Unit 1
​
Jobs for American Graduates

Unit Theme and Plan

Understanding Myself, My Future, and the World of Work
Students will complete the attached file for this unit 
​Unit 1 Workbook

Activities

Teaching with E.L.O.N.  (Enriched Learning Opportunity Nexus) that seamlessly integrates AI 
Unit 1 Overview:
In this introductory unit, students will establish the foundation of their career-readiness journey by exploring personal attributes, interests, and strengths; identifying key workplace competencies and expectations; and beginning to build a career portfolio. Students will also begin to understand the wide range of post-secondary and career pathways available to them (college, technical training, military, workforce) and how their decisions now affect future opportunities.  Be sure to use the 


Unit Learning Outcomes
By the end of Unit 1, students will be able to:
  1. Reflect on and articulate their personal interests, skills, values, and strengths in relation to career and life goals.
  2. Describe the essential workplace habits and employability skills that employers expect (e.g., punctuality, communication, teamwork, problem solving, responsibility).
  3. Understand key career pathway options in the U.S. workforce and post-secondary education system (trade/technical, 2-year college, 4-year college, apprenticeships, military).
  4. Begin a digital or physical career-readiness portfolio, including a personal profile and goal-setting worksheet.
  5. Set short-term (this semester) and medium-term (this school year) goals related to career readiness and academic success.

Key Concepts & Vocabulary
  • Self-assessment
  • Employability skills
  • Career pathways
  • Work habits
  • Portfolio
  • Short-term and medium-term goal
  • Transferable skills
  • Professionalism

Learning Activities
​Lesson 1: Welcome & Class Norms
  • Introduce course purpose, expectations, and how the JAG model works.
  • Students complete a “getting to know you” activity: interests, dream job, three strengths.
  • Create a class agreement on professionalism, attendance and participation.
Lesson 2: Who Am I? – Interest and Strengths Inventory
  • Administer a career-interest inventory (e.g., self-reported questionnaire).
  • Students reflect on the results and write a short “My Strengths, My Interests” paragraph.
  • Share in pairs and discuss how interests might align with future careers.
Lesson 3: Employability Skills & Workplace Habits
  • Mini-lecture/discussion: What do employers really want? (Punctuality, teamwork, communication, initiative, etc.)
  • Group activity: Analyze sample job-scenario videos or case-studies of good vs. poor work habits.
  • Individual reflection: Which habit do I already demonstrate, which do I need to improve?
Lesson 4: Exploring Career Pathways
  • Overview of career path options: workforce entry, trade/technical schools, 2-year/4-year college, military, apprenticeships.
  • Guest speaker or virtual tour of a local business/training center (optional).
  • Students research one pathway of interest and prepare a short summary with pros/cons and requirements.
Lesson 5: Building the Portfolio & Setting Goals
  • Introduce the career portfolio: cover page, personal profile, résumé (to come later), goal sheets.
  • Students create the “Personal Profile” (name, contact info, interests, strengths, career goal statement).
  • Teach SMART goal-setting and students draft short-term (by end of unit) and medium-term (by end of year) goals.
Lesson 6: Reflection & Check-in
  • Students complete a self-reflection: What have I learned about myself? What habits do I need to work on? What pathway might interest me?
  • Teacher-led check-in: review portfolios, provide feedback, set “habit of the month” for next unit (e.g., punctuality or communication).
  • Assign homework: interview someone in their chosen pathway (family, community member, or online) and prepare questions for next class.

Assessment & Evidence of Learning
  • Completed “My Strengths/Interests” reflection paragraph.
  • Participation in class activities/discussions.
  • Portfolio: Personal Profile page plus goal sheet.
  • Career-pathway research summary (in class or homework).
  • Self-reflection worksheet at end of unit.
  • Teacher observation of work habits and participation.

Resources & Materials
  • Interest/strength inventory worksheet.
  • Video or case-study clips of workplace habits (can use YouTube, business websites).
  • Guest speaker/training center visit (if possible).
  • Portfolio binder or digital folder template (Google Drive, OneNote, etc.).
  • SMART goals worksheet.
  • Interview homework instructions.

