Career Ranking Challenge Lesson Plan Career Ranking Challenge
Lesson Plan
30 Minutes 9th Grade (Tier 1)
Why This Matters
Understanding what you like and don't like in a job is super important for finding a career that makes you happy and successful! This lesson helps students think about what matters most to them in a job, which is a big step towards planning their future.
Learning Objective
Students will identify and prioritize personal preferences for career characteristics by ranking previously researched jobs. Students will articulate reasons for their rankings, demonstrating an understanding of how job features align with individual interests.
Materials Needed
Whiteboard or projector
Markers or pens
Career Ranking Activity Sheet
Career Ranking Challenge Slides
Teacher Script: Career Ranking Challenge
Career Reference Sheet
Preparation (15 min)
Review the Lesson Plan and all linked materials to ensure familiarity.
Print copies of the Activity Sheet and Reference Sheet for each student.
Set up the projector/whiteboard to display the Slide Deck .
Ensure markers or pens are available for students.
Instructional Sequence
1
Warm-Up: Job Talk
5 min
Greet students and introduce the day's activity: ranking careers. Ask: "Think about the jobs you researched. What was one thing you learned about a job that you thought was really cool or really not cool?" Allow a few students to share thoughts briefly.
2
Introduction to Ranking
5 min
Display the Title Slide. Explain that they will rank jobs based on likes/dislikes. Introduce categories: Indoors/Outdoors, Team/Alone, Tools, Education, Pace, and Focus. Hand out the Activity Sheet and Reference Sheet . Briefly explain how to use the reference sheet (bold words help find features quickly).
3
Individual Ranking Activity
10 min
Students individually complete the Activity Sheet . Remind them to think about their own preferences . Circulate and prompt students: "Why did you choose this as your favorite?"
4
Share and Discuss
8 min
Bring the class back together. Ask students to share top/bottom characteristics. Facilitate discussion: "Did anyone rank a job high because of working outdoors? Why?" "Was it hard to decide?" Emphasize there are no wrong answers.
5
Cool-Down: My Top Pick
2 min
Students identify one job that matches their top characteristics. "Based on your ranking, which job sounds most interesting *right now*?" Collect sheets for review.
Career Ranking Challenge Slides Career Ranking Challenge
Ever wonder what makes a job feel right for you?
Finding Your Vibe
Your Job Preferences!
You've researched lots of cool jobs! Let's rank what you care about most.
Teacher Tip:
Think about what YOU like, not what you think is "best".
Creative Writers Animal Caretakers Bakers Cafeteria Cooks Teachers Real Estate Agents School Bus Drivers Maids & Housekeeping Dishwashers Baristas Artists Tire Repairers
Job Setting
Do you like to work inside, outside, or a mix of both?
Indoors
Librarian
Outdoors
Landscaper
Both
Teacher
Team Up or Fly Solo?
Who do you prefer to work with?
1
Mostly Alone
Artist, Creative Writer
2-4
Small Group
Baker, Tire Repairer
10+
Lots of People
Teacher, Cook
What Do You Use?
My Hands
Baking, Caring for Animals
Tools or Machines
Fixing Cars, Washing Dishes
Computer / Tablet
Writing, Planning Lessons
Vehicles
Driving a Bus or Car
School Smarts
High School Diploma
Dishwasher, Housekeeping, Barista
Special Training / Certificate
Bus Driver, Animal Caretaker
College Degree
Teacher, Creative Writer
Job Speed
How busy do you like to be at work?
Fast Paced
Always moving!
Calm & Steady
Take your time.
Job Heart: Main Focus
Helping People
Making Things
Fixing Problems
Serving Others
Need a Reminder?
Check your Career Reference Sheet!
Look for the BOLD WORDS to help you find the characteristics quickly!
Your Turn to Rank!
