Exploring Future Pathways

Curriculum Links

Subject Area: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) – Work Studies
Year Level: Year 9
Australian Curriculum Content Descriptor:

• ACWSCL002: Investigate how diverse factors influence individual and collective work satisfaction, including career pathways.
• ACWSCL007: Identify emerging work opportunities and discuss the skills and attributes required.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this 60-minute lesson, students will:

1. Understand the evolving nature of jobs and career pathways in Australia.
2. Explore the concept of transferable skills and their relevance to future employment.
3. Identify and reflect on their own skills, interests, and aspirations.
4. Gain an introduction to industries and trends within the Australian job market in the 21st century.

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Resources and Materials

• Class board (whiteboard/smartboard)
• Post-it notes or small notecards (one per student)
• “Jobs of the Future” printouts: a short guide to emerging Australian job sectors (e.g., renewable energy, health tech, digital innovation).
• A timer or stopwatch
• Access to Career Bullseye Charts (adapted for Australian job sectors)** (Prepare a visual copy to project or print)

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up Activity (5 Minutes)

“Dream Job Brainstorm”
Ask students to imagine their dream job and write it on a post-it note or notecard. They do not need to include their name.

• Collect the notes and randomly read a few aloud.
• Generate discussion:
  • Why does this job appeal to you?
  • What skills or attributes do you think are needed for this role?

Write a few examples of key skills on the board (e.g., communication, adaptability, problem-solving).

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2. Introduction to Careers (10 Minutes)

Discussion: Why Careers Are Changing

• Deliver a mini-lecture introducing the idea that career paths are no longer linear. Highlight key Australian examples, such as:
  • The rise of renewable energy jobs (e.g., wind turbine technicians).
  • Growth of the digital and technology sector (e.g., software developers, data scientists).
  • The importance of the creative economy (e.g., content creators, digital marketing).

Engage students through questions:

• "What industries do you think are growing in Australia right now?"
• "How might technology influence jobs in the next 10 years?"

Show the Career Bullseye Charts on the board or distribute copies. Point out how skills align with job clusters (e.g., Health, IT, Trades).

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3. Active Exploration (20 Minutes)

Activity 1: Transferable Skills Mapping (10 Minutes)

1. Hand out blank A4 paper to each student. Have them draw a large "Skill Spider" with their name in the centre.
2. Around the centre, students write at least 6 personal skills or attributes they feel they possess (e.g., “good listener,” “team player,” “detail-oriented”).
3. Next to each attribute, students jot down a possible job/career it might suit. Example: "Team player" → Event Coordinator.
4. Pair students to discuss their career ideas with a partner.

Activity 2: Industry Snapshot Stations (10 Minutes)

• Set up five “Industry Snapshots” stations around the classroom. Each station contains a brief description of an emerging industry in Australia (e.g., renewable energy, healthcare, AI).
• Assign students to groups of 5-6 and rotate them through the stations. At each station:
  • Students read about the industry.
  • Identify one skill they have that could connect to a role in that industry.
  • Write a brief response in their notebook.

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4. Reflection and Sharing (15 Minutes)

1. Future Pathways Chart
   On the board, draw a Venn diagram with three overlapping circles:

   • Passions (things you love to do)
   • Skills (abilities or qualities you possess)
   • Needs (what the world/job market needs)

   Discuss with students how the intersection of these three areas can guide future career choices. Prompt them to share one insight from the activity stations.

2. Quick Write Activity (5 minutes):
   Ask students to complete the sentence:

   • “A career that interests me is _________ because _________.”
   • Collect responses to help shape future lessons or one-on-one guidance.

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5. Wrap-Up and Homework (10 Minutes)

Debrief: Summarise the key points from the lesson:

• The Australian job market is evolving due to technology and globalisation.
• Transferable skills are critical for adaptability.
• Personal passions and skills can guide your career exploration.

Homework:

• Research one career in an industry that interests you (use Australia-specific resources like JobOutlook or MyFuture).
• Write a paragraph explaining why this career is appealing and what steps you might take to pursue it.

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Assessment

• Informal: Observe student participation in group discussions and industry stations.
• Written Reflection: Evaluate the "Quick Write" activity and homework research for thoughtful insights and application of concepts.

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Teacher Reflection

Post-lesson, reflect on:

• Were students actively engaged in the activities and discussions?
• Did students show an understanding of transferable skills and their relevance to modern careers?
• What additional support might they need to explore job opportunities in future lessons?