Teacher Notes & Tips
  • Emphasize relationship-building in the first two weeks — this sets the tone for the year.
  • When students share about themselves, encourage a supportive classroom culture of growth and possibility.
  • Use real-world examples of local job sectors relevant to your region (in Hawaii: tourism/hospitality, renewable energy, healthcare, etc.) for relevance.
  • Monitor students’ engagement and intervene early if any show low motivation — this foundational unit is critical for buy-in.
  • Consider pairing students to support each other in goal-setting and portfolio development as peer-buddies.
​The following activities include AI tools that enhance student engagement, provide data-driven insights, and facilitate personalized learning. 
​AI-Integrated Learning Activities for Unit 1
AI-Integrated INDIVIDUAL Activities
1) Career Exploration Coach
AI Tool: ChatGPT (or Google Gemini) — text or voice mode
Student Directions
  1. Open ChatGPT / Gemini
  2. Paste this prompt:
  3. I’m exploring possible careers. Ask me 5 questions to help me think about my interests, strengths, and values.
  4. Do NOT suggest careers yet — just ask questions.
  5. Respond to each question in your notebook
  6. Write a list of THREE careers you might be interested in
Student Output
  • Screenshot of AI questions
  • Student-written career list & reflection
2) Industry Research Starter
AI Tool: Perplexity.ai
Student Directions
  1. Go to Perplexity
  2. Ask:
  3. What industries have the most job opportunities for teenagers and young adults in [my state/city]?
  4. Cite your sources.
  5. Write down 5 industries and one job from each
Student Output
  • Five industries + one job each (student-written)
  • Source list copied from Perplexity
3) Career Poster
AI Tool: Canva — Magic Design templates
Student Directions
  1. Choose “Career Poster” template in Canva
  2. Add your own text for:
    • Job title
    • Duties
    • Skills needed
    • Why this career fits you
Important:
Do NOT use Canva Magic Write to generate text.
You must type everything yourself.
Student Output
  • Finished poster
  • Written paragraph: “Why I chose this career”
4) Career Skill-Match Helper
AI Tool: ChatGPT
Student Directions
  1. Paste a real job description into ChatGPT
  2. Ask:
  3. Highlight the top skills employers want in this job. Then ask me which ones I already have. Do NOT add skills for me.
  4. Answer the questions yourself
Student Output
  • Highlighted skill list from AI
  • Self-written skill reflection
5) Future Vision Board
AI Tool: Canva + Bing Image Creator (DALL-E)
Student Directions
  1. Generate symbolic career images (no faces) in Bing Create:
“Create images representing [career field], growth, success, learning, and the future.”
  1. Upload to Canva
  2. Build a Career Vision Slide
  3. Write captions explaining your goals
Student Output
  • 1 vision board slide
  • Student-written captions
GROUP Activities
1) Career Path Brainstorm Wall
AI Tool: ChatGPT — Group Prompt
Group Prompt
Give us a list of 10 entry-level jobs for teenagers across different industries.
Do NOT describe them — we will figure that out.
Student Task
  • Group chooses 5
  • Research & define EACH job (no AI writing!)
  • Create sticky-note career wall
2) “Ask a Career Coach” Team Interview
AI Tool: ChatGPT Voice Mode
Group Prompt
Pretend you're a career advisor. Ask us questions about interests, strengths, and future plans. Do NOT suggest careers until we answer everything.
Student Task
  • Each student answers out loud
  • Group charts common strengths & interests
3) Local Job Market Map
AI Tools: Google Maps + Perplexity
Group Process
  • Use Google Maps to locate 10 local workplaces hiring teens
  • Ask Perplexity for industry info
  • Mark jobs on a class map
Student Output
  • Group city job map
  • Each student writes ONE business summary
4) Skills Wall Chart
AI Tool: Khan Academy AI / Khanmigo (if available) OR ChatGPT
Prompt
List workplace skills teenagers can start building today.
Ask us which ones we already have.
Group Task
  • Group identifies top 5 skills
  • Students each write an example of using one skill in real life
5) Career Exploration Gallery Walk
AI Tool: Canva Whiteboard
Group Task
  • Create a whiteboard slide with:
    • One career path per member
    • Required skills
    • Why it interests them
  • Gallery walk & feedback
Unit 1 AI Skills Developed
  • Career research with AI
  • Independent analysis
  • Responsible AI use
  • Reflection & goal setting
  • Creativity & communication
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