Career Research Paper – Pre-AP



Career Research Paper

I have designed this assignment as a step by step guide to walk my students through the research process. Of course, you may adjust it as you feel is necessary according to the level of students you are working with. This project explains in detail everything they need to research, as well as, giving them real world insight into what to expect in a career in terms of education, job duties and responsibilities and income. I begin by having them take a reality check quiz on the Jump Start Coalition website. This little quiz helps them determine how much money they will need to earn in order to live the lifestyle they would like to have. This income amount in turn helps open their eyes to the type of job necessary to achieve that income and what amount of education is involved. It was a real wake up call for many of my students. In this package I have also included a grading rubric for the project and a list of possible career choices for their assignment.

Student Instructions

You will be writing a research paper on a career chosen from the attached list. Think carefully about which career you chose to research. Read through these directions and the requirements for this assignment BEFORE making your choice.

Materials needed for this project -

---note cards (preferably 3x5 lined)

---folder with pockets to keep all research materials in

---access to internet and reference books

A. Take reality check quiz at to determine the amount of money you will need to earn to live the lifestyle you want.

B. Choose a career from the attached list.

C. You will be required to have three sources for your paper – at least one of those needs to be from a reference book. You will need a source card for each source. Every place that you get information from for your paper needs to have a source card. Source cards need the following information:

Internet source

Author (if none, leave it blank)

Name of web page

year/ month/day published (if none listed, leave it blank)

year/month/date accessed (this is the date you looked at the information)

URL (This is what is listed in the address box. Only list this until the .com, .org, .net or .edu)

Book source

Author (if none, leave it blank)

Title of book

year published

city published

Publisher

D. Your paper will require research in each of the following areas. For each of the areas (numbered items) below you will need to do research to answer the questions I have listed, as well as, any other information you feel is important.

(1). Introduction:

Include name of the career you have chosen.

Why did you choose that career?

What appeals to you about this career?

(2.) Paragraph two – the job:

What does someone in this career do?

What are the daily duties and expectations for this job? (List at least 3 and explain

them.)

What would you consider the best parts of the day?

What would be the most challenging?

(3.) Paragraph three – required skills:

What are the skills, talents or personality traits required for this job?

In what ways are you suited for this career?

What personality characteristics or skills do you currently possess that you believe

will benefit you in this career?

(4.) Paragraph four – required education:

What are the educational requirements for this job?

How many years of study are involved?

Where would you obtain this education? (On-the-job training, junior college,

technical school, college or university?)

List two schools that provide this training.

(5.) Paragraph five - earnings:

What is the salary range for this career?

What factors affect how much you earn (commission, location, education, etc.)?

What is the usual entry level position into this field?

What expenses, other than educational, are involved in getting set up in this

career ?

(6.) Conclusion:

What do you like about this career choice?

In what setting would you like to have this career? (locally, out of state, big

company, small, etc.?)

E. Find and print a copy of an advertisement for a current job listing in this field.

Research

F. You will now do research to answer the questions in Step D. Write each question on a separate note card and label each of those cards with the paragraph numbers in Step D above. When you find the answer to a question, write the answer information on the back of that note card. This will help you organize your information later.

Outline, Rough Draft, Revise & Edit

G. When you have finished doing all your research – you’ve answered all your questions and feel like you have enough information for your paper – you will need to sort your cards into the paragraph numbers in Step D. Once your cards are organized, this will help you with your outline. Now write your outline for your research paper.

H. Once your outline is written you will write your rough draft. When your rough draft is finished have a competent person revise and edit your paper.

I. When your paper has been edited you need to go back over it and reread it to see what corrections or changes need to be made. Take your time and read it slowly!

Type Final Copy, Cover Sheet, Works Cited Page

J. You will now type your final copy. Use ARIAL 12 pt., double spaced. Put your name and page number in the upper right hand corner of each page.

K. Type a cover sheet centering the following information both vertically and horizontally on the page. You may use a font of your choosing for the title no larger than 30 point. The rest of the cover page needs to be in Arial 12 pt. and double spaced.

Title

Your name

Date

Teacher’s name

Language Arts period ____

L. Type a works cited page. In Microsoft Word go to the reference section and choose MLA, then insert citation or go to and create a works cited page there. Fill in the blanks with the information from your source cards.

M. Print your cover page, paper, copy of job listing (step E), and works cited page, staple and turn in.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE FINISHED!

Suggested Websites





Career Research Paper Rubric Name________________

Mechanics – Counts as one test grade

Cover sheet 5 points ________________

Works cited page 10 points ________________

Notecards (1 for each question and 1 for each source) 25 points ________________

Outline 20 points ________________

Rough Draft 20 points ________________

Final copy typed (Double spaced, Arial, 12 pt) 10 points ________________

Career advertisement 20 points ________________

TOTAL POINTS ________________

Content – Counts as one test grade

Questions answered

(1). Introduction:

Include name of the career you have chosen. 10 points ___________________

Why did you choose that career?

What appeals to you about this career?

(2.) Paragraph two – the job:

What does someone in this career do? 10 points ___________________

What are the daily duties and expectations for this job?

What would you consider the best parts of the day?

What would be the most challenging?

(3.) Paragraph three – required skills: 10 points ___________________

What are the skills, talents or personality traits required for this job?

In what ways are you suited for this career?

What personality characteristics or skills do you currently possess that you believe will benefit you in this career?

(4.) Paragraph four – required education:

What are the educational requirements for this job? 10 points ___________________

How many years of study are involved?

Where would you obtain this education?

List two schools that provide this training.

(5.) Paragraph five - earnings:

What is the salary range for this career? 10 points ___________________

What factors affect how much you earn?

