The Career Speech and Essay plays a vital role in a student's high school development. Career research develops a student's ability to think and plan for their potential beyond high school. The speech expands from a formal outline to a complete essay explaining a possible career choice. Finally, the career essay resides in the students Culminating Project file.

Career Research

   Day One: A high school counselor presents the general topic to a Freshman English classroom. Explanations provide the students with an overview of a career search on the computer program called WOIS.

   Day Two: Students research two career choices in a computer lab under the guidance of a counselor and the teacher.

   From these two foundational days students build a speech and an essay based on their own unique interestes.

Parameters for the Career Speech:

1. Students print two careers, and one will be developed as their speech and essay.

2. A one page outline will be submitted to the teacher when the speech is given.

3. Note cards are used by the student. The outlined speech appears on the cards, not written paragraphs.

4. Only the first and last sentences are memorized.

5. The speech will be three minutes in length.

6. Voice, posture, composure, and other speaking techniques will be evaluated along with the content of the speech.

Parameters for the Career Essay:

1. The essay is based on that part of the speech that relates to the chosen career.

2. The essay will be built using a variety of complex and simple sentences as well as good transitions to move between ideas.

3. A rough draft will be edited.

4. A final copy will be submitted using:

     a. Format provided by the teacher (see below)

     b. Times 12, plain font, double spaced

     c. Utilize present tense active verbs primarily

Formal Outline

I. Introduction

   Two sentences in length introducing the speaker and their career pathway.

II. Personal Anecdote(s)

   A. Information

         1. Supporting Data

         2. Supporting Data

   B. Information

         1. Supporting Data

         2. Supporting Data

III. Vocational / Career Choice

   A. Item of Interest

         1. Supporting Data

         2. Supporting Data

   B. Item of Interest

         1. Supporting Data

         2. Supporting Data

   C. Item of Interest

         1. Supporting Data

         2. Supporting Data

   D. Item of Interest

         1. Supporting Data

         2. Supporting Data

IV. Conclusion

   Two sentences in length drawing your career choice to a close. Please thank your audience.

   Although the outline presents only four items of interest with two pieces of supporting data, each speaker may adjust the outline to match their researched career.

Helpful guidelines to complete the Career Essay

Draft your paper according to this format:

• Paragraph 1: Introduction, which will include an explanation of the identified pathway and why that pathway matches up with your interests; move from personal to specific and cite a specific example of your own interests.

• Paragraph 2: Item of Interest (see Note below)

• Paragraph 3: Item of Interest

• Paragraph 4: Item of Interest

• Paragraph 5: Conclusion, which will wrap up your essay and explain why your career appeals to you and why. Include plans you have already made or will make in order to start on your path to success.

Note: Each career explanation paragraph (Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 above) will include supporting details. From your Career Speech outline each "Item of Interest" and each "Supporting Data" will form individual sentences. Make sure your paper uses a variety of complex and simple sentences as well as good transitions to move between ideas.