Crossroads Slides Transition Series
The Crossroads:
Job vs. Career
Building your roadmap to independence, growth, and personal success.
Lesson 1: Foundational Vocabulary
Future Focus Unit
Warm-Up Activity
Think - Pair - Share
Why do people work? Is it only for money?
Immediate Needs
Paying bills, buying groceries, rent, and fun activities.
Personal Goals
Helping others, learning new skills, and building a proud future.
Share one reason you want to work with a partner.
Definition 1
The Short-Term View
What is a Job?
A job is work you do primarily to earn money right now to pay for your basic, immediate needs.
Quick Start: Usually requires minimal training or school.Hourly Wage: You are usually paid for the exact hours you work.Temporary: Easily changed if you find another position.
Common Examples:
Grocery Store Clerk
Fast Food Crew Member
Dog Walker / Pet Sitter
Remember: All work is valuable! A job is an excellent starting point.
Definition 2
The Long-Term Path
What is a Career?
A career is a long-term professional journey built on training, passion, and deliberate progression over time.
Training & Skills: Requires certificates, degrees, or licenses.Growth & Promotion: Opportunities to climb to higher roles.Benefits & Stability: Includes health insurance, paid vacation, and retirement.
Common Examples:
Automotive Technician
Registered Nurse (RN)
Software Developer
Careers combine your natural skills, interests, and dedicated efforts.
The Showdown
Quick Reference Chart
Job vs. Career: Core Comparison
Feature Job Career Main Focus Earning money quickly Long-term personal growth & progress Preparation Short-term training on the job Specialized licenses, degrees, credentials Pay Type Hourly rate (wages for hours worked) Yearly Salary + Professional Benefits Benefits? Rarely (health insurance, retirement) Usually full package (health, paid days off)
Make sure to fill out section 3 of your Guided Notes!
Crucial Concepts
Beyond the Paycheck
What are Benefits?
Benefits are valuable, non-money compensations provided by employers to protect your health, security, and work-life balance.
Health Insurance
Pays for doctor visits, emergency room care, and medications.
Paid Time Off (PTO)
You still get paid when taking a vacation or when you are sick.
Retirement Plan
Employer matches your savings to secure your financial future.
Transition tip: Ask potential employers about benefits during interviews!
My IEP Transition
Self-Advocacy Power
Why Does This Matter for My IEP?
Your IEP transition plan is designed to help you prepare for life after high school. Understanding jobs vs. careers lets you:
Set achievable vocational goals
Speak up in your IEP meetings
Map out training needed for your goals
Self-Advocacy Core Rule
"No one knows your strengths, interests, and desires better than you do. Knowing what training you need helps you speak up and build the team you need."
Action: You will write a real career transition goal in Lesson 3!
Your path, your voice. You are in control of your roadmap.
Next Steps
Activity Prep
Are You Ready to Challenge Yourself?
Next, we will put our knowledge to the test. You will work with a partner to examine real-world scenarios and sort them: Is it a Job or a Career?
Get your Crossroads Guided Notes completed now!
Future Focus Transition Series • Lesson 1 Complete
Crossroads Guided Notes Future Focus • Lesson 1
Crossroads Guided Notes
Student Copy
Name:
Date:
Period:
1 Warm-Up: Why Do People Work?
Listen to the teacher's slides. Why do people work? Write down at least two different reasons:
2 Defining Our Terms (Fill in the Blanks)
Definition A: The Job Short-Term Focus
A JOB is work you do primarily to earn right now to pay for your basic and immediate .
Easy to start Usually hourly pay Temporary
Definition B: The Career Long-Term Journey
A CAREER is a long-term professional journey built on , passion, and deliberate growth over .
Needs training/school Yearly salary Offers promotions
Future Focus Vocational Series Page 1 of 2
Future Focus • Lesson 1
Guided Notes Continued
3 Side-by-Side Showdown (Circle the Correct Options)
Review Slide 5 and select the word or phrase that best completes each sentence about Jobs vs. Careers.
Feature
Job
Career
How do you get paid?
Hourly Wages
Yearly Salary
Preparation required?
Minimal training /Learn on the job
Special school /Licenses & Degrees
Are there benefits?
Rarely Available
Usually Included
Time focus
Short-Term
Long-Term
4 Beyond the Paycheck (Understanding Benefits)
Review Slide 6. Fill in the missing words using the word bank below to complete each benefit definition.
HEALTH INSURANCE PAID TIME OFF (PTO) RETIREMENT PLAN
1. pays for doctor visits, emergency room care, and medications.
2. means you still get paid when taking a vacation or when you are sick.
3. A helps you save money for when you get older and stop working.
Self-Advocacy & IEP Power Prompt
Your IEP transition goals help you prepare for independent adult life. Why is it important to know the difference between a job and a career? Complete the self-advocacy sentence below:
"I need to know the difference because a job gets me money today , but a career allows me to build for my long-term ."
Future Focus Vocational Series Page 2 of 2
Scenario Sorting Cards Future Focus • Lesson 2
Printable Sorting Cards (1-4)
Directions for Activity:
Cut along the dashed lines to separate the cards. Read each scenario with your partner and decide: is this a JOB or a CAREER ? Explain why!