What is the usual entry level position into this field?

What expenses are involved?

(6.) Conclusion:

What do you like about this career choice? 10 points ___________________

In what setting would you like to have this career?

Well written 25 points ____________________

Flows well with good transitions 15 points ____________________

TOTAL POINTS ______________________

Career List

Accountants and auditors Antiques and art dealers

Accounting clerks Apparel industry workers

Actor Apparel technician

Actuary Appliance Service technician

Acupuncturist Appraiser

Adult day care coordinator Aquaculturist

Advanced practice nurse Arborist

Adventure travel specialist Archaeologist

Advertising account executive Architects

Advertising and marketing manager Archivist

Advertising worker Aromatherapist

Aerobics instructor & fitness trainer Art dealer

Aeronautical and aerospace technician Art director

Aerospace engineer Artist

Aerospace technician Assessors

Agribusiness technician Astronaut

Agricultural consultant Astronomer

Agricultural equipment technician Astrophysicist

Agricultural pilot Athletic director

Agricultural scientist Auctioneer

Aircraft mechanics Audio recording engineer

Airplane dispatchers Auditor

Air quality engineer Automobile collision repair

Air traffic controller Auto sales

Alcohol and drug abuse counselors Auto service technician

Allergists/immunologists Auto industry worker

Ambassadors Avionics engineer

Amusement park workers Baggage porter & bellhop

Anesthesiologist Bail bondsmen

Animal breeder and technician Bailiffs

Animal caretaker Bakery worker

Animal handler Bank examiner

Animal technician Barber

Animal trainer

Animator Bed and breakfast owner

Anthropologist Beekeeper

Bicycle mechanic Bellhop

Billing clerk Cleaning service owner

Biochemist Clinical nurse specialist

Biologist Coach

Biomedical engineer Coal miner

Bodyguard Collections worker

Book editor College administrator

Bookkeeping clerk College professor

Border patrol officer Color analyst

Botanist Columnist

Bounty hunter Commodities broker

Bricklayer and stonemasons Communications equipment tech

Broadcast engineers Community health nurse

Business manager Composer and arranger

Buyer Computer sales

Cable television technician Computer technician

Camera operator Computer and video game designer

Campaign worker Computer programmer

Cardiologist Computer trainer

Career and employment counselor Construction laborer

Carpenter Cook

Cartographer Copywriter

Cartoonist and animator Corrections officer

Cashier Cosmetician

Caterer Cosmetic sales

Chef Cosmetic surgeon

Chemical engineer Cosmetologist

Chemist Costume designer

Chief information officer Counter and retail clerk

Child care worker Court reporter

Chimney sweeps Critical care nurse

Chiropractor Cruise ship worker

Choreographer Customer service representative

Cinematographer Customs official

Circus performer Dancer

City manager Data entry clerk

Civil engineer Dental assistant

Claims adjuster Dentist

Dermatologist Firefighter

Desktop publishing specialist Fish and game warden

Detective Fisher

Dietician Fitness trainer

Disc jockey Flight attendant

Diver Floor covering installer

Drafter Florist

Dry cleaner Food service worker

Drywall installers and finishers Foreign correspondent

Ecologist Forensic expert

Economist Forester

Editor Fund-raiser

Electrical engineer Funeral home worker

Electronic engineer Genealogist

Electrician Geographer

Elementary school teacher Geologist

Emergency medical technician Geriatrics

Emergency nurse Golf course superintendent

Engineer Grant writer

ESL teacher Graphic designer

Environmental engineer Greeting card designer

Ergonomist Grief therapist

Event planner Guidance counselor

Exhibit designer Hazardous waste specialist

Export-import specialist Health inspector

Farm equipment manager Health care manager

Farmer Heating and cooling tech

Fashion coordinator Helicopter pilot

Fashion designer Horticultural tech

Fashion photographer Hospice worker

Fast food worker Hotel manager

FBI agent Human service worker

Film and television director Hypnotherapist

Film and television extra Illustrator

Financial analyst Image consultant

Financial planner Insurance

Interior designer Nutritionist

Internet consultant Occupational therapist

Interpreter Ophthalmologist

Janitor Optometrist

Jewelry industry Orthodontist

Jockey Packaging

Judge Painter

Lab tech Paleontologist

Landscape architect Paralegal

Landscaper Park ranger

Lawyer Parole officer

Legal secretary Pediatrician

Librarian Pest control

Lifeguard Pet groomer

Locksmith Pharmacist

Magician photographer

Mail carrier Physical therapist

Marine biologist Physician assistant

Massage therapist Physician

Meatcutter Pilot

Mechanical engineer Plumber

Media relations Police officer

Medical assistant Production assistant

Medical secretary Professional athlete

Meteorologist Property manager

Meter readers Psychiatrist

Microbiologist Psychologist

Model Public relations

Mortuary cosmetologist Quality control tech

Museum Radio and television

Musician Railroad

Music therapist Real estate

Nail technician Receptionist

Nanny Recreation

Neonatal nurse Recycling

Newspaper industry Referee

Nonprofit industry Reporter

Nurse Resort worker

Restaurant worker

Retail clerk

Retirement

Robotics

Roofer

Sales rep

Singer

Social worker

Software designer

Sports agent

Sports trainer

Stunt performer

Surgeon

Tailor

Taxidermist

Taxi driver

Tax preparer

Teacher

Toll collector

Tour guide

Toy and game designer

Traffic engineer

Translator

Travel agent

Truck driver

Umpire

Veterinarian

Webmaster

Wedding consultant

Welder

Writer

Zoo industry

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