Interest Mapping Teacher Guide Interest Mapping
Teacher Facilitation Guide
LESSON 1
Duration
60 Minutes
Objective
Identify personal interests and align them with career clusters.
Materials
Compass Slides, Interest Inventory Sheet, Colored Pencils.
Lesson Procedure
01
The Hook (5-10 mins)
Ask students the "Legos, Bookshelves, or Friends" question from the slides. Use this to explain that what we enjoy doing in our free time often hints at what we might enjoy doing for work.
02
Interest Inventory (20 mins)
Distribute the Career Cluster Map . Guide students through each category. For Special Education students, read the descriptors aloud and encourage them to think of specific hobbies that match the icons.
"R" (Realistic) = Builders/Doers
"I" (Investigative) = Thinkers/Researchers
"A" (Artistic) = Creators
"S" (Social) = Helpers
"E" (Enterprising) = Persuaders
"C" (Conventional) = Organizers
03
The 16 Clusters (20 mins)
Using the slides, introduce the 16 Career Clusters. Have students circle 2-3 clusters on their worksheet that match their highest personality traits from the inventory.
04
Reflection (10 mins)
Exit Ticket: Students write down one job they've heard of that falls into their top cluster.
Differentiation Tips
Visual Support
Use the icons on the worksheet as the primary reference point. If a student struggles with reading, ask: "Which picture looks most like you?"
Pacing
Focus on identifying 1-2 strengths rather than completing the entire 16-cluster list if students become overwhelmed.
Career Compass Slides Career Compass
Lesson 1: Mapping Interests
Which would you pick?
Building with Legos or Tools
Helping a friend with a problem
Organizing a bookshelf or game
What are Career Clusters?
Think of them as neighborhoods for jobs.
"People in the same neighborhood do different jobs, but they often like the same kinds of things."
Who are you?
Doer
Loves working with hands & tools
Thinker
Loves solving puzzles & research
Creator
Loves art, music, and being original
Helper
Loves teaching and supporting others
Ready to Map?
Pick up your Career Cluster Map .
Career Cluster Map Worksheet Name
Date
My Career Blueprint
Part 1: Discovering My Personality Interests
1
The Quick Sort
Read the descriptions below. Check the boxes for the things you enjoy doing!
The Doer
I like using tools, fixing things, being outside, and working with my hands.
The Thinker
I like puzzles, science, figuring out how things work, and doing research.
The Creator
I like music, drawing, writing stories, and thinking of new ideas.
The Helper
I like teaching others, talking through problems, and making people happy.
2
The Career Neighborhood
Based on your checks above, which Career Cluster sounds most interesting to you right now? Circle up to two.
Agriculture & Food
Arts & Tech
Business & Admin
Education
Health Science
Hospitality
Human Services
Information Tech
Public Safety
Manufacturing
Marketing
STEM
My Top Interest Right Now Is:
Skill Set Slides Skill Set Showdown
Lesson 2: Hard vs. Soft Skills
Who would you hire?
Chef Alex
Great at cooking, but shouts at everyone and is always late.
Chef Sam
Still learning to cook, but works hard, is kind, and arrives early.
Hard Skills
"The Technical Stuff"
These are specific abilities you learn to do. They are usually easy to measure or see.
Typing
Bilingual
TOOLS
Soft Skills
"The People Stuff"
These are personality traits. They are about how you work and how you treat others.
Attitude
On Time
PEOPLE
Skills Sort!
Grab your sorting sheet.
Skill Sort Worksheet Skill Sort Challenge
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
Employers want workers with both types of skills!
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
Skill Bank: Write these in the boxes above!
Teamwork
Using a Cash Register
Following Directions
Coding a Computer
Cooking Food
Being on Time
Positive Attitude
Driving a Truck
Problem Solving
Reflect
What is one skill you are already good at? Is it a Hard or Soft skill?
Skills Mastery Teacher Guide Skills Mastery
Teacher Facilitation Guide
LESSON 2
The Main Idea
Many entry-level jobs (like retail or food service) will teach hard skills on the job. Employers specifically look for 8th graders and young adults who already possess soft skills like reliability and a positive attitude.
Discussion Scenarios
Use these "What would you do?" prompts to deepen the conversation after the slides.
Scenario A: The Late Genius
"Marcus is the best computer programmer in the office. He can fix any bug. But, he misses half the meetings and never answers emails. How does this affect his team?"
— Focus: Teamwork & Communication
Scenario B: The Helpful Trainee
"Sarah is starting her first day as a mechanic. She doesn't know how to change oil yet, but she brings a notebook, asks great questions, and cleans up her workstation without being asked. Will she be successful?"
— Focus: Initiative & Learning
Vocabulary Check
Reliability: Can people count on you?Technical: Having to do with machines or complex methods.Interpersonal: How you relate to other people.
Assessment Hint
When students are sorting, look for the distinction that "Hard Skills" usually result in a finished product (a cake, a fixed car) while "Soft Skills" result in a feeling (respect, trust).
Profile Pro Slides Profile Pros
Lesson 3: Researching Job Profiles
Mystery Job Challenge
What am I?
I taste dog food to make sure it's high quality.
I write reports on the flavor and smell.
I earn about $40,000 per year.
Answer: Pet Food Taster!
How do we find the facts?
O*NET Online
The giant database of every job in America. It tells us everything from salary to what tools you need.
Career OneStop
Great for watching videos of people actually doing the job so you can see it in action.
The Data Hunt
Salary
How much do they pay?
Education
What school is needed?
Tasks
What do they do daily?
Outlook
Are there lots of openings?
Search Time!
Open your Job Blueprint Organizer . Choose one career from your interest map and let's find the facts!
Job Blueprint Organizer Name
Job Researching
Job Blueprint
Detailed Career Profile Research
Official Job Title
(Write the name of the career here...)
