Microsoft Word Working- careers, Jobs, and Life Lesson Plan

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Working: Careers, Jobs and Life Lesson Plan 
The following lesson plan and lecture discussion points can help you discuss with students the 
difference between a career and a job and how that might affect their decision when choosing a 
major. 
I. 
GOAL: To introduce career planning as a process 
II. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
Students will understand the intersection between work, jobs, careers, and life. Students 
will identify work values important to them. 
III. 
MATERIALS NEEDED: 
Index cards and masking tape or a dry erase marker for each student.
“Thoughts on Work and Career” handout 
“Work Values” handout 
IV. 
SUGGESTED APPROACH: 
Ask students to write their definition of work and career on index cards and post around 
room or have students write their definitions on a white board so everyone can see. 
Discuss student definitions. Distribute the “Thoughts on Work and Career” handout. 
Brief lecture in your own words covering: 
All humans have the same basic needs that must be met for survival. Beyond these needs for food, 
shelter, and affection, each person may want a number of things to be satisfied with his or her life. 
These needs represent a person’s values and are the basis for his or her goals. The things people work 
for are called their goals. 
People take action to attain their goals. Any action that is intended to produce something of benefit 
to society and the individual is called work. People meet many of their goals through work. A 
person may or may not be paid for work. Activities contribute something of value to the home, the 
family, and the community. 
Career consists of all a person’s work activities and extends throughout the person’s lifetime. Rather 
than being static, a career will change to reflect growth in the individual and changes in society. An 
individual can develop a satisfying career by clarifying his or her needs, values, and goals and then 
finding and choosing ways to meet or achieve them through work. 
By projecting work values into the future, students can establish career goals. Thus, career goals 
include a preferred occupation and other work activities, which represent these projected values. By 
continually relating one’s values and goals to the needs of society, one can learn to have more 
control over his or her career. This is called career development, and is a lifelong process. 
Your career will affect your life in many ways. Historically, the American Dream has been to earn 
money, to move up on one’s job, to like one’s work, and to rise to better living conditions. Most 
people want to be successful and satisfied with their. But success and satisfaction are not the same 
for everyone. You must begin to define your own personal dream – what will make you feel good 
about your lfie. 

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There’s a quote from Alice in Wonderland that says it well. Alice has been dropped in a crazy world 
and wanted out. At one point she came to the Cheshire Cat sitting on a toadstool in the middle of a 
series of roads leading in all directions. 
“Excuse me,” said Alice, “But how do I get out of here?” 
“That depends a great deal on where you want to end up,” said the cat. 
“I don’t care where I end up,” said Alice. “I just want out!” 
“Well,” said the cat, “if it doesn’t matter where you end up; it doesn’t matter which road 
you take.” 
It does matter to each of us where we end up in life. That’s what career planning is all about. 
Have students review, and adjust if they like, their definitions of work and career.