Career · Lesson Plan
Requirements of Different Careers
Different careers call for very different training — some need only a high school diploma, others years of university and professional school. In this research lesson, students learn the basic education requirements for work, then investigate the training, time, and cost behind a list of real careers (from bank teller to doctor) and two careers of their own choosing. It connects classroom learning to the real path into a job.
For Teachers
Lesson at a glance
- Topic
- Career
- Grade Level
- Grades 6–10
- Resource Type
- Lesson + Worksheet
- Estimated Time
- 45–60 minutes
- Format
- Lesson + activity
- Materials
- Printable lesson, activity sheet, internet for research
What Students Learn
Learning objectives
- Explain that different careers require different training
- Identify the basic education requirement for most jobs
- Describe the types of education and training available
- Research the requirements of specific careers
- Compare the time and cost of preparing for different careers
Materials
What you’ll need
- Printed lesson and activity sheet (one per student)
- Internet or library access for career research
- Pencils
- Whiteboard
Key Terms
Vocabulary
- Career
- A chosen field of work pursued over time.
- Training
- The instruction needed to do a particular job.
- High school diploma
- The most basic credential most jobs require.
- Higher education
- College, university, or professional school beyond high school.
- Vocational training
- Hands-on instruction for a specific trade or skill.
- Credential
- A qualification, license, or degree that proves training.
For Teachers
Lesson plan
Estimated time: one 45–60 minute class period (plus optional research time).
Lesson sequence
- Discuss (10 min). What is the basic requirement for most jobs? Introduce the types of education and training and where to get them.
- Career table (15 min). Students review the sample career table (accountant, teller, chef, doctor, …) and fill in the missing training and time figures.
- Research two careers (15 min). Students pick two careers and complete a table for each: training, where to get it, how long, courses, and cost.
- Share (5 min). Students compare findings and discuss which paths surprised them.
Assessment
Assess the completed tables for accurate, well-researched training, time, and cost information.
Discussion
Discussion questions
- What is the most basic requirement for most jobs?
- What types of education and training are available beyond high school?
- Can job training ever be free? How?
- Which careers require the most training, and why?
- How does the cost of training compare across careers?
Printable Lesson & Activity
Requirements of Different Careers — Lesson & Activity
A printable career-research lesson: the basic requirements for work plus a research activity on the training, time, and cost of real careers.
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