Possible+Ideas+for+Middle+School+Career+Day

1. Each student can complete the College-going Self-Efficacy Scale. (see article -- //A measure of college-going self-efficacy for middle school students//)
 * This is an important intervention tool to assess an individual's self-efficacy as it pertains to college attendance and completion.
 * Although results can not be used on actual day, this is a valuable tool for future interventions.

2. Have students develop a "plan of study" (see article -- //Middle grades career planning programs//)

3. Have students complete a career genogram (see Gibson article for ideas specific to middle school)

4. Use an assessment to determine student's risk level //5.// Have students use the Self-directed Search: Career Explorer (Holland) Students answer questions about their occupational aspirations or daydreams. They assess their preferences for activities, skills, and careers, and estimate their abilities in each of six areas based on John Holland's RIASEC theory. The resulting 2-letter Summary Code can be compared to a listing of over 400 jobs in the Careers Booklet, which also offers information about education, as well as resources for further career exploration.
 * Crites Career Maturity Inventory; measures maturity level with 25 statements answered "agree" or "disagree"
 * Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory; measures self-esteem with 58 items answered "like me" or "unlike me"
 * Information on both assessment can be found in //Impact of a Career Intervention on At-Risk Middle School Students' Career Maturity Levels, Academic Achievement, and Self-Esteem//
 * Helps middle school or junior high school students assess and explore interests for future education and career planning
 * Self-administered, individual or group, in just 35-45 minutes
 * Offers suggestions and resources for gaining information about a broad range of careers

6. Have student sign-up for one-day job shadowing in desired field of interest. This give the student the motivation and information needed to see if they truly are interested in this particular job. Following job shadowing will be a progress report. The student will write up and report, giving the teacher a detailed description of how their work day went. This report will be signed and dated by the job shadowee.