To Careers Week and BEYOND! Dari Pass, Lower School Counselor ACS Doha International School

Why Have a Lower School Careers Week? PSPE Standards ; American School Counselor Association Program Standards addressed and taught Strand CD - Career Development Get’s kids EXCITED about their futures! Concepts: Integration of Self-knowledge into Life and Career Plans Adaptations to world of work changes Respect for all work Career decision making Education and career requirements Personal Skills for Job Success Job Seeking Skills

When is the best time of year to have Careers Week? I schedule mine in April – do careers lessons in March

Who participates in Careers Week? At ACS, everyone! 1st – 5th grade

What Does the Counselor Do? At ACS I… Teach my careers lessons in March to support what teachers will do during Careers week in April Provide resources to teachers HELP wherever I need to! Do bulletin boards Coordinate events throughout the building

Next Step… Pick a Theme Why? It helps FOCUS the events for the week Ideas! To Careers Week and Beyond You can be ANYTHING College and Career Ready Oh the Places You’ll Go

THEME DAYS! This year we are theming it to follow our kids through their school careers: Sunday – As “Effective Learners,” students dress in their favorite subjects Monday – Pizza Day!!! Tuesday – Flip Day-Students swap roles with their teachers to showcase the “Confident Individuals” they truly are. Wednesday – Popcorn Day!!! Thursday – Career Day – Our students, “Caring Contributors” dress like their future career of choice

Expectations Each grade level has the expectation of doing a minimum of 3 careers focused activities during the week Student Council will come to me outlining ALL activities and speakers a week before so we (office staff, administrators, etc.) know what activities will be going on

Guest Speakers Send potential guest speakers the first informational letter after you have made an initial contact with them through phone or e-mail. When you have received confirmation, send follow up questionnaire to get more information about them. Also provide them with possible questions, etc. (see attached information) Make sure you have any necessarily technology available to the guest speaker My teachers do this part

Guest Speakers Things to Consider: Guests should be able to speak to children at their level Guests should be able to stay on topic Guests should be able to commit to taking the time off to participate Try to get guest speakers from all six career paths Get speakers from a variety of post-secondary options

Teacher Preparation Name Tags Class meeting with students regarding behavior expectations on career day, being good listeners, asking “smart” questions, etc. Having chairs and desks moved and classroom arranged and ready for guest speaker Have activities for the week ready

Fun Activities! Interactive Bulletin Boards Career Fair – like science fair – have students or classrooms create a science fair type project on a specific career Door decorating contest - local university themed or themed differently Videos

Resources! Where to find GREAT Ideas! Pinterest YouTube Teachers Pay Teachers Counselor Blogs A Good Ole Google Search

After the Dust Settles Have students and teachers fill out evaluation forms Send a formal thank you letter from the school to all guest speakers Have students write thank you notes to the guest speakers as well

Questions? Come see me!