Module: Exploring Careers

Topic: Exploring High Tech Careers
Competencies:  Students will:

Demonstrate the ability to locate, understand, and use career information.

Use the Internet to access career and education planning information.

Demonstrate employability skills such as working on a team, problem-solving and organizational skills

Length: Two-Three Class Periods
Objective: Students will work in teams to research and organize a report on a Texoma based manufacturer that includes:

Identifying careers in manufacturing

Explaining the difference between the Education and Career pathways.

Identifying  Texoma based manufacturers and what they make.

Materials: Made in Texoma website : www.madeintexoma.org

The website includes:

Manufacturing Video

Profiles of Texoma Companies

Videos of Texoma employers

Description of Activity: 

1. Divide the class into teams of 3 (this can be adjusted to fit your class size).  Each team should have a team leader, someone to take notes.  Team members should each have an assignment:  research, developing the report, or the oral presentation.  The report should include:  

The number of manufacturers in the state of Texas.

An overview of a Texoma based manufacturing company (they choose).

The types of jobs available at their chosen company.

The average annual salary for a Texas manufacturing employee.

Education or Career pathways – what’s the difference?

2. Allow students to watch the Manufacturing Day video (10 minutes).  They can watch it on the website at http://www.workforcesolutionstexoma.com or you can send a request for a free DVD to: Kyle Royal

3. Have each team decide on a company for their project.  Each team must have a different company.  

4. Allow time for students to research, plan, and develop their oral presentation.  Some of the project can be assigned as homework.  

5. Each team will present their finished project – to inform the class about the manufacturing company they chose.

6. Ask each team to talk about their perceptions, before and after, regarding careers in manufacturing.

7. Discuss, with the class, their perceptions of manufacturing and how they have changed (if applicable).  

Evaluation:

Students will be evaluated on quality of the project, oral presentation, and demonstration of teamwork skills.

*Materials adapted from FLATE with permission.