2013 Career Research Project

Junior Seminar Career Research Project
McCartney Advisory - due Tuesday, March 5
Saltz Advisory - due Tuesday, March 12

Part I. Career Clusters

1.    Complete the Career Clusters survey. Add up your scores and determine your top three Career Clusters. Write them in the first column.

2.    Within each Career Cluster, brainstorm several careers and occupations. You may use the packet or the internet to help you.

3.    Choose one career from each cluster to research. Record this career in the chart.  

Part II. Career Research

1.    Go to one of the following websites.

a.    http://www.bls.gov/ooh/ - the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Use the list on the left to find the Career Clusters or careers you chose to research.

b.    http://www.mynextmove.org/ - the American Job Center.

2.    For each of your chose careers, fill in the information on the chart. All of this information can be found on the websites above.

3.    When you have completed the chart, read about the daily responsibilities and work environments for each career. Answer the following questions for each career on a separate sheet of paper.

Questions:

1.    What are the main responsibilities of a professional in this career?

2.    With whom do professionals work in this field?

3.    Where do professionals work? What types of work environments do they experience?

4.    What is the typical work schedule for this field? What hours could you expect to work each day?

Part III. Road Map – How do you enter this career?

Develop a plan on how to become a professional in this field. Write this on a separate sheet of paper. Answer the following questions.

1.    What levels of education are necessary?

2.    What types of grades must you earn?

3.    What types of courses must you complete?

4.    What are the characteristics and qualities important to be successful in this field?

Part IV. Final Reports

1.    Write a report that summarizes the information you have found for each career. Put the information in your own words.

2.    Reflect on each career choice. Are you interested in this option? Why or why not? What aspects of this career do you think you would enjoy or dislike? Explain.

3.    Type the information as a formal report. Use Times New Roman font size 12. This will be graded and included in your portfolio.

4.    Email your final project to mccartneychs@gmail.com.

Grades

20 points: completed Career Clusters Quiz
30 points: participation and focus in class

50 points: research chart and notes
150 points: final, typed summaries of research.

Final copies will be graded based on accuracy of comprehensive summary, thoughtful reflection attention to detail, and writing conventions.

Personal Statement (College Essay)

Assignment: Write an essay of at least 500 words that responds to one of the prompts from the Common Application (listed below).

Saltz's Advisory: due Friday, 1/4

McCartney's Advisory: due Tuesday, 1/8

Requirements:

• Your final essay should be double-spaced in size 12 Times New Roman font.
• Include a header with your last name and the page number in the upper right hand corner of each page.
• Type the question to which you are responding at the top of the essay.
• Email you essay to mccartneychs@gmail.com as a .doc or .docx file. The name of the file should be your last name and personal statement. (Minaj Personal Statement.docx)
• You will be graded on format, writing conventions, focus, content and organization.

 Common Application Personal Essay Prompt (www.commonapp.org)

Personal Essay:  Please write an essay on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below, and attach it to your application before submission. Please indicate your topic by checking the appropriate box. This personal essay helps us become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself.

1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
3. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
4. Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
5. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
6. Topic of your choice.

 Tips and Ideas for Writing a College Essay

The personal essay is a “journey of thought” essay more than an essay with a thesis statement.  Using your anecdotes (small moments) will show the reader what kind of person you are.  The reader should be able to “hear” you thinking.

A.    Structure #1 for your essay could be:

·      Introduction/context/pondering on theme

·      Anecdote (your small moment)

·      Reflection/insight

B.    Structure #2 for your essay could be the same as the one above but you would add an additional anecdote that has a slight difference to it.

·      Introduction/context/pondering on theme

·      Anecdote

·      Small reflection or insight

·      Anecdote

·      Added insight and new reflection

C.   Structure #3 for the essay could be where you bring the reader right into the story then come out and reflect.

·      Anecdote

·      Reflection and insight

Be specific – Don’t just say you are hardworking, provide an example that demonstrates your effort.

Concentrate on your opening paragraph – The lead or opening paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the reader's attention or lose it. This paragraph becomes the framework for the rest of the statement.

Don't include some subjects – There are certain things best left out of personal statements. For example, references to experiences or accomplishments earlier than high school are generally not a good idea. Don't mention potentially controversial subjects (for example, controversial religious or political issues).

Write well and correctly – Be meticulous and fastidious. Type and proofread your essay very carefully. Many admissions officers say that good written skills and command of correct use of language are important to them as they read these statements. Express yourself clearly and concisely. Adhere to stated word limits.

Avoid clichés – A medical school applicant who writes that he is good at science and wants to help other people is not exactly expressing an original thought. Stay away from often-repeated or banal statements.