CBIA's Career Explorations

As part of the state’s school-to-career program, we’ve filmed nine videos that bring the career clusters concept to life. They’re called, “Is This You?” We took our cameras into Connecticut companies and followed young people that your kids can relate to, on the job.
     Each tape covers one of the career clusters in a fast-moving, real-world approach that your students will think is “cool.”
     For the first time, you can bring the world of work right into your schools to show how school work connects to life-work. The videos candidly explore the positives and realities of each job from the perspectives of the young people actually doing them.
     We cover some traditional jobs that everyone will recognize and some unusual careers too. And each tape includes positions requiring a high school education, some for college grads and those requiring an advanced degree. Communication skills and teamwork are also emphasized in every program. We even tell the salary ranges for each job and Web sites your students can go to for more information.

     The brand-new videos, flexible curriculum materials designed for both large- and small-group instruction, and additional online resources create a comprehensive package that may be used in a wide variety of instructional settings. We recommend that you preview the video and select those student activities in advance that best suit the needs of your students. All teacher directions are included here for your convenience. Take a Career Exploration in:

	Arts & Media		Government, Education & Human Services
	Business & Finance		Retail, Tourism, Recreation & Entrepreneurial
	Construction Technologies & Design		Technologies: Manufacturing, Communications & Repair
	Environmental, Natural Resources & Agriculture		Health & Biosciences
There is more information available for two areas where there is a very high demand: Education - http://www.state.ct.us/sde/deps/ctlearns/resources/index.htm Information Technology - Information technology Career Explorations Video Teacher's Guide for Careers in Information technology (PDF file) Student Activity Sheets for Careers in Information technology (PDF file) Industry Skills Standards for IT from the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies

     Along with the videos, we suggest asking local companies to provide speakers who can talk about career opportunities and the latest technologies being used in the workplace. Create an easy and enjoyable learning experience that can informally introduce students and teachers to various companies and industries. For example, have a company employee speak to a group of students or participate in a local job or career fair where employees can meet students informally and give them information about different companies. In any case, let students mix with employees — that’s when the learning begins.

• Students’ grade level: Appropriate for any age group when tailored to their interests and abilities.

Benefits of Career Explorations

Students will:

• Learn about different jobs and careers.

• Identify their personal interests, skills and abilities.

• Understand the variety of academic, work and communication skills that are required.

• Challenge their views of different jobs and careers.

• Understand the connection between school, work, and setting and achieving goals.

Keys for Educators

• Review and confirm event details with the company, including their expectations.

• Ask the company employee(s) to talk about today’s jobs, other career opportunities in their business or industry, the types of education and skills needed to succeed, typical work schedules, and salaries.

• If you bring students to a workplace, make sure you:

- Make the students aware of any special requirements, dress code or safety gear; and

- Provide directions, travel time and parking information.

     As part of CBIA's school-to-career initiative, CBIA along with area partners, created Career Explorations -- a series of industry-based career clusters for today's students as well as adults who may be considering career changes. We've created comprehensive, flexible curriculum materials for each industry cluster that include teacher's guides, student activity sheets, videos and brief explanations of the available jobs and salaries. The clusters are listed below. Click on each one to find out more ...

Career Explorations Industry Clusters

Activities for Students

Career Exploration

Employability Skills Training

Field Trips/ Company Tours

Job Shadowing

Internships

Externships for Educators

Mentoring

Resources for Educators

Print all activities (6 pages)

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