Career · Lesson Plan
Careers in Business
Business careers are everywhere — and far more varied than students expect. This reading lesson tours the major fields: accounting, marketing, finance, real estate, insurance, and consulting, explaining what each does and the kind of person who thrives in it. Students then brainstorm careers they might pursue and research one business profession in depth.
For Teachers
Lesson at a glance
- Topic
- Career
- Grade Level
- Grades 8–12
- Resource Type
- Lesson + Worksheet
- Estimated Time
- 45–60 minutes
- Format
- Lesson + activity
- Materials
- Printable lesson, activity sheet, whiteboard
What Students Learn
Learning objectives
- Define business and its main career fields
- Describe what accountants, marketers, and finance professionals do
- Recognize the variety of business careers
- Identify the skills and education different roles require
- Research a business career of interest
Materials
What you’ll need
- Printed lesson and activity (one per student)
- Internet or library access for career research
- Paper for the research write-up
- Pencils
Key Terms
Vocabulary
- Business
- Commercial activity involving buying and selling goods and services.
- Accounting
- Tracking a business’s income, assets, and financial performance.
- Marketing
- Planning the pricing, promotion, and distribution of products.
- Finance
- Helping people and firms protect and grow their money.
- Consulting
- Providing expert advice and solutions to clients.
- Real estate
- Careers in property: mortgage, brokerage, leasing, appraisal.
For Teachers
Lesson plan
Estimated time: one 45–60 minute class period (plus research time).
Lesson sequence
- Read (12 min). Read “Careers in Business” and discuss the major fields.
- Brainstorm (10 min). Students list three jobs they might want and how they’d get there.
- Research (18 min start). Each student picks a business career and researches the overview, skills, duties, income, and education.
- Write & share (later). Students write up their findings and whether the career would be fulfilling.
Assessment
Assess the research write-up for accurate job details and thoughtful reflection.
Discussion
Discussion questions
- What does it mean to work “in business”?
- What do accountants do day to day?
- How is marketing different from finance?
- Which business field sounds most interesting to you, and why?
- What education or skills would your chosen career require?
Printable Lesson & Activity
Careers in Business — Lesson & Activity
A printable reading lesson touring business careers (accounting, marketing, finance, consulting) with a research-a-career writing activity.
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