Project Master Teacher Guide Project Master
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Topic: Intro to Careers
START-2026
The Beginner's Lens
This version of the project is specifically designed for students with zero prior experience in career research. The focus is on demystifying "professional language" and teaching them how to use adult data tools for the first time.
Project Goals
Learn how to use official career search engines (BLS, O*NET).
Understand the difference between a job and a career.
Connect personal interests to real-world employment.
Practice visualizing data through a "Roadmap" poster.
The 10-Day Plan
Days 1-2 "What do I even like?" (Interests)
Days 3-5 "The Scavenger Hunt" (Research)
Days 6-8 "Mapping the Route" (Poster)
Days 9-10 "Sharing the Journey" (Reviews)
Vocabulary to Pre-Teach
Median Salary
The "middle" pay amount. Half of workers make more, half make less.
Job Outlook
The prediction for if this job will grow or shrink in the future.
Hard vs Soft Skills
"Hard" = things you learn (coding). "Soft" = how you act (teamwork).
Facilitation Notes
Research Scaffolding
Since this is their first time, do a "Live Demo." Project the BLS website and search for a common job (like "Nurse" or "Teacher") together. Show them exactly which tabs to click.
Common Confusion
Students often think "Job Growth 5%" means a 5% raise. Clarify that this refers to the number of jobs available in the country.
The Roadmap Hook
"You are the traveler. High school is where you are now. The job is where you want to go. Every piece of info you find is a signpost telling you how to get there."
Grading Strategy
Focus heavily on Evidence. Did they actually find a real number for pay? Did they list a real degree? For beginners, accuracy is more important than creative flair.
First Steps Slides Career Roadmap
Intro to Your Future
Day 01
10th Grade Project
What is This?
Career Research is like being a Private Investigator for your own life.
We are going to find out:
What jobs actually pay.
What you do every hour of the day.
What classes you need to take.
"No guessing. We find real facts."
The Big Plan
Over the next 2 weeks, you will build a Roadmap:
1. PICK
Choose a career that actually interests you.
2. FIND
Use official tools to get the real numbers and facts.
3. POST
Make a huge poster mapping out the journey.
Real World Tools
We will use:
The BLS Handbook
The "Big Book of Jobs" run by the government. It tells you the honest pay and future growth.
O*NET Online
The "Skill Finder." It lists every single thing you need to know how to do.
No TikTok Advice
We aren't using social media for this. We are using the exact same tools that adults use.
Your Roadmap Poster
Think of your poster as a Tour Guide for your dream job.
Milestones
Daily Paths
The Good/Bad
Ready?
Grab the First Steps Worksheet and let's start the engine.
First Steps Planner Worksheet First Steps Planner
Day 01: Picking Your Path
Name
1
The "Brainstorm" Phase
Think about your life outside of school. What are 3 things you actually like doing or learning about? (Examples: Drawing, playing video games, fixing bikes, helping people feel better, coding, cooking).
2
The "Link" Phase
Now, link those interests to a real job. If you aren't sure, ask your teacher or a neighbor for an idea.
Idea 01
Idea 02
Idea 03
3
Final Choice
The One Career I Will Research:
One specific question I want to answer about this job:
Ready for Research
You must have this paper signed before you start googling.
Teacher Signature
Route Planning Research Slides Phase 02: The Scavenger Hunt
Find the Facts
Step-by-Step Research
The Two Websites
1. BLS.GOV
Think of this as the Official Rulebook. It has the correct pay, education, and job growth.
2. ONETONLINE.ORG
Think of this as the Details List. It lists every single skill you need (like using specific software).
"If you find info on Google that doesn't match these two sites—the sites are right. Always trust the sites."
Decoding the Language
Median Pay
The Middle Point. Half of all people in this job make more than this, and half make less.
Job Outlook
The Future Prediction. Is this job growing? If it says "Average," it's staying the same. If it's "Much faster than average," there are more jobs coming!
"We want careers that are Growing, not Shrinking."
How to Click
1
Search your career in the OOH Search Bar.
2
Look for the TABS at the top of the job page.
3
Find the Summary for pay and the Work Environment for daily life.
Follow the Log!
Scavenger Hunt: Go!
Open your Route Planning Log. Use the "Hints" in each box to find the exact tab you need.
Find 3 Schools
Find the Pay
Find the Hours
Route Planning Research Log The Research Log
Scavenger Hunt for Your Career Roadmap
My Target Career
Step 01
Schooling & Training
Required Degree/License:
(Hint: See "How to Become One" tab)
Major Subject to Study:
(Example: Biology, Art, Business)
Step 02
The Daily Job
5 things you will actually do all day:
(Hint: See "What They Do" tab)
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
Work Setting (Office? Field? Home?):
Hours & Stress Level:
Step 03
Money & The Future
Middle Salary
Job Growth (%)
Starting Pay
Step 04
The Toolbelt (Skills)
Stuff you know (Hard Skills):
(Example: Photoshop, Calculators)
How you act (Soft Skills):
(Example: Teamwork, Talking to people)
Where did you find this? (Websites used): Final Itinerary Design Slides Phase 03: Final Itinerary
Making the Map
Designing Your Poster
From Log to Map
"Don't just copy your notes. Turn your notes into Visual Symbols."
School = A Degree Milestone
Daily Tasks = A Path
Salary = A Fuel Gauge
Why Visuals?
"People understand pictures faster than lists. Your roadmap should guide us through your future without us having to read a novel."
Roadmap Layout
Big Title (The Career)
The Path
The Details
Final Reflection Zone
Must-Haves:
Clear Path: A line or road connecting high school to the job.
