is an online resource for students, parents and teachers.
All parents
need for access is their child's 6 digit school id number and the
site id -
TX15806. This account will follow them through HS and even
beyond. After
graduation students can still log in to explore occupations.
Check out the website to take interest assessments, look at
career clusters
and explore types of jobs - including salary and education. You
can even
watch short video clips of a person performing real job duties.
There is
even so much more to see: Academic planning, Skill development
through
journal prompts and weekly quizzes, Goal building, etc...
=================================
http://community.coin3.com
Reality Check is an interactive online tool that is being used
with grade 7
this year. Please see grade 7 page for dates of classroom
presentations.
There is no log-in or password necessary to access this free
state funded
resource.
http://www.cdr.state.tx.us/realitycheck
Life After High School is sponsored by Texas Scholars and
provides career
information for middle and high school students. Texas Scholars
is the
college readiness program discussed at the 7th grade Parent
Choice Sheet
Night.
http://texasscholars.lifeafterhighschool.org
The Princeton Review has a short Career Quiz that students can
take to
assess how their interests can match up to potential careers.
http://www.review.com/career/careerquizhome.cfm
March 2 Success program designs itself for individual students
based on
assessment. Includes video games and flash cards.
FREE ONLINE STANDARDIZED TEST PREP COURSE
GRADUATE PROFILE
A student who graduates from Round Rock ISD will be able to
demonstrate the
following characteristics:
Seeks Knowledge and Understanding
-Initiates own learning
-Has a foundation in core academic areas
-Knows of and appreciates the arts and humanities
-Uses effective learning techniques to acquire and apply knowledge
-Applies numerical reasoning strategies to problems
-Understands world issues and current events
-Takes intellectual risks in learning
-Exhibits enthusiasm for learning in life
Thinks Critically and Solves Problems
-Defines problems, hypothesizes, and becomes actively involved in
creative
problem solving
-Organizes and processes information productively
-Generates new ideas
-Analyzes and adapts to changing environments
-Makes decisions based on facts
-Prepares for college/career success
Uses Technology as a Tool
-Selects appropriate tools and procedures to accomplish tasks and
create
products
-Uses technology to access, analyze, organize, and process
information
-Consistently applies technical reasoning skills
Listens and Communicates Effectively
-Exchanges ideas and information in writing, verbally, and
visually
-Communicates effectively in a second language
Interacts Effectively with Others
-Develops and maintains positive relationships with others
-Works successfully in teams
-Leads by communicating ideas and motivating others
-Works collaboratively with persons of different beliefs,
interests and
backgrounds to build consensus
-Plans and acts as a systems thinker
-Knows and appreciates cultural and linguistic diversity
Exhibits Strong Personal Qualities
-Demonstrates initiative and perseverance
-Identifies personal goals
-Accepts responsibility for his/her own actions
-Maintains wellness and balance in life
-Recognizes and responds to societal needs
-Values and participates in the democratic process
-Has an interest in issues of social justice and equity
http://www.roundrockisd.org/home/index.asp?page=1806