Interest Discovery Slides Career Compass
Navigating Your Professional Future
Today's Objectives
1
Understand the importance of self-discovery in career planning.
2
Explore the 6 Holland Code personality types (RIASEC).
3
Identify your top interests and matching career clusters.
Why start now?
Satisfaction
People who align their work with their interests are 3x more likely to be happy in their jobs.
Success
Alignment leads to higher productivity, faster promotions, and better pay.
Longevity
Matching your values helps prevent "burnout" and career fatigue.
Clarity
Knowing your "Why" makes education and training decisions easier.
The Holland Code
Also known as RIASEC
R
Realistic
I
Investigative
A
Artistic
S
Social
E
Enterprising
C
Conventional
Most people are a combination of 2 or 3 types. These codes help match your personality to work environments.
Realistic
"The Doers"
Traits
• Practical, athletic, mechanical
• Enjoys working with tools, animals, or nature
• Prefers working outdoors or in a shop
Career Examples
Electrician, Engineer, Pilot, Veterinarian, Forest Ranger, Carpenter
Investigative
"The Thinkers"
Traits
• Curious, analytical, observant
• Enjoys solving math or science puzzles
• Prefers working independently to think
Career Examples
Scientist, Surgeon, Economist, Software Developer, Architect, Detective
Artistic
"The Creators"
Traits
• Creative, expressive, original
• Enjoys music, drama, art, or writing
• Prefers unstructured work environments
Career Examples
Graphic Designer, Musician, Writer, Actor, Chef, Interior Decorator
Social
"The Helpers"
Traits
• Friendly, empathetic, supportive
• Enjoys teaching, training, or curing
• Prefers working in teams to help people
Career Examples
Teacher, Nurse, Therapist, Social Worker, Counselor, Human Resources
Enterprising
"The Persuaders"
Traits
• Outgoing, persuasive, energetic
• Enjoys leading, selling, or managing
• Prefers competition and taking risks
Career Examples
Sales Manager, Lawyer, Entrepreneur, Politician, Stockbroker, Producer
Conventional
"The Organizers"
Traits
• Methodical, accurate, orderly
• Enjoys working with data, numbers, or records
• Prefers clear rules and set routines
Career Examples
Accountant, Banker, Office Manager, Librarian, Data Analyst, Court Clerk
Discovery Phase: Inventory
Complete the Career Interest Inventory worksheet.
Tally your points to find your Top 3 Codes.
Reflect on how these traits match your actual interests.
Start browsing career clusters linked to your code.
What's Next?
Once you have your results, we'll start the Deep Dive Project to research your dream career.
Finding Your Path
RIASEC Profiler Worksheet Career Compass
Unit: Self-Discovery | Lesson 1
Student Name
Date & Period
RIASEC Interest Profiler
Discovering your professional personality is the first step toward a fulfilling career. Below are six categories of interests. Read each statement and place a check mark (✓) next to every activity you enjoy or would like to try.
Realistic (The Doers)
Working with tools or machines
Repairing things that are broken
Building things with wood or metal
Being outdoors / Physical activity
Working with animals or plants
Investigative (The Thinkers)
Solving complex math or logic puzzles
Conducting science experiments
Learning about stars and space
Reading scientific journals/tech news
Analyzing data or researching facts
Artistic (The Creators)
Painting, drawing, or sculpting
Writing stories, poems, or music
Performing in plays or concerts
Designing graphics or fashion
Expressing ideas in unique ways
Social (The Helpers)
Teaching or explaining things to others
Volunteering in your community
Caring for people who are sick/hurting
Mediation or helping people get along
Working as part of a cooperative team
Enterprising (The Persuaders)
Leading a club, team, or project
Persuading people to see your view
Starting your own small business
Public speaking or debating
Managing people or making decisions
Conventional (The Organizers)
Keeping detailed records or lists
Organizing a workspace or event
Working with numbers and data
Following clear rules and procedures
Proofreading and checking for errors
The Scoring Sheet
Category R I A S E C Total Checks
Your Top 3 Codes:
Personal Reflection
1. Do your top three codes surprise you? Why or why not?
2. Think of a hobby or project you loved. Which RIASEC trait does it use the most?
3. Based on your top codes, list 2-3 careers that might interest you (refer to the slides for ideas):
Career Compass Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Career Compass: Navigating the 10th Grade Professional Journey
Unit Context
This unit is designed to transition 10th-grade students from vague career dreams to data-driven professional exploration. By starting with the RIASEC model, we anchor their research in their own personality traits, increasing engagement and relevance.