Milestones: Signposts for degrees and certifications.
A Day in the Life: Icons showing what you do daily.
The Verdict: An honest "Yes/No" score for personal fit.
Road Rules
DO:
Use color to separate sections.
Write large enough to read from 3 feet away.
Use a ruler for straight, professional lines.
DON'T:
Write messy, scribbled notes.
Use glitter or distracting stickers.
Professionalism Score
"A roadmap should be easy for a stranger to understand without you explaining it."
Start Sketching
Grab your poster board and your Final Reflection Worksheet. Let's map your future.
Personal Fit Assessment Worksheet Personal Fit Map
Glows & Grows Analysis
Name
G
Career Glows
List 3 things you found in your research that make you EXCITED about this job. (Example: "I get to work outside," "The pay is high enough for a house," "I like the daily tasks").
#1
#2
#3
G
Career Grows
List 3 things that might be CHALLENGING or difficult for you. (Example: "I have to stand for 10 hours," "College takes 8 years," "The job is high stress").
#1
#2
#3
Final Trip Rating
Based on your "Glows" and "Grows," why do you think this job is or isn't a good fit for YOU personally?
Personal Fit Score
/ 10 Compatibility
Note: Use this page to fill out the "Verdict" section of your final roadmap poster.
Blueprint Poster Checklist Roadmap Inspector
Final Poster Checklist: ROAD-2026
Before we "hang the maps" for the Gallery Walk, make sure you can check off every box below. Accuracy and neatness are required for a Pass Inspection grade.
The Information Check
Big Title: My career name is written in bold and is easy to see from the back of the room.
Education Milestones: I listed the specific degree (Associate's, Bachelor's, etc.) and what to study.
A Day in the Life: I listed at least 5 real-world daily tasks for this job.
Money & Future: I included the Median Salary and whether the job is growing or shrinking.
Glows & Grows: I included my personal reflection on what I like and what is hard about this path.
The "Look" Check
Legibility: All my writing is neat and professional. No messy cross-outs or scribbles.
Path Logic: There is a clear visual "road" connecting the sections of my poster.
Color: I used color to help make my information stand out (not just for decoration).
Self-Inspection Complete?
Verify all boxes before handing to teacher.
STAMP
Career Roadmap Sample Poster Wildlife Biologist
Project Sample: ROAD-2026
Launchpad
Step 1
Bachelor's Degree
Major: Zoology or Biology
Step 2
Field Experience
Internships at State Parks
Market Stats
Median Salary
$67,430 / yr
Future Growth
5% (Average)
Daily Route (The Path)
01
Field Observation
02
Data Collection
03
Lab Analysis
Environment:
Outdoor field sites (forests, lakes) and modern laboratories. Highly physical work.
Scenic Views (Glows)
Working with animals
Protecting the environment
No desk job burnout
Road Hazards (Grows)
Extreme weather days
Very long hiking days
Writing long technical reports
Final Personal Fit Verdict
"The long days in the field are worth the impact on nature."
Compatibility
9/10
Journey Review Peer Feedback Cards Tour Guide Reviews
Instruction: Evaluate your classmates' roadmaps as if you were a traveler on their journey. Give helpful and honest feedback.
Inspection Card #01
Career Being Reviewed:
A Surprising Fact on the Map:
One design element I really liked:
Reviewer Initials: ______
Inspection Card #02
Career Being Reviewed:
A Surprising Fact on the Map:
One design element I really liked:
Reviewer Initials: ______
Inspection Card #03
Career Being Reviewed:
A Surprising Fact on the Map:
One design element I really liked:
Reviewer Initials: ______
Inspection Card #04
Career Being Reviewed:
A Surprising Fact on the Map:
One design element I really liked:
Reviewer Initials: ______
Final Journey Reflection Final Journey Log
Project Reflection: ROAD-2026
Student Traveler
Looking Back at the Road
1. What is the #1 most surprising fact you found during your research?
2. Which website was easier for you to use: BLS.gov or O*NET? Why?
The Final Destination
3. Now that you've seen the "Glows" and "Grows," is this still a career you want to pursue? Give at least 2 reasons why or why not.
The Next Exit
Action Item
What is one thing you can do this school year to learn more about this path? (Example: Joining a specific club, talking to a person who has this job, or picking a specific elective class).
Plan your next move here...
Career Roadmap Project Ver: Beginner-Scale-1.0 Safe Travels
Project Grading Sheet Final Grade Sheet
Career Roadmap Project: ROAD-2026
Student Name
Grading Directions
This project is graded based on the accuracy of the research and the clarity of the roadmap design. Total possible score is 100 points.
Total Score
/ 100
Criteria Max Pts Score 1. Research Accuracy (The Facts)
Data from BLS/O*NET is accurate and specific (real salary numbers, real degrees, real task list).
| 30 | |
|
2. Roadmap Design (The Flow)
Poster uses a "Roadmap" theme. There is a clear visual path from high school to the final destination.
| 25 | |
|
3. Visual Communication (Icons/Symbols)
Information is shown through charts, icons, or diagrams rather than just long lists of text.
| 20 | |
|
4. The Verdict (Reflection)
Student identifies specific "Glows" and "Grows" and provides a logical fit rating (1-10).
| 15 | |
|
5. Professionalism & Neatness
Handwriting is neat, colors are used purposefully, and the poster is ready for a professional exhibit.
| 10 | |
Teacher Feedback
Detailed Comments:
Evaluation Date
Instructor Signature
