GRADED PROJECT

INTRODUCTION
This project-based assignment is designed to help you define and communicate
your goals related to your field of study. This project will help you understand
the process of locating potential employers who might want to hire graduates
with formal instruction in this career field. You’ll focus on the skills, training, and
personal traits that those employers look for when recruiting job applicants. You’ll
also investigate and describe potential paths for continuing education, career
development, and enrichment. Finally, you’ll complete a sample application and
simulate the experience of formally responding to an employment opening.

One objective of this project is to help you organize your thoughts on why you’re
interested in this specific career field. Portions of this project can be used as a
dry-run for an interview that you might have as you look for employment after
graduation. Another objective is to develop an appreciation for education as a
lifelong process. In order to truly become a professional in your chosen career,
you need to view your graduation from this program as the starting point in
your education, not the conclusion. That’s why graduation ceremonies are called
commencements. It’s the beginning of the process, not the end.

Like the other assignments in your program, this assignment is also open book.
Not only is it open book in terms of your study materials, you’re encouraged to
use the Internet and any other research tool available to you to develop your
responses. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy the process of investigation, and
along the way you’ll become better prepared to look for job opportunities and to
grow throughout your career.

Before starting this project, be sure to download and save this interactive file to
your computer. You can type your answers directly in the spaces provided in this
file. As always, be sure to save your work often. Name your file with your student
number_program code and when ready, submit your finished assignment.
Detailed instructions on how to submit your assignment are provided at the end
of this booklet.

This project consists of four parts. Each part is worth a specific amount of points
as described below. Your total grade will be equal to the sum of your totals for
each part. Grading of this project will be as follows:

• Part 1: 20 points
• Part 2: 30 points
• Part 3: 25 points
• Part 4: 25 points
Total Possible Score: 100 points

Now that you understand the basic goals of your project, let’s get started.

CAREER INVESTIGATION PROJECT I

 PART 1: EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER GOALS
When you decided to enroll in this program you had a goal or objective in mind.
You may have been interested in gaining employment, changing careers, or
perhaps starting your own business. Or your goal may have involved personal
enrichment. Or maybe the education obtained from this program is one small
component of a larger career development plan that you have designed for
yourself. In two to three paragraphs describe your reasons for participating in this
career education program.

There are no right or wrong answers in this assignment. You should attempt to
describe the factors that sparked your interest in the particular career and the
factors that influenced you to seek formal education.

Here are some questions to consider while you develop your response to Part 1 of
this assignment:

• Did a family member, friend, or mentor introduce you to this career?

• Did you develop an interest in this career because of courses you took in
high school?

• What attracts you most to this career? Possible financial rewards or the
satisfaction of seeing the end result of your efforts?

• Is there something about the working conditions or potential clients that

you find interesting?

• What is your ideal employment situation? Do you want to be your own boss
or do you want to be a valued employee?
Draft your response below.

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 PART 2: EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND
APPLICATIONS OF APPLIED LEARNING
Now that you’ve considered some of the reasons why you’re attracted to your
career, your next step is to locate potential employers or identify clients or
customers that might be interested in your new skills and knowledge. Locate
any five (5) employment ads related to your particular area of study. The ads can
be from online job-search sites, newspapers, trade publications, or any other
legitimate source. Try to find a range of employment descriptions and employers.
Provide the name of the potential employer if available, but most importantly
list the job skills and employee characteristics the employer is looking for. List
any certifications or professional affiliations required to apply for employment.
If salary information is provided, include that as well. If your source is computer-
based, you can copy and paste the ad into your document.

In addition to potential employers, research and identify three (3) clients or

potential customers in your local area that you could market your new skills to
if you were to be self-employed. You can also identify three (3) other situations
where you might be able to apply the skills you have obtained.

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CAREER INVESTIGATION PROJECT 3

 PART 3: CONTINUING EDUCATION AND
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
In Part 3 of this assignment, you will investigate potential resources and
opportunities for continuing education and professional development in your
chosen area of study. You should look for educational programs that provide
instruction at a more advanced level than the program you are enrolled in now.
List the names of the institutions you find that offer these programs, the entrance
requirements (if any), and the objectives of the program. Research certifications
that are related to your field of study and instructional programs and products
that you can help you prepare for and pass required certification exams. Identify
trade and professional organizations that support professionals employed in your
field or who provide similar services. List the requirements for application and
continued membership.

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 PART 4: JOB APPLICATION DETAILS
In the final part of this project, you’ll complete a sample job application that you
can use as a quick-reference fact sheet when you apply for actual employment.
Many times applicants present a poor image to potential employers because of
missing or incomplete information on their application. If they’re not prepared,
they might have sloppy or illegible entries, misspellings, and other errors that
could cause their application to be viewed unfavorably. This assignment will give
you the opportunity to practice the process and to identify the key people, dates,
and information you’ll need to thoroughly complete an application. You’re not
required to supply any information on this sample that you feel is sensitive (for
example, you shouldn’t use your actual Social Security number). You can make
up certain information for the purpose of this exercise, but remember to create a
real version after you receive feedback from the school. You’ll want to have a final
accurate copy that you can use when you apply for an actual position. Pay careful
attention to the directions on the application and provide any information in the
order requested. Review the dates provided for your education and work history
and make sure they make sense.

CAREER INVESTIGATION PROJECT 5

 SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
MY FACT SHEET Complete and carry with you on your job search
Applicant’s Name: Social Security Number
(Last) (First) Middle Initial – –

Mailing Address: Work Telephone Number

Street ( )
City State Zip Code Home Telephone Number
( )
EDUCATION
Name of School Location of School Degree or Course of Study Date Completed

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY—Begin with your most recent job. List each job separately.
Job Title Dates Worked From __________ To __________ Pay $ ______ Per ______
Name of Employer Name of Supervisor
Address:
Street
City State Zip Code
Telephone Number ( ) Reason for Leaving
Duties Performed

Job Title Dates Worked From __________ To __________ Pay $ ______ Per ______
Name of Employer Name of Supervisor
Address:
Street
City State Zip Code
Telephone Number ( ) Reason for Leaving
Duties Performed

PERSONAL REFERENCES: List the names of three references that employers may contact.
1) Name Telephone Number ( ) Relationship:
Address:
Street
City State Zip Code
2) Name Telephone Number ( ) Relationship:
Address:
Street
City State Zip Code
3) Name Telephone Number ( ) Relationship:
Address:
Street
City State Zip Code

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