Career Compass Facilitator Guide Career Compass
One-on-One Session Facilitator Guide
Total Duration: 60 Minutes
Target Level: Middle School (Modified)
Learning Objectives
Identify 3 personal interests and how they relate to jobs.
Distinguish between working with people, things, and data.
Explore 4 specific job roles and their primary tasks.
Identify 2 "soft skills" needed for workplace success.
Materials Needed
Discovery Slides
Interest Inventory Worksheet
Job Spotlight Cards
Pens/Highlighters
60-Minute Pacing Guide
0-10 min
Warm-up & Introduction
Break the ice. Ask: "If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?" Connect the answer to a potential "job" or "skill." Set the goal for today: Exploring what makes work meaningful.
10-25 min
Guided Discussion: Discovery Slides
Use the Discovery Slides. Focus on the "4 Big Areas." For each area, pause and ask: "Does this sound like something you would enjoy? Why or why not?"
25-40 min
Activity: Interest Inventory
Complete the worksheet together. Read options aloud. Use the "This or That" section to spark conversation about preferences (indoor vs. outdoor, quiet vs. busy).
40-55 min
Deep Dive: Job Spotlights
Select 2-3 Job Spotlight Cards based on the Inventory results. Discuss the specific tasks. Ask: "Which of these tasks feels like a strength for you? Which looks hard?"
55-60 min
Closing Reflection
Review one key takeaway. Fill out the "My Next Step" section of the worksheet. Congratulate the learner on their engagement.
Facilitator Tips for Success
Communication
Use "wait time." Some learners need 5-10 seconds to process a question before answering. Avoid finishing their sentences; let them find their words.
Engagement
Connect job tasks to chores or hobbies they already do (e.g., "Organizing this shelf is just like the Stock Clerk job we looked at!").
Career Discovery Slides Career Compass
Exploring Your Future Path
Why do people work?
To Earn Money
To pay for food, a home, and things we enjoy.
To Help Others
Making the community a better place for everyone.
To Use Talents
Doing things we are good at and feel proud of.
The 4 Big Areas of Work
People
Helping, talking, and teaching.
Things
Building, fixing, and moving.
Data
Organizing, typing, and counting.
Nature
Plants, animals, and outdoors.
Skills for Every Job
Being On Time
Being Kind
Working Safely
Taking Care of Tools
Your Turn!
Let's find out what kind of work makes YOU excited.
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."
Career Interest Inventory Worksheet My Career Interests
Name:
Date:
Follow along with your coach. Check the boxes that describe you!
Which do you like more?
Working Indoors
OR
Working Outdoors
Working Alone
OR
Working in a Group
Being Active
OR
Sitting at a Desk
What are your favorites?
Organizing things
Helping people
Fixing things
Working with animals
Using a computer
Gardening / Plants
Cooking / Food
Cleaning / Tidying
My Reflection
One job that sounds interesting today:
What is one skill you are already good at?
Job Spotlight Cards Resource Job Spotlight Cards
Animal Caretaker
Daily Tasks
Feeding and giving water to animals.
Cleaning cages or kennels.
Brushing fur and walking dogs.
Top Skill Needed
Gentleness and Patience
Grocery Clerk
Daily Tasks
Putting items on shelves neatly.
Helping customers find items.
Bagging groceries for people.
Top Skill Needed
Being Friendly
Office Assistant
Daily Tasks
Sorting mail and filing papers.
Making copies and scanning.
Shredding old papers.
Top Skill Needed
Staying Organized
Grounds Crew
Daily Tasks
Watering flowers and plants.
Raking leaves and picking up trash.
Cleaning outdoor sidewalks.
Top Skill Needed
Following Directions
Career Compass Facilitator Guide Expanded Career Compass
Deep-Dive Facilitator Guide
Total Duration: 90 Minutes
Target Level: Middle School (Modified)
Learning Objectives
Evaluate personal interests through structured inquiry.
Categorize tasks into the 4 Big Areas of Work.
Analyze 8 specific job roles for fit and interest.
Problem-solve common workplace social scenarios.
Materials Needed
Discovery Slides (Expanded)
Interest Inventory (2 Pages)
Job Spotlight Cards (8 Total)
Scenario Cards (New)
90-Minute Detailed Pacing
0-15 min
Icebreaker & Values Inquiry
Focus on connecting personal happiness to productivity.
Questions to Ask:
"What is something you do that makes you feel proud?"
"Do you like being busy with your hands, or do you like thinking quietly?"
"If you had $100, would you save it, spend it, or give it away? Why?"
15-35 min
The Big 4: Deep Discussion
Use the Slides. Go slow. Use real-world examples from the room.
Questions to Ask:
"Look at this chair. Was it made by a 'People' person or a 'Things' person?"
"Do you think working with animals (Nature) is messy or fun? Or both?"
"What is harder for you: talking to a stranger or following a long list of rules?"