Focus: Self-Discovery
Target: Career Research
Grade: 10th
Suggested Pacing
Day 1
RIASEC Intro & Inventory
Day 2
Research Selection & BLS Tutorial
Day 3
Deep Dive Research Phase
Day 4
Presentation Design
Day 5
Future Launch Gallery Walk
Pro Tips: Lesson 1
• The "Perfect Code" Myth: Remind students that RIASEC codes aren't permanent. They reflect interests *right now* and are just a starting point.
• Low Scores: If a student has very low scores across the board, they likely need help finding modern translations of their hobbies (e.g., Gaming → Conventional/Investigative).
Pro Tips: Lesson 2
• Credible Sources: Explicitly teach how to navigate the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. It's the "gold standard" for this project.
• Salary Shock: 10th graders often have unrealistic expectations of salaries. Discuss "Entry Level" vs. "Median" to manage expectations.
Differentiation Strategies
For Scaffolding
Provide a "Cheat Sheet" of 20 common careers and their RIASEC codes. Some students get paralyzed by choice; give them a smaller menu to start with.
For Enrichment
Ask high-fliers to research a "Related Career"—a job that shares the same environment but requires more/less schooling (e.g., Dental Hygienist vs. Dentist).
Career Compass Teacher Resource | v1.0
RIASEC Career Key Resource RIASEC Career Key
Teacher Resource | Reference Sheet
Use this guide to help students translate their top RIASEC codes into potential career paths during the Discovery Phase.
Realistic (R)
Mechanical EngineerRI / RE
Veterinary TechnicianRS / RI
ElectricianRC / RE
Software DeveloperRI / RC
Forest RangerRE / RS
Investigative (I)
Medical SurgeonIRS
Data ScientistIRC
Cybersecurity AnalystIRC
Market Research AnalystIEA
BiologistIRA
Artistic (A)
Graphic DesignerAES
ArchitectAIR
Public Relations SpecialistEAS
Video Game DesignerAIR
ChefARE
Social (S)
High School TeacherSAE
Physical TherapistSIR
Social WorkerSEA
Nurse PractitionerSIR
Occupational TherapistSIA
Enterprising (E)
Sales ManagerECS
LawyerEIA
Financial AdvisorECI
Project ManagerECS
Real Estate AgentESR
Conventional (C)
AccountantCEI
Web DeveloperCRI
Pharmacy TechnicianCRI
Legal SecretaryCES
LibrarianCSE
Navigating Results with Students
The Multi-Code Approach
Most careers share 2-3 codes. Encourage students to look for their *combination*, not just their top score.
Modern Translation
Careers like "Social Media Manager" are a mix of Artistic (Creative), Enterprising (Marketing), and Conventional (Data).
Education Levels
Remind students that a Realistic (R) code can lead to a trade (Electrician) or a PhD (Engineer).
Career Compass | Unit 1 Reference
Research Roadmap Project Career Compass
Unit: Career Deep Dive | Lesson 2
Research Roadmap Project
The Mission
"Your career is not a destination, but a journey."
Now that you’ve identified your RIASEC interests, it’s time to zoom in on one specific career that aligns with your strengths. You will perform a professional "deep dive" into this career, gathering data on daily life, salary, education, and the future job market.
Phase 1: Investigation
Use the Career Fact Finder to gather data from professional sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or O*NET.
Phase 2: Showcase
Translate your research into a Digital Presentation or Career Portfolio to share with the class.
Project Checklist
Career Identity:
Job title, brief description, and matching RIASEC codes.
Job Duties:
At least 3-5 daily responsibilities or tasks.
Skills & Talents:
Identify "Hard Skills" vs. "Soft Skills" needed.