Salary (Pay)
How much do they make in a year?
Education Required
Diploma, Certificate, or College Degree?
Job Outlook
Will there be more jobs like this in the future? (Growing or Slow?)
Daily Tasks
List three things this person does every day:
Why do you think YOU would be good at this job?
Job Blueprint Teacher Resource Job Blueprinting
Teacher Resource Guide
LESSON 3
O*NET Navigation
For SPED students, the full O*NET can be overwhelming. Use the "My Next Move" version for a cleaner interface.
mynextmove.org
1. Use the "Search careers with key words" box.
2. Look for the Bright Outlook sun icon for growth.
3. "On the Job" section = Daily Tasks.
Career OneStop Videos
Highly recommended for visual learners. These 90-second videos show the actual work environment.
careeronestop.org/videos
Search for the job title. Have students describe what they see the person doing to help fill out the "Tasks" section.
Modifications for Success
Reading Level:
Allow students to use "Speech to Text" or "Read Aloud" browser extensions. Many job profiles use high-level vocabulary (e.g., "Monitor environmental conditions"). Simplify these for students during the task.
Financial Literacy:
When looking at salary, help students understand the difference between hourly and yearly pay. $40,000/year sounds like a lot until they realize it's roughly $20/hour.
Sample Job: Auto Mechanic
Salary
$47,000 / year
Education
Post-secondary Certificate
Tasks
Repair brakes, change oil, test engines
Boss Talk Slides Boss Talk
Lesson 4: Professional Communication
Which one gets the job?
Yo Boss!
hey i saw ur job post. can i work there? lol i need cash. thx. ✌️🔥
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am interested in the position. I am a hardworking student with great teamwork skills. I look forward to hearing from you.
Professional Etiquette
It's not just what you say, it's how you say it.
Eye Contact
Good Posture
Clear Greeting
Email Blueprint
Must Haves
Subject
Inquiry: Job Opportunity
Greeting
Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
Body
I am writing to...
Closing
Sincerely, [My Name]
Time to Write!
Grab your "Email Makeover" worksheet.
Email Makeover Worksheet Email Makeover
Professional Communication Lab
The "Bad" Email
Fix Me!
Subject: hey!
yo hiring manager,
i wanna work at the burger shop lol. im pretty good at stuff. call me at 555-0199. thx! 🍔😎
peace,
kyle
No professional greeting
Used slang and emojis
Missing capital letters
Vague subject line
The Professional Rewrite
Rewrite the email above using the professional structure we learned in class.
Subject:
Application: Crew Member Position
Greeting:
Body:
Closing:
Signature:
Boss Talk Teacher Guide Professional Communication
Teacher Facilitation Guide
LESSON 4
Workshop: Professional Greetings
Have students stand in two lines facing each other. Practice the following "Greeting Trifecta":
Eye Contact
Look at the space between the eyebrows if direct eye contact is hard.
The Smile
A small, friendly closed-mouth smile shows you are ready to work.
Clear Voice
"Hello, my name is ______. It is nice to meet you."
Social Skills Rubric
Skill Developing Proficient Greeting No greeting or too quiet to hear. States name clearly and uses a friendly tone. Eye Contact Looks at feet or away from the person. Maintains consistent eye contact during interaction. Email Structure Missing 2+ parts (subject, closing, etc.) Includes all 5 essential parts of a professional email.
Accessibility Note
For students with sensory sensitivities, a "Professional Wave" or "Head Nod" can be an appropriate alternative to a handshake. Ensure the emphasis is on the interaction and respect rather than the specific physical touch.
Showcase Ready Slides Showcase Ready
Lesson 5: Presentation Skills
The Career Fair
Today, you are the expert! You will teach us about your chosen career neighborhood.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Now you can answer that with facts!
Project To-Do List
Finish your Brochure
Add 3 key facts
Practice your talk
3 Steps to a Great Pitch
Volume
Speak loud enough for the back of the room to hear you.
Pace
Take deep breaths. Don't rush through your facts.
Engagement
Look at your classmates while you speak.
The Expo
We will set up the room like a real Career Fair. Half the class will present, the other half will "visit" the booths. Then we swap!
The Visitor Rule
When you visit a booth, you must ask 1 question:
"What is the most interesting thing you learned about this job?"
SHOWTIME
Believe in your blueprint.
My Future Brochure Template My Future Blueprint
Career Explorer Project
Draw your job
Career Choice
Created By
Class of 2030
The Neighborhood
Which Career Cluster does this job belong to? Why?
Fast Facts
Average Pay
Schooling
My Top Skills
What soft skills do I have that will help me here?
One Step I'll Take: Showcase Checklist Rubric Showcase Checklist
Teacher Resource & Rubric
LESSON 5
Event Logistics
Room Setup
Arrange desks into "booths" around the perimeter of the room. Each student needs enough space for their brochure and any props (optional).
Timing
• 10m: Setup & Final Review
• 15m: Group A Presents / Group B Visits
• 5m: Transition / Swap
• 15m: Group B Presents / Group A Visits
• 10m: Wrap Up & Reflection
Mastery Rubric
Criteria Attempting Target Content Accuracy 1-2 facts missing or inaccurate. Salary, education, and tasks are all clearly defined. Visual Appeal Brochure is incomplete or hard to read. Neat handwriting, used color/drawings to support text. Oral Delivery Struggled to explain the career choice. Clearly stated why they chose the job and what they like. Peer Engagement Did not interact with visitors. Answered visitor questions politely and professionally.
Post-Showcase Reflection
Gather students in a circle and ask:
"Did anyone find a new job today that they hadn't heard of before?"
"What was the hardest part about presenting your facts?"
"What is one thing you can do THIS YEAR to get ready for your dream job?"
