Tips on Presenting to Middle School Students

Make it personal. As you talk about your work, use anecdotes from your own experience. For
example
!escribe how you became interested in dance and how you entered the profession. "se this as
a springboard to mention the talents and character traits re#uired for your work.
Sketch out your working conditions and tell the students what a typical day is like. $f they%re
likely to recogni&e any of your clients or pro'ects, be sure to mention them.
Make it interactive. (et the kids in)ol)ed as #uickly as possible ask #uestions and encourage
them to do the same. Asking #uestions about their exposure to your profession breaks the ice and
simultaneously gi)es you a better feel for your audience.
Make it concrete. (i)e specific, hands*on examples and use props and audio)isuals whene)er
you can.
!isplay or hand out some sample items as )isuals, ideally of things the children may be familiar
with.
Take ad)antage of the opportunity to discuss the aspects of the technology you use.
Put photographs, postcards, crafts, or other ob'ects in an album or a protecti)e co)er and pass it
around the classroom. $tems that children can touch are an excellent idea one sixth*grade class
en'oyed seeing and touching a hand*wo)en poncho from Peru.

Make it fun. "se audio)isuals and+or a game format to keep your presentation li)ely and interesting.
,ring age*appropriate translated material and impress them with a brief demonstration.
-ncourage participation by gi)ing pri&es for correct answers i.e.stickers, buttons, pencils,
pens, chocolates, or candy.

Make it count. /ea)ing something tangible behind will magnify the effect of your )isit and ultimately
produce a better return on the time and energy you%)e in)ested in your presentation. (i)e the kids
sou)enirs or treats, and gi)e the teacher a resource handout with pointers to more information on
careers. -)en a flyer about your 'ob or a brochure on your employer that the students can keep will
help them remember you and your talk.

Career Day
Suggested List of Question to Ask Guest Speakers
Questions of General Interest
0. 1hy did you choose this 'ob2
3. 4ow many years ha)e you been working on your 'ob2 4ow many more years do you plan on
working at your 'ob2
5. !o you en'oy your 'ob2
6. 7an you describe your typical day2
8. 1hat is your fa)orite thing about your typical day2
9. 4ow many different types of 'obs are there in your field of work2 1hat are they2
:. 4ow would you rate your 'ob on a scale of 0*0; on the basis of fun2
<. $s your 'ob mainly physical strain, mental strain or both2
=. !id you know you were going to be doing this 'ob when you were our age2
0;. !oes your 'ob take any special talents2
00. !oes your 'ob seem exciting to you2
03. 7an you li)e and work anywhere in the ".S. or can your 'ob be done only in certain places2
05. Are there any limitations on your personal and+or social life because of the nature of your work2
06. 1hat are the best 'obs in your field2
08. Are there many openings for your type of 'ob now2 1ill there be in the future when $ get old
enough to choose my career2
09. 4ow would you ad)ise me to plan for my future2
0:. 1hat are some other interesting 'obs that might be related to yours2
0<. 1hat 'ob would you choose if you didn>t do what you do now2
0=. 1hat do you think are going to be good 'obs in the future2
3;. 1hat is the most satisfying thing about a 'ob2 Money2 ?acations2 7o*workers2 @etirement2
Ar what2
30. 1hat are some things you don>t like about your 'ob2
33. 7an both men and women do your 'ob2
35. !o you ha)e any hobbies2
Questions on Education and/or Training
0. !oes your 'ob re#uire a high school, community college, technical college or 6 year college
education2
3. 1hat classes or courses should $ take to prepare for this career2
5. 1hat were your fa)orite classes in school2
6. !oes your 'ob change often2 And if so, how do you update your knowledge and skills2
Questions on Working Conditions
0. 4ow many days do you work each week2
3. 4ow many hours a day2
5. !o you belong to a union2
6. 4ow are )acations awarded2 4ow long are they2
8. 1hat sort of tools do you use2 !o you ha)e to buy your work tools2
9. Are promotions possible in your 'ob and if so, what must you do for a promotion2
:. !o you e)er get transferred and can you be transferred if you don>t want to be2
<. !o you work with other people or mainly by yourself2
=. !o you work for yourself or someone2
0;. Are there any health ha&ards in your 'ob2
00. !o you work mainly indoors or outdoors2
03. !o you need any special physical characteristics to do your 'ob2
05. !o you ha)e to tra)el much in your 'ob2
Questions on Mone
0. 4ow much money do people in your type of work generally make2
3. !o you get o)ertime pay2
5. Are you paid by the hour, by a fee that you charge, by sales commission, or salary2 1hat is the
difference2
6. 1ill you recei)e a pension when you retire2
8. 4ow is your 'ob affected by the economy2
9. 1hat fringe benefits do you recei)e2