CARD 01
Maya's Grocery Shift
Maya works at a local grocery store checking out customers' groceries on weekday afternoons. She earns $13.50 an hour. She took this position to pay for her car insurance and gas.
Pay: Hourly wages ($13.50/hr)
Training: Short training on day one
JOB OR CAREER?
CARD 02
Leo's HVAC Certification
Leo went to a vocational school for 2 years to get licensed in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). He has worked for a local building company for 5 years and receives healthcare benefits.
Benefits: Full medical + vacation pay
Training: Specialized license program
JOB OR CAREER?
CARD 03
Jackson's Pizza Route
Jackson works as a delivery driver for Luigi's Pizza on Friday and Saturday nights. He gets tips and an hourly rate of $10. He works only when he needs extra money for video games and concerts.
Pay: Hourly wage + cash tips
Timeframe: Weekend shifts only
JOB OR CAREER?
CARD 04
Sarah's Nursing Pathway
Sarah finished her nursing degree and works full-time at a large children's hospital. Every year, she attends professional seminars to qualify for promotions and wage increases.
Growth: Annual reviews & training levels
Credentials: Registered Nurse (RN) license
JOB OR CAREER?
Future Focus Vocational Series Page 1 of 2
Future Focus • Lesson 2
Printable Sorting Cards (5-8)
Discussion Suggestion:
For each card, underline the clues that helped you decide! Look for words like hourly, license, short-term, or benefits.
CARD 05
David's Summer Line
David works on an assembly line at a manufacturing warehouse during summer break. When school starts in the fall, he plans to quit so he can focus on classes and school activities.
Duration: Summer only (3 months)
Benefits: None (seasonal employment)
JOB OR CAREER?
CARD 06
Elena's Plumbing Track
Elena is an apprentice plumber. She works alongside a master plumber during the day and takes classes twice a week. She receives retirement matching contributions and salary raises as her skills grow.
Comparison Workbook Future Focus • Lesson 2
Comparison Workbook
Student Copy
Name:
Date:
Period:
1 The Comparison Map
How do jobs and careers compare? Write down characteristics that belong to only Jobs , only Careers , or Both . (Use your guided notes to help you!)
Jobs Only
Ex: Fast cash, hourly wage
Focus: Immediate Needs
Both / Shared
Ex: Earn money, valuable work
Focus: Personal Efforts
Careers Only
Ex: Long-term plans, licensing
Focus: Long-Term Growth
Future Focus Vocational Series Page 1 of 2
Future Focus • Lesson 2
Workbook Continued
2 Scenario Solver Report
Pick any two sorting cards from the activity. Fill out the report card for each person below.
Card Number & Name:
What type of work is this?
Job Career
What was the main clue?
Card Number & Name:
What type of work is this?
Job Career
What was the main clue?
3 My Future Path Reflection
Think about your own goals and interests. Read each prompt and write your thoughts.
1. Right now, what is one JOB you might want to have to earn quick money?
2. When you think about your long-term future, what CAREER path sounds interesting?
3. What is one skill you are good at (like cooking, fixing things, talking to people, computers)?
Future Focus Vocational Series Page 2 of 2
Future Path Project Future Focus • Lesson 3
Future Path Project
Project Packet
Name:
Date:
Period:
Welcome to your Future Path Project! This project is designed to help you discover a long-term career that matches your natural interests, explore what preparation is needed, and write your official post-secondary IEP goal.
1 My Interest Matchmaker
What do you love to do? Match your interest to a possible career path. (Circle all that interest you!)
If you like fixing things... Try: HVAC Tech, Auto Mechanic
If you like helping others... Try: Dental Assistant, Medical Aid
If you like kids or animals... Try: Childcare, Vet Assistant
If you like computers... Try: IT Support, Web Designer
2 My Chosen Career Choice
Select one career you would like to explore for this project and write its name down:
My Career Choice:
Briefly explain why this career sounds exciting to you:
Future Focus Vocational Series Page 1 of 3
Future Focus • Lesson 3
Project Packet Continued
3 Schooling and Skills Required
Most careers require special education, licensing, or hands-on practice. What does your chosen career require?
Check all that apply for your career choice:
High School Diploma Only Professional Trade License 2-Year Associate Degree 4-Year Bachelor Degree Apprenticeship / On-the-Job training Special Certification
4 What Can I Do Right Now?
Preparation starts today! What are two actions you can take in high school to help prepare for this career pathway?
Action 1:
Action 2:
5 Identifying My Support System
Self-advocacy means knowing who to ask for assistance. Write down two people who can help you reach this goal.
Support Person 1
NAME:
RELATION:
Support Person 2
NAME:
RELATION:
Future Focus Vocational Series Page 2 of 3
Future Focus • Lesson 3
IEP Transition Goal Planner
6 Drafting My Post-Secondary IEP Goal
Your IEP transition plan states what you will accomplish after you graduate. Use our formula to write your official transition goal:
The Goal Blueprint Formula
"Upon graduation from high school, I will [schooling, licensing, or work training] so that I can prepare for a career as a [my chosen career]."
