Using the Tech Connections Web site Career & Educational Planning Module: Explain the "WHY" of Career & Educational Planning Module.

• It is part of 4 year HS planning for post high school choices
• Goal is to graduate with a plan for "13^th year" and to be prepared for Culminating Project
• Show 4 P's Video for introduction to Pathways, Plan, Portfolio, Project

Unit 1 – Discover Yourself: Explain importance of knowing "WHO" you are to help choose a career.

• Research results conclude: "Workers who are the most healthy and productive are those who enjoy their jobs and work in careers that closely match their personal interests."
• Statistic: If you begin working at age 18 and retire early, you will have worked for 37 years….and approximately 74,000 hours. Don’t you want to spend this time doing something you enjoy?

• Hand out portfolio folders
• Explain that student information will be collected throughout HS career to document "WHO you are" and "WHAT you have achieved."
• Explain importance of portfolios for job applications, scholarships, college selection.
• Hand out blue ‘Career & Educational Planning Checklist’ and have students complete ‘Personal Info’ box at top of sheet using overhead to illustrate directions.
• File in Portfolio folder and set aside.

 Step 2 – Define Interest Inventories - "they are ONLY A GUIDE to assessing your personality & interests"

• Hand out 'PIP' and have students complete and record results on chart on the back sheet
• Using ECOS instruction sheet, have students complete 'ECOS Interest Assessment,' print results, and record results on PIP chart
• Have students compare results of the 2 profiles and circle the Pathway that matches their top score(s)
• Students record Pathway result on 'Career & Educational Planning Checklist'
• File all materials back into portfolio
• Share reminder:
  "Don't forget statistics prove that healthier, happier people are working in Careers that match their interests and passions. Taking advantage of interest inventories as you continue through high school will help you focus on career areas (and classes) that might be a good match for you."