Career Readiness

Curriculum Area: Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Level: 11th Grade (Grade 10)

Lesson Duration

Time: 60 minutes
Class Size: 15 students

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Understand the key expectations employers have for entry-level positions.
2. Identify soft and hard skills that are valuable to employers.
3. Reflect on personal skills and how they align with workplace expectations.
4. Role-play scenarios to practice demonstrating employability skills.

Materials Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector and screen
• Printed handouts of "Top 10 Skills Employers Seek"
• Sticky notes
• Digital device for each student (optional)

Lesson Outline

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Hook Activity:

   • Begin with an engaging question: "What do you think employers look for in a new hire?"
   • Allow students 2-3 minutes to write down their initial thoughts on sticky notes.
   • Invite a few students to share their ideas with the class. Post the sticky notes on the whiteboard.

2. Objective Overview:

   • Briefly outline what students will learn in today's lesson.

Direct Instruction (15 minutes)

1. Presentation:

   • Project a slide that lists key expectations employers have, such as:
     • Professionalism
     • Reliability and punctuality
     • Teamwork
     • Communication skills
     • Problem-solving abilities
     • Initiative and motivation
   • Discuss each expectation with real-world examples.

2. Soft and Hard Skills Discussion:

   • Hand out the "Top 10 Skills Employers Seek" document.
   • Explain the difference between soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork) and hard skills (e.g., technical abilities, data analysis).

Group Activity (20 minutes)

1. Skills Analysis:

   • Divide students into small groups of three.
   • Assign each group a different job description scenario, such as retail associate, junior IT technician, or social media coordinator.
   • Task groups with identifying which skills from the handout are most relevant for their assigned job and why.

2. Role-Play Exercise:

   • Each group prepares a short role-play where one student acts as an employer conducting a job interview, while another is the candidate demonstrating desirable skills.
   • Allow groups time to present their role-plays to the class.

Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)

1. Individual Reflection:

   • Ask students to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses in terms of employability skills. Have them write a short paragraph about how they can improve or leverage their skills.

2. Class Discussion:

   • Have students share their reflections either with a partner or the whole class.
   • Discuss any new insights or shifts in perception from the beginning of the lesson.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Summarize the key points of the lesson: understanding employer expectations, differentiating types of skills, and self-reflection on skill development.
• Encourage students to apply this understanding when engaging in future job searches or career-related activities.

Extension Activities (Optional)

• Career Portfolio Development: Students can begin creating a digital portfolio showcasing projects, skills, and experiences valuable to potential employers.
• Guest Speaker: Invite a local employer or HR professional to share insights on what they look for in candidates.

Assessment

• Participation: Evaluate students based on their engagement in discussions and role-play activities.
• Reflection Paragraph: Assess the written reflection for depth of thought and understanding of employability skills.