Course Profile Technological Design, Grade
10, Open, Catholic
Unit 2: Career Exploration Study
Time: 5 hours
Students begin to explore career possibilities in the area of technological design. Using the design company formed in Unit 1, Activity 1, students determine the needs of their company based on the prototypes and models built. They search for employees through various media. In their search they ascertain aspects such as: level of education; salary; experience and possible alternatives in the fields. As part of the activity students are asked to assume a role and reply to other postings. This activity can be introduced as an independent study with class time centering around the development of computer accessing and researching skills as well as assisting with networking possibilities with guidance and apprenticeship programs.
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Activity 1 |
Career Exploration Study |
300 minutes |
Time: 300 minutes
Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
CGE2b - reads, understands, and uses written materials effectively;
CGE2c – presents information and ideas clearly and honestly and with sensitivity to others;
CGE2e - uses and integrates the Catholic faith tradition, in the critical analysis of the arts, media, technology, and information systems to enhance the quality of life;
CGE4a – demonstrates a confident and positive sense of self and respect for the dignity and welfare of others;
CGE4b - demonstrates flexibility and adaptability;
CGE4f – applies effective communication, decision-making, and problem solving, time, and resource management skills.
Strand(s): Theory and Foundation, Skills and Processes, Impact and Consequences
Overall Expectations
TFV.01 – identify user needs related to specified design projects;
SPV.05 - generate research reports and presentation materials for review;
ICV.03 – demonstrate understanding of the strategies used by advertisers to market products or services;
ICV.05 - identify design-related careers.
Specific Expectations
TF1.02 – describe the process of design and manufacturing and apply their knowledge to the design of projects;
TF1.05 - communicate ideas using a variety of methods;
IC1.07 - identify career opportunities and the skills and education needed to achieve career goals.
· Review the components discussed in Unit 1 Activity 1 regarding design company.
· Provide examples from newspapers and web sites of advertisements for occupations.
· Arrange class visit to a local college or union with an apprenticeship program.
· Connect with school’s co-op education department regarding connections to Youth Apprenticeship Program (YAP).
· Review steps involved in a job search: resumes, applications, and classified searches.
· Provide copies (one for each student) of Appendix 2.1 – Technology Occupation Search.
· Set up a word-processing program with the Resume Template (Appendix 2.2) for students.
Students have created a design company (Unit 1, Activity 1). Within the company they design and build models or prototypes of various projects. The students understand the steps involved in a search of newspaper and Internet resources.
Research
Teachers facilitate discussion around the challenge of the design company expanding and management discovering that it is necessary to hire skilled workers to fill various positions within the company. Students are asked to focus on their company as a whole but for the purpose of this exercise to concentrate on one model or prototype that has been built or they are in the process of building. Through a search of diverse resources students determine the human resources needs of their company. Within the search, students pay particular attention to level of education and years of experience as these factors directly affect the salary and benefits to be paid to the applicant.
Advertising the Position
After the personnel need has been established, students begin a search for an acceptable applicant. The search could be a classified advertisement in a newspaper, trade magazine, or web site or a visit with local college or university graduating classes. The advertisements must be clear and specific outlining the job description, salary expected, location and necessary skills and education for the occupation. The teacher may want to organize a job fair day where students from other classes peruse the various company displays to discuss the available positions.
Applying for the Position
A natural extension to this activity is to have the students assume different education and skill levels in order to apply for the positions advertised. The students take the opportunity of reading classified ads (provided by the students in the previous step) and determining the education and skill level necessary to qualify for the position. In this way students need to research two occupations. They provide a resume to the prospective employer.
Presentation
At the end of this activity the students should be able to provide examples of their research in diverse forms. They provide a classified advertisement based on the position they need filled in their own design company. They also provide an application or resume based on the position they are hoping to fill. A template for a resume is provided in Appendix 2.2. Both sets of documents demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the education and skill level necessary to fulfill the requirements of the position in question.
· Consistent anecdotal notes and feedback from daily observations of group work and journal or log entries.
· Summative assessment based on the documents mentioned above, especially the classified advertisement.
· Observation and anecdotal notes based on the interviews or job fair activities.
· Self and/or peer evaluation of the research activity.
· Completion of Appendix 2.1 – Technology Occupation Search.
· Heterogeneous groupings. Provide opportunities for peer assistance and tutoring.
· Assistance with the occupation search from teacher or peer.
· Allow additional time if needed.
The school Guidance office.
Web Sites
“Mr G’s Applied Technology Site”
http://www.coaltyee.nisa.com/at/at.htm
Canada’s School Net
http://www.schoolnet.ca
Career Paths Online
http://www.careerpathsonline.com/
Branium
http://www.brainium.com/
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1. List three possible positions to be filled in your design company. a) b) c) |
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2. Choose one example mentioned above and describe the responsibilities of the job. |
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3. What are the educational requirements for this position? Describe the various methods to become educated for this occupation. |
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4. What is the starting salary for a person with zero years experience in this occupation? Five years experience? |
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5. When you begin your search for the qualified person, what methods of advertisement will you use? Explain your choices. |
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6. List the sources you used for your search: |
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Student Resume of PERSONAL DATA Address: Tel: JOB OBJECTIVE EDUCATION RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES/VOLUNTEER EFFORTS REFERENCES |