1
Circle the choice you like MOST (1 point)
2
Career Ranking Activity Sheet Career Ranking Activity Sheet
My Future
Name
Date
Instructions
Read each question. Choose what you like for your future job:
O Circle your FAVORITE (1 point)
X Cross Out your LEAST favorite (0 points)
— Leave it alone if it is "just okay" (0.5 points)
1
Where do you like to work?
Indoors Only (Office, Classroom, Kitchen)
Outdoors Only (Park, Farm, Construction)
Both Indoors and Outdoors
2
Who do you like to work with?
Mostly Alone (Quiet tasks by yourself)
With a Small Group (2-4 people)
With Lots of People (Customers, big teams)
3
What do you like to use at work?
My Hands (Cooking, Drawing, Animals)
Tools or Machines (Fixing, Washing Dishes)
Computer or Tablet (Writing, Planning)
Vehicles (Driving a bus or car)
4
How much school do you want?
High School Diploma
Special Training / Certificate
College Degree
5
What pace do you like?
Fast Paced and Busy
Calm and Steady
A little of both
6
The most important part?
Helping People
Making or Building Things
Fixing Problems
Selling or Serving
My Top Job Pick
Which job sounds most interesting to you right now?
Why does it sound interesting to you?
Career Ranking Challenge Teacher Script Teacher Script
Career Ranking Challenge
Total Time
30 Minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up: Job Talk (5 minutes)
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk more about jobs. You've all been doing some amazing research on different careers. Give yourselves a pat on the back for that!"
"To start, I want you to think about the jobs you researched. What was one thing you learned about a job that you thought was really cool or really not cool ? Maybe it was about working outside, or using a computer, or how busy the job was."
"Who would like to share one thing they found interesting? Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, just what you thought!"
Teacher Tip: Allow 2-3 students to share briefly. Keep it positive and encourage participation from all students, including those using assistive communication devices.
Step 2
Introduction to Ranking (5 minutes)
(Display Career Ranking Challenge Slides - Title Slide)
"Great sharing, everyone! Today, we're going to take what you learned about these jobs and figure out what you like most and least about different types of work. This will help you start thinking about what kind of job might be a good fit for you in the future."
"Our activity today is called the Career Ranking Challenge! We're going to use what you already know from your research to rank different parts of a job, based on what you prefer."
(Advance through categories on the slides: Indoors/Outdoors, Team/Alone, Tools, School, Speed, Focus)
(Hand out the Activity Sheet and Reference Sheet)
"Okay, everyone, you now have your Activity Sheet and a Reference Sheet . The reference sheet has all the jobs you researched. Look for the bolded words on the sheet to help you quickly find details for each job."
Step 3
Individual Activity (10 minutes)
"Alright, let's get started! You have about 10 minutes to complete your sheet. Really think about what you want in a job. I'll be walking around to help if you have any questions or get stuck. Remember to be honest with yourselves about what you like!"
Facilitation Notes
• Circulate and provide individual support.
• Ask: "What makes you like working outside?"
• Help students navigate the reference sheet bold keywords.
Watch For...
Career Reference Sheet Career Reference Sheet
Quick Facts for Your Research
Use this sheet to help you think about your choices! Look for the BOLD WORDS to help you find the information quickly.
Job Title Setting Team Main Focus Creative Writer Indoors Only Mostly Alone Making or BuildingAnimal Caretaker Both Small Group Helping PeopleBaker Indoors Only Small Group Making or BuildingCafeteria Cook Indoors Only Lots of People Helping PeopleTeacher Both Lots of People Helping PeopleReal Estate Agent Both Mostly Alone Selling or ServingSchool Bus Driver Outdoors Only Mostly Alone Helping PeopleMaids & Housekeeping Indoors Only Mostly Alone Fixing ProblemsDishwasher Indoors Only Small Group Fixing ProblemsBarista Indoors Only Lots of People Selling or ServingArtist Both Mostly Alone Making or BuildingTire Repairer Outdoors Only Small Group