The Paycheck:
Entry-level salary vs. median salary expectations.
Growth Outlook:
Is this field growing or shrinking? (Job outlook %).
Education Path:
Degrees, certifications, or training required.
Success Criteria
Category Exceeds (10-9) Meets (8-7) Developing (6-0) Research Quality Includes all required data points from credible professional sources. Includes most data points; sources are mostly credible. Missing multiple data points or sources are not cited/credible. Reflection Deep, thoughtful analysis of how the career matches personal traits. Brief analysis of the career's fit with personal interests. Surface-level or no reflection on personal career alignment. Visual Clarity Organized, creative, and professional presentation of facts. Information is organized and easy to read. Cluttered, unorganized, or difficult to follow.
Career Compass Unit | Lesson 2
Research Roadmap Instructions
Career Fact Finder Worksheet Career Compass
Research Phase | Organizer
Student Name
Career Title
Section 1: Career Identity
RIASEC Connection
How does this career match your interest codes?
Primary Industry Cluster
e.g., STEM, Arts, Healthcare, Business...
Section 2: Daily Responsibilities
List 4-5 specific tasks this professional does every day:
01
02
03
04
05
Section 3: Path to Entry
Education Required
Minimum Degree/Training
Specific Major or Focus
Licenses or Certifications
Skillsets Needed
Hard Skills (Technical)
Soft Skills (People)
Section 4: Salary & Job Growth
Entry Salary
$__________
Median Salary
$__________
Job Growth %
__________%
Section 5: Personal Fit
What is the MOST appealing part of this job to you?
What is one potential challenge or downside you discovered?
On a scale of 1-10, how likely are you to pursue this career?
/10
Why did you give it this score?
Career Compass Unit | Lesson 2
Fact Finder Organizer
Showcase Slides Template Career Spotlight
[Insert Career Title Here]
Presented by: [Your Name]
Template Instructions: Replace [bracketed] text with your research.
Career Identity
Job Description
[Explain what this professional actually does in 2-3 sentences.]
RIASEC Match
[List the 3 Interest Codes that match this career.]
Place a Professional Photo Here
Inside the Day-to-Day
Daily Tasks
• [Task 1 Description]
• [Task 2 Description]
• [Task 3 Description]
• [Task 4 Description]
Skills Needed
• Hard: [Technical skill needed]
• Hard: [Tool or software used]
• Soft: [People skill required]
• Soft: [Problem solving style]
The Educational Journey
Required Degree
[e.g., Bachelor of Science in...]
Training/Certs
[e.g., State License or specific Certification]
Financial Outlook
Median Annual Salary
$[Amount]
Job Outlook (10yr)
[XX]% Growth
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Final Verdict
"I believe this career is a [Great / Okay / Bad] fit for me because [Explain your reasoning based on your RIASEC results]."
Are there any questions?
Presentation Peer Feedback Form Peer Review Feed
Career Compass | Lesson 2 Presentation
Reviewer Name
Presenter Name
"Professional feedback is a skill." Listen carefully to your peer's presentation and provide constructive, honest feedback based on the criteria below.
Part 1: Career Data
Did the presenter include all required research points? (Salary, Education, Duties, etc.)
Yes, all points.
Most points.
Missing several.
What data point was most interesting to you?
Part 2: Visual Impact
How effective were the slides/visuals?
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
One piece of visual feedback (e.g., "Loved the photos", "Text too small"):
Part 3: Professional Fit
Did the presenter explain WHY this career fits them using their RIASEC codes?
Very clearly.
Somewhat.
Not really.
One specific trait you see in the presenter that matches this job:
Final Verdict
Based on this presentation, do you think this career is a good match for your peer?
Y
N
Why or why not?
Career Compass | Presentation Feedback Form
Career Path Reflection Exit Ticket Career Reflection
Name
1. What is the most surprising thing you learned about your career interests?
2. If you had to start this career tomorrow, what is one skill you'd need to improve?
3. Rate your excitement for this path:
Not for me
Maybe
Dream Job
Career Compass | Unit Wrap-Up