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Newark Memorial High School

English I
College* & Career Research
*College here is defined as any post-secondary education and/or training needed for career
development. This can include, but is not limited to certificate programs, vocational
training, 2 and 4 year degree programs, military training, and internships.

Student’s Name: __________________________________________

Outline Due: ____________________

Essay Due: ______________________

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Project Career & College Research Overview

Introduction

Over the next few weeks you will be completing a research paper. The topic will be centered
on your college and career choice(s). You will complete multiple steps as outlined in this
packet.

Topic: Careers and College Choice

You will select a career and begin to research the PATH that will lead to a successful
placement in this area.

Research Paper Requirements (MLA Standardized Format)

• 3-4 full pages typed (Double Spaced)
• 1 Works Cited page

• 12 point font: Times New Roman

• MLA format

Minimum Content Requirements for Research Paper:

1. Minimum of 4 different types of sources, which must include:

1. Primary source college website  3. Interview (In Person/Video)2  

   

2. Internet source(s)  4. Newspaper articles 

 

NO BLOGS

2. Paper must be MLA formatted (include a title page, complete table of contents, and
works cited page)

NOTE: You will be learning where to find these sources and how to create each
required section throughout the process.

Due to the nature of a research paper, you must be vigilant when citing
sources. All sources will be checked to insure no plagiarism has occurred. At
any time we may request to see any of the sources cited within your list of
works. Failure to produce a source may be considered plagiarism. Please refer
to the rubric for specific details as to how the research paper will be assessed.
Plagiarism will result in a zero on the paper.
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Research
Sources: You will need to find a minimum of four sources. Make sure your sources follow
the “ARTS” guidelines for credibility.

Authoritative

This means the source legitimately knows all about the topic and is considered an expert.

Reliable
This means the source is trustworthy. Information from the source is not biased, or
unfair.

Timely
This means the source has recently been published. The information is current.

Suitable

This means the source is related to the topic. It must contain information that will
help you write your project.

Useful Links:
Take a look at quick profiles of careers in different fields:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors-careers

This Bureau of Labor Statistics site allows you to browse through occupations based on
your interests: https://www.bls.gov/

The OCC is the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It lists hundreds of jobs and the
training, education, and outlook for employment of each job: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/

Search of employers for specific jobs and locations:

https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/jobs/find-businesses.aspx

Find out what skills you have and careers that match those skills:

https://www.careerinfonet.org/Skills/?frd=true
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Phase 1 - Career Research - Your research will produce answers to the following
questions:

1. What can you do during high school to give you an edge in being prepared for this
career?

2. What does one need to know and be able to do for this career?

3. What type of post-secondary education is needed?

4. Are there any additional certifications needed for this career?

5. What is the expected salary for this career?

6. What daily/hourly hours would one work?

7. What type of vacation can one expect?

8. What type of work does one do in this career? Are you required to work with your
hands in a physical sense or is it more with your mind?

9. Are there opportunities for advancement in this career? (Upward Mobility)

Phase 2 - College Research

You will research three post-secondary institutions that you are interested in attending.
Identify each school’s application process, a break-down of tuition and financial aid options,
and information on a minimum of five other factors that you identify as important to your
decision-making process. Below are questions you need to research:

1. What type of college is it?

2. What is the enrollment?

3. Is it urban or rural?

4. What are the admission requirements?

5. What are the tuition costs?

6. What type of major might you pursue at this college?

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7. What is a description of this major?

8. What skills are necessary to be successful in this major?

9. What high school courses are needed for this major?

10. What courses does one take at college to fulfill this major?

11. What is the study/workload like for this major?

12. What career might one go into with this major?

13. What are the viewpoints of current students in this major?

14. What questions would you ask a college admissions counselor?

15. What other majors relate to this major?

Notes Sheets
Write down the answers to your research questions on paper – these will be your note
sheets. Your note sheets should contain an MLA formatted heading, title, each question
number, along with a quote, summary or paraphrase that answers the questions, and your
thoughts as a researcher. For each source, you must use a separate sheet. Staple all the
sheets together to turn them in.
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Notes Sheet Model

Name
Teacher’s name
Class/Period
Date
Note Sheet #

Source’s MLA Works Cited entry:

Author’s last name, first name. “Article’s title in quotation marks.” Name of
the website italicized. Name of the company and Day, Month, and Year
of Publication. Medium. Date you accessed the site.

Important Details

Question #1

“If the information you gather is in the form of a quote, make sure you copy the
information word for word, paying close attention to spelling and
punctuation. If you would like to omit some information, make sure to use
[brackets and ellipses]. Be sure to use quotation marks and provide a
citation.”

My comments and additional questions:

Question #5

If you prefer, you may choose to summarize or paraphrase important specific

details rather than an exact quote.

My comments and additional questions:

 
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Outline
The ability to construct an outline for a research paper helps to ensure that your paper is
organized and logical. The outline is a required part of your research paper process. You can
use the outline below, or you can create your own outline template if you wish.

1. Start to organize your paper by placing the research you have into the outline.
2. Fill out the entire outline template below. You should exhaust all the research you
have.
3. Go back and look for sources that will help you address any areas where you did not
have enough information.
4. Use this outline to write your paper. Add body paragraphs as needed.

I. Introduction

A. General Background Information: Career and College

1.

2.

3.

B. Thesis (what concepts and details will you discuss in your work)

For college career pathway in

____________________________ begins in high school with,
___________________________________________________
continues in post-secondary with
___________________________________________________,
as well as
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________.
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II. Body Paragraph

A. Major Idea: ____________________________________

1. Supporting Detail: ____________________________________

2. Supporting Detail: ____________________________________

III. Body Paragraph

B. Major Idea: ____________________________________

1. Supporting Detail: ____________________________________

2. Supporting Detail: ____________________________________

IV. Body paragraph

C. Major Idea: ____________________________________

1. Supporting Detail: ____________________________________

2. Supporting Detail: ____________________________________

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V. Conclusion – How do you plan to follow the path you just created?

A. Restate Thesis

1. General Overview of key points: ____________________________________

B. How you plan to follow the path you just created. Include 2+ next steps.

1. ___________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________