A web quest developed for High School Sophomores

Developed by Deborah R. Stout/Guidance Counselor

 
 
 
 

Introduction:

So you are a sophomore? Now what? Believe it or not, it is time to start thinking about the rest of your life!! This can be kind of scary, especially when you have NO idea who you are or what you want to be when you grow up.The first key to researching different careers is to find out what you are good at and what interests you the most. The following web quest will take you through several steps, one of which is a personality test. From there you will be able to identify and research some different careers which may be of interest to you. Take your time with this and explore!! The possibilities are endless………

Task:

The task of this webquest is to identify at least 3 careers that are of interest to you and do some research on them. Then you will make some short and long term goals for yourself.This task requires several steps, the first of which is finding out more about yourself. Once you know that, it is a lot easier to identify careers which would be appropriate for you. Let’s get started……..

Process:

Now let’s get started. By walking you through a step-by-step process, you will learn more about yourself and be able to identify your careers of interest. Make sure you have a disk with you so you can save this valuable information.

1)First you need to find out about yourself. By taking Holland’s self-directed search, you will answer questions relating to things you like and don’t like to do. The inventory will walk you through the various steps to come up with a 3 letter code which will tell you what kind of a person you are. Click on the link below for the Holland inventory.You will sign in using the user id that was assigned to you.

3. Using at least 2 of the recommended websites below, find out 3 things about each job you identified. 1) a description of the job (ie, responsibilities, type of work) 2) the post secondary education required and 3) approximate starting salary in this area. Make sure you document which sites you used.
 

• Virtual Career Net
• Hot Jobs
• Lycos/Careers
• Mapping Your Future
• Colleges and Career Center
• Career Links
• On Line Career Center
• Career Builder

4.  Now choose the one career out of your three which interests you the most. You are going to do even more research on this one career. If you were to choose this career, what is the one thing that you would most like to know (aside from the obvious - ie, how much money do you make?)  You are going to pose this question to the "ask an expert" website. Make sure you remember the question you asked. You will need to keep checking your email to see if you get an answer!

5.  Now you are going to write an essay for you English class about the career you chose. This will be a standard 5 paragraph essay and must include the following:

• detailed description of the career and why you chose it
• post-secondary education required
• starting salary
• 2 short term and long terms goals you will establish for yourself in order for you to become a professional in this field.

Evaluation:

	Poor      1	Fair 2	Good 3	Excellent 4
Student completed personality test and interest inventory and identified at least 3 personality traits.	Student did not entirely complete evaluations and therefore, came up with either inaccurate or inappropriate results.	Student took evaluations but with not much interest or effort. The results may or may not reflect who they are.	Student took time with evaluations and came up with at least 2 personality traits that they wish to pursue in their career search.	Student took time with evaluations and came up with 3 or more traits that they wish to pursue in their career search.
Student indentified and documented at least 3 careers that matched their interests.	Student did not identify any careers which could possibly match his/her traits.	Student identified one career which matched his/her traits.	Student identified 2 career which matched his/her traits.	Student identified 3 or more careers which matched his/her traits.
Student researched those careers through at least 2 different links or other websites to find out more information (ie, starting salary, job description, post secondary education required).	Student attempted to research one career but was not able to document any of the information asked for.	Student researched at least one career through one link and came up with very vague information.	Student researched all their career choices through 2 links and came up with very useful information.	Student researched all their career choices through 2 or more links and came up with a wealth of information.
Student created at least 2 short term and 2 long term goals for themselves in regards to their career choices and a plan of attack in how to reach these goals.	Student created only one short term and no long term goals. Student did not come up with a plan for reaching this goal.	Student created one short term and one long term goal. Students plan was very vague and not realistic.	Student created 2 short term and 2 long term goals. In addition, he/she came up with an appropriate plan in reaching these goals.	Student created more than 2 short term and long term goals. His/her plan of attack was very well thought out and included a lot of detail.

Conclusion:

Throughout the past few weeks, you have hopefully learned a lot about yourself and what career areas you may wish to pursue after high school. This does not mean that you cannot change your mind!! This is only the beginning of learning about yourself and the kinds of things you like to do. There are other interest inventories and personality tests you can take. There are also lots of other resources and programs to help you in your career search. Make sure you talk to your guidance counselor about your thoughts and concerns so that he/she can help you in this process!!

Credits:

Images courtesy of windows 98 clip art
Delaware Career Compass (Dept of Labor)
Web Quest Page