35-55 min
Inventory & Perfect Day Mapping
Complete both pages of the worksheet. Help them visualize.
Questions to Ask:
"When you wake up for work, do you want the sun to be out or do you want to be cozy inside?"
"Would you rather wear a uniform or your own clothes?"
"Tell me about a time you helped someone. How did that feel?"
55-75 min
Job Spotlight & Role Play
Review 4 cards that match their interests. Pretend to do one task.
Questions to Ask:
"If you were the Grocery Clerk, what would you say to a customer who can't find the bread?"
"Which of these jobs has the most 'moving around'?"
"What is one thing about this job that might be frustrating?"
75-90 min
Scenario Cards & Goal Setting
Use the Scenario Cards to test 'Soft Skills'. End with one concrete goal.
Career Discovery Slides Expanded Career Compass
Exploring Your Future Path
Why Work?
Talk About It
"Work gives us a reason to get out of bed."
Questions for You:
What is one thing you bought with your own money that you love?
Who is someone you know who works? What do they do?
The 4 Big Areas
People
Talking, Helping, Teaching
Things
Building, Moving, Fixing
Data
Counting, Typing, Sorting
Nature
Plants, Animals, Outdoors
Think About It...
"If you had to pick one area to work in all day, which one would feel the most like **FUN**?"
People
Things
Data
Nature
Workplace Manners
Being On Time
Being Kind
Phone Stays Away
Question:
"Why is it important to be kind to the people you work with?"
Great Job!
You are one step closer to finding a job that fits you perfectly.
Next Step:
Let's look at some Job Cards!
Career Interest Inventory Expanded Worksheet My Career Path: Page 1
Personal Discovery
Name:
Work Preferences
Inside / AC
OR
Outside / Fresh Air
Quiet / Calm
OR
Busy / Noisy
Same Tasks Every Day
OR
New Tasks Every Day
My Strengths
Circle the things you are good at!
Being Early Smiling / Kind Lifting Heavy Things Organizing Books Using a Keyboard Focusing Following a List
My Career Path: Page 2
Let's dream about your perfect workday.
Picture Your Work
Draw yourself at a job you might like:
My Next Step
What is the most exciting thing you learned today?
Who can help you find more information about jobs?
Job Spotlight Cards Expanded Resource Job Spotlight Cards
Animal Caretaker
Daily Tasks
Feeding animals.
Cleaning cages.
Walking dogs.
Big Skill
Gentleness
Grocery Clerk
Daily Tasks
Filling shelves.
Helping customers.
Bagging food.
Big Skill
Friendliness
Library Assistant
Daily Tasks
Sorting books by letter.
Checking books back in.
Keeping shelves tidy.
Big Skill
Focusing
Housekeeper
Daily Tasks
Making beds in hotels.
Cleaning bathrooms.
Dusting furniture.
Big Skill
Eye for Detail
Mailroom Clerk
Daily Tasks
Sorting mail by name.
Delivering packages.
Stamping envelopes.
Big Skill
Reliability
Kitchen Helper
Daily Tasks
Washing dishes.
Peeling vegetables.
Clearing tables.
Big Skill
Hard Working
Groundskeeper
Daily Tasks
Raking leaves.
Watering plants.
Picking up trash.
Big Skill
Safe Working
Data Entry Clerk
Daily Tasks
Typing info into computer.
Checking lists for errors.
Scanning documents.
Big Skill
Accuracy
Workplace Scenario Cards Resource Workplace Scenario Cards
"What would you do if...?" (Set 1)
The Alarm Clock
Your alarm clock didn't go off, and you are going to be 15 minutes late for work.
Question: What is the first thing you should do?
The Lost Customer
You are working at the store and a customer looks confused. They can't find the milk.
Question: What can you say to help them?
The Grumpy Boss
Your boss gives you a task, but they seem to be in a bad mood today. They are speaking quickly.
Question: How do you stay calm and professional?
The Broken Tool
You are using a vacuum cleaner at work, and it suddenly stops making noise and won't turn on.
Question: Who do you tell? Should you try to fix it yourself?
Workplace Scenario Cards
"What would you do if...?" (Set 2)
The Sticky Spill
You see a puddle of sticky juice on the floor where people walk. Someone could slip!
Question: What should you do to keep everyone safe?
The Chatty Coworker
You are trying to finish your work, but a coworker keeps talking to you about their weekend.
Question: How can you politely say you need to get back to work?
Change of Plans
You expected to clean the windows today, but your boss asks you to sort mail instead.
Question: How do you handle a change in your schedule?
The Uniform Check
You realized you forgot to wear your work t-shirt today. You are wearing a plain green one instead.
Question: Should you hide it or tell your supervisor right away?
Facilitator Hint:
Encourage the learner to role-play the answers. For the "Sticky Spill," discuss using a "Caution" sign or standing near it while someone else gets a mop.
