Overview

Estimated Time: 1 Class Period (50 Minutes)
Unit: Career In Focus
Lesson: 1.3
Theme: Working Local

Students explore how careers can be found across many different industries and investigate employers within their local community. Through a career matching activity and employer research, students identify a local employer that aligns with their career interests and develop an employer profile to better understand career opportunities close to home.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson students will:

Assess the value of career-specific skills across a variety of industries.
Investigate employers in their local community.
Synthesize information about a local employer.
Report their findings about a local employer.

Indiana Standards

PCC-1.2 – Identify personal interests, strengths, skills, and values that influence career choices.
PCC-1.3 – Explore a variety of careers and career pathways.
PCC-2.1 – Identify and describe personal skills and employability skills that contribute to workplace success.
PCC-2.2 – Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills in workplace settings.
PCC-2.3 – Investigate how workplace skills apply across different careers and industries.
PCC-2.4 – Explain the relationship between education, training, and career opportunities.
PCC-4.1 – Use career information and resources to support career exploration and planning.
PCC-6.1 – Investigate local and regional career opportunities.
PCC-6.3 – Research employers and labor market information to support career decision-making.

Before You Begin:

Student Materials

Device with internet access
"Employer Sheet" or "Employee Sheet"
Local Employer Profile
Pens or pencils

Teacher Preparation

Print copies of the "Employer Sheet" and "Employee Sheet."
Review the list of Major Employers on the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Alliance website.
Prepare students to research a local employer.
Review the Local Employer Profile requirements.

Lesson Flow

Hook / Warm-Up (Employer/Employee Matching Activity)
Mini Lesson: Exploring Local Employers
Local Employer Research
Employer Profile Development
Wrap-Up Discussion and Sharing

Student Work Products

Students will complete:

Employer Sheet or Employee Sheet
Local Employer Profile

External Resources

Local Chamber of Commerce/Economic Growth Website

Teacher Tips

Encourage students to think beyond specific job titles and consider how the same career can exist across many different industries. As students research employers, guide them toward selecting organizations that genuinely connect with their career interests and remind them to support their profiles with accurate research rather than assumptions.

Portfolio Connection

At the conclusion of this lesson, students should have:

Collected information describing the employer, why it is a good fit, estimated wages, and supporting graphics may be fit for inclusion in their portfolio.

Lesson 1.3 - Working Local Snapshot